LITR 4632: Literature of the Future

Sample Student final exams 2007

Jenna Zucha

Second Essay

Looking Beyond and Going Deeper

            The realm of the future is not limited by culture, religion, political viewpoints, or race. The future, whether it leads us into to deep space or leaves us barbecued by alien laser beams, the outcome still involves every human being. As a future teacher of literature I plan on incorporating much more literature of the future into my curriculum. I had never really considered its flexibility in ideas or its ability to allow for discussion on touchy subjects before this class. The more diverse the classroom becomes the more difficult it is to reach every person in a way that relates to their personal beliefs and backgrounds. Literature of the future offers a place were everyone is invited to explore issues and concepts of “what ifs” without the threat of offending. All the narratives pertaining to the future are set in a different time and often enough a different place, but they all address issues prominent in today’s society.

            The story Chocco is a primary example of this genre’s flexibility. The spectators and judging observers are so far removed from today’s world that concepts and the destructive tendencies being conducted now can be explored and discussed without infringing on peoples comfort zones. No one wants to be told that the things they do everyday could possibly be harming themselves and others, but if it is put in such away that illuminates the individual and replaces it with a general term like the “Machine People,” then we can discuss these issues from a distance. The distance keeps the discussion open and non-threatening. It allows room for people to agree to disagree. For some reason even though you know that the “Machine People” are really us right now, you can’t help but to think that you are not part of the people they are describing. This leads to friendly exploration, but will this constant removal from the whole lead to no change what so ever? No, I think not, as long as people are aware of the consequences and possible outcomes the improvement will happen on the individual level, even if they do not personally connect with the narratives and ideas of the future.

            This awareness and exposure is crucial to learning. Literature continues to survive because it teaches people how to think and question. The discussion of events and situations yet to come allows people to critically analyze their own lives. If you are faced with the problem of people living in space and hallucinating visions of bison running through the space ship like in the story Newton’s Sleep, then you are forced to explore the idea that humans are connected to the earth. The people in Newton’s Sleep have left their home planet and seem completely content floating around in space. This overall content is questioned when the residence of the space ship start having visions of organic materials characteristic of the planet earth like mountains, vines, rocks and other humans left behind. Are humans defined by their surroundings? Art imitates life, have humans developed art, music, poetry, all the things that distinguish humans from other animals, only out of the reflection of the earth. Newton’s Sleep also offers up the question that if humans remain in space and away form the earth will they sense humanity’s change? Perhaps something else will replace our cherished “Mont Blanc.”

            Literature of the future offers many opportunities to explore the human condition and the elements associated with this condition that have yet to be defined. The future is a realm of ideas. The most important learning occurs where no learning has occurred before.  As a soon-to-be teacher I plan to use literature of the future as a tool to not only explore issues untouchable in any other area, but also as a way to bring my students together as a true learning community. A community free from the bounds of race, economic statues, culture, and religion.  To create a place where they can truly explore their world and how it affects them in the present and in the indefinable future.