The Unbroken Spine: An Analysis

Famous film director and entrepreneur George Lucas once said, “technology keeps moving forward, which makes it easier for the artists to tell their stories and paint the pictures they want”. Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, contradicts Lucas’s opinion by organizing a plot that involves a secret “bibliophile cult” (113), the Unbroken Spine, and their quest to solve the Founder’s Puzzle. Aldus Manutius, the founder of the Unbroken Spine, composed the Codex Vitae without the use of technology, but with the help of Griffo Gerritszoon and his handmade typeface. When decoded, the Codex Vitae will hold the key to eternal life for all members of the Unbroken Spine. When Clay Jannon gets a job at Penumbra’s bookstore, he is intrigued
Technology is allowing us to understand and learn concepts that we never thought were possible. Medical breakthroughs, higher education and increased energy efficiency account for a small fraction of the impact that increased technology has on our society. For Clay, the use of technology allowed him to notice references in Clark Moffat’s, The Dragon Song Chronicles: Volume III, that he never noticed before. While listening to the audio tape of the book, Clay realizes that Moffat indirectly references Mr. Penumbra and the Unbroken Spine in his writing. As a result, Clay admits that “It took me hearing them to get it”(265), substantiating technologies role in helping Clay Understand Moffat’s message. Audio tapes is not the only way that technology can help a person understand something. I find pictures, video clips and audio tapes all assist me in understanding different material. Especially within the classroom, I can grasp the learning material better when a visual presentation is exhibited. In science classes, having the ability to watch video’s makes the topics being discussed more coherent for me. Technology’s impact on society is allowing us to comprehend information in a more efficient and faster