The End of the World: Apocalypse and Its Aftermath in Western CultureOur fear of the world ending, like our fear of the dark, is ancient, deep-seated and perennial. It crosses boundaries of space and time, recurs in all human communities and finds expression in every aspect of cultural production - from pre-historic cave paintings to high-tech computer games. This volume examines historical and imaginary scenarios of apocalypse, the depiction of its likely triggers, and imagined landscapes in the aftermath of global destruction. Its discussion moves effortlessly from classic novels including Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake, to blockbuster films such as Blade Runner, Armageddon and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Lisboa also takes into account religious doctrine, scientific research and the visual arts to create a penetrating, multi-disciplinary study that provides profound insight into one of Western culture's most fascinating and enduring preoccupations. |
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The End of the World: Apocalypse and Its Aftermath in Western Culture Maria Manuel Lisboa No preview available - 2011 |
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achieved Adam and Eve aftermath albeit alien already animal annihilation apocalypse arguably Armageddon Atwood becomes beginning Berger blind Brave New World Brother cataclysm century chapter Chrysalids civilization course culture danger death defined desire destroyed Dick Dick’s disaster discussed dream dystopia Earth Abides echoes enemy example existence extermination extinction Fahrenheit 451 Fail-Safe fear Figure film Findley future Genesis Handmaid’s Tale heaven Holocaust horror human Huxley’s imagine John King Kong Kraken Wakes live London Midwich Cuckoos Morlocks namely narratives of apocalypse never Nineteen Eighty-Four novel nuclear Orwell Oryx and Crake paradoxically Perfect Day Levin planet plot political possibility post-apocalypse problem protagonist reality Revelation robots rule Saramago scenarios science fiction Seventh Seal social Soviet species status quo story Sturluson survival survivors thing Triffids Trouble with Lichen Truman Show ultimately universe utopia vampires World Huxley Wyndham