In "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake," Aimee Bender paints a vivid picture of a character named Joseph, who appears to be adrift in his own thoughts when deprived of reading material. The narrator describes an experience where Joseph's intense gaze, seemingly lost in contemplation, makes those around him uncomfortable. This captures the idea of escapism through literature, highlighting how important books are for his mental engagement.

Furthermore, the narrator resorts to creative solutions to help Joseph regain focus, such as using a cereal-box panel to direct his attention to words. This suggests that Joseph's mind needs constant stimulation to tether it to reality, illustrating a deeper theme of connection to the world through language. Bender's writing evokes a sense of both empathy and awareness of the characters’ struggles with engagement and the impact of literature on their lives.