Exploding Empire: Post/Apocalyptic Representations 1979-2016
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2017-05
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English
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
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Exploding Empire: Post|Apocalyptic Discourse 1979-2016, is a cross-medial, transnational study of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic narrative representations in the United States, Canada, England, and Japan. In particular, this dissertation examines the antagonistic relationship such discourse has to empires and the history of imperialism. The vertical bar in “Post|Apocalyptic” indicates that the term refers to both apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic discourses. I chose that character to reinforce the significant conceptual overlap among different media forms (novels, films, video games) and sub-genres (post-apocalyptic, science fiction, horror). This dissertation responds to the common critique of post|apocalyptic discourse, posited by critics from Susan Sontag to Naomi Klein, that it primarily atrophies political activity and fails to provide meaningful social criticism. This dissertation argues that while some forms of post|apocalyptic discourse can reinforce hegemonic beliefs, post|apocalyptic narrative forms can also contribute to rational-critical debate within the public sphere and help foster awareness of global concerns, such as climate change. This dissertation focuses on Octavia Butler’s 1980s and 1990s prose fiction, Japanese animation during the 1990s, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, the trans-national films of Guillermo Del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón, and the game The Walking Dead from Telltale Studios.
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Apocalypse, Empire, Science fiction
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