This satirical “story” by Juan José Arreola is in the form of an advertisement targeting 1940s housewives. It promotes a light metal exoskeleton which, when attached to a child’s body by means of comfortable belts, bracelets, rings, and brooches, transforms the energy of its movements into stored electricity. The story can be looked at on several levels: as a critique of the emerging consumer society (increasing use of household gadgets); as an attack on commercialism (impacting children’s lives for profit); and as a warning of the potential dehumanizing effects of technology. Themes include absurdity, consumerism, child exploitation, misuse of technology.
Baby H.P. Text / PDF (550 words)