Despite this preoccupation with the complex nature of identity, his focus as an artist is often boiled down by commentators.
Despite his preoccupation with facts, Hainey is telling us about his dead father; he cannot be expected to write with much objectivity, and what he writes is raw.
Not only, as we did not know then, was President Obama in the midst of the operation that would lead shortly to Osama bin Laden's killing; it was also the night when, despite that preoccupation, the President took apart Donald Trump, plastic piece by orange part, and then refused to put him back together again.
But, even as he bristled and grumbled, Conrad surely recognized that, despite the preoccupation of some admirers with the islands he had glimpsed and the storms he had survived, things were also looking good for the prophecy he had set down twenty years before: "This is my creed.
Despite societal preoccupation with doing what you love, the IRS looks for elements of personal pleasure or recreation as one indication your "business" is really a hobby.
And despite its preoccupation with golf, the resort offers plenty of other sporting options in its mammoth recreation center, which boasts eight tennis courts, an indoor pool and squash and racquetball courts, as well as aerobics, yoga and strength-training classes.
Despite the preoccupation with fighting the Qing, the Zheng family was concerned with aboriginal welfare on Taiwan.
Alexios inevitably realized the importance of having his own fleet, and despite his preoccupation with land operations, he took steps to re-establish the navy's strength.
It was jagged, impressive and confusing, not least because Oz, despite his preoccupations with youthfulness, looks every one of his 49 years when he is out of makeup and the bags beneath his eyes are unconcealed.
The narrator's humanity is apparent, despite his horrifying preoccupation.
