A digression is a brief departure from the main subject of an essay or narrative. An author will use a digression to explore a topic that is only partially related to the main topic, to interject thoughts that are not totally relevant, or to add layers of complexity to inform the main topic. After a digression, the author returns to the main narrative.

Wallace uses two types of digression throughout “Consider the Lobster.” Most prominently, he uses 21 footnotes to bring up additional information. Some of the footnotes provide information that is obviously not important to understanding his essay, such as footnote 12, in which he explains why he had to go back to the airport. This footnote tells the reader why he is able to talk to Dick at the rental car location, and anticipates and explains a question the reader might have, but it does not really relate to the subject of lobsters.

Other footnotes are digressions that add to his argument in more substantial ways. Footnote 14, for example, describes a video produced by PETA that is apparently effective at proving that meat consumption related to factory farming is immoral.