Point of View

"American Express" is written from the third-person perspective with occasional access to Frank and Alan's individual thoughts. The narrator of "American Express" is notably indifferent, recounting events with an impartial tone. This narratorial perspective is significant because it mirrors the story's representation of time as something that renders people passive to the events of their own lives. The narrator describes Frank and Alan's lives with ambivalence, suggesting that despite (or perhaps even because of) their wealth and status, they are plagued by boredom. The impartiality of the narrator ultimately coats the entire story in a mood of ennui, suggesting that Frank and Alan have become too comfortable with their many indulgences.

Language and Meaning

The language of "American Express" is generally accessible and straightforward, another attribute of the impartial narrator. One of its defining qualities is its use of dialogue, especially between Frank and Alan...