Explore the significance of the emptiness of modern life in this extract

Within this extract, the emptiness of modern life is characterised as life without purpose or meaning; namely a spiritual emptiness resulting from being engulfed by the pressures of societal suburban expectations. Yates portrays the hollowness of modernity through the relationship between Frank and April Wheeler, utilising the dynamic between them to highlight the fear and panic which accompanies feelings of emptiness, which is perhaps emphatic of the tensions resulting from the Cold War in the 1950s. Added to this, Yates additionally underlines the idea that feelings of emptiness result in a self-imposed isolation from society in order to establish a mark of difference, and in such difference, find purpose and fulfilment. This removal the self from suburban society acts as an endeavour to establish a clear ‘truth’, and thus meaning to life, in order to dispel feelings of emptiness. 
A recognition of the perceived emptiness of modern life brings with it a palpable sense of panic and trepidation, emotions which are focalised through the character of Frank, and specifically through his direct speech. The preponderance of rhetorical questions within Frank’s speech is emphatic both of the emptiness of modern life, and his response to this emptiness. The repeating of questions which are never answered seemingly underlines the emptiness of modern life with their lack of reply, but additionally creates a sense of purposelessness. Frank’s questions become negligible in the face of his panic, which dismisses any opportunity for an answer. This also serves to imbue Frank’s statements with a clear sense of uncertainty in the face of such vacuity. The statement, ‘I mean isn’t it?’ directly points to this, with the rhetorical question demonstrating Frank’s irresolution, and the panic which accompanies this. He is demanding April’s affirmation in order to give his questions purpose, but his fear refuses to allow space for such endorsement. His fear of emptiness is such that he cannot allow for a pause which signifies a lack. Indeed, Yates’ ‘piling on’ of rhetorical questions means that structurally, empty space on the page is refused. This idea of a lack of purpose linking to the emptiness of modern life is also shown through Frank’s domination of the dialogue. Much like his rhetorical questions, Frank is filling the perceived ‘emptiness’ of suburban life with empty rhetoric. Frank’s panic in response to the emptiness of modern life fills up this vacancy, but, crucially, detracts from any sense of defined purpose, and therefore merely propagates an aimless exhaustion.