Infection

One of the earliest themes explored by the novel is that of a viral or parasitic infection. This theme is present through many works of science fiction and in particular is commonly explored in the works of William S. Burroughs, and usually is paired with some kind of alien invasion. In the case of this particular virus, language has become corrupted and is the source of the contagion. It is important to keep in mind that Burroughs does not insist that language itself is the problem, but instead the way in which language is utilized in modern society, which when coupled with technologies just emerging in the early 60s, became agents for the rapid spread of what Burroughs considered to be vulgar and corrupt. This infection, according the to author, was driving humanity towards certain destruction, and the only way to combat it is to use the cut-up...