In "Station Eleven," the author Emily St. John Mandel explores the themes of disappointment and disillusionment in adulthood. Characters find themselves living a life that feels predetermined, often marked by societal expectations and responsibilities such as mortgages and children. This leads to a sense of entrapment, where individuals like Dan appear to be stuck in roles they never truly desired, merely going through the motions of their daily lives.

The quote highlights the idea that many people live as "high-functioning sleepwalkers," unable to recognize their dissatisfaction with their circumstances. Although Dan may not consciously acknowledge his unhappiness, there are countless others who share similar experiences. The narrative captures this struggle of wanting to break free from an unfulfilling life yet feeling confined by obligations, evoking a poignant sense of melancholic reflection on the paths we choose or are forced to take.