LITR 4632: Literature of the Future

Student Midterms 2011: Sample Essay 1

Jenn Tullos

22 June 2011

Apocalypse, Evolution, and Alternative Narratives: Not so Different After All

          In general, apocalyptic and evolutionary concepts are never paired together. Christians hear the word “evolution” and immediately shut down, while scientists hear of the impending apocalypse and scoff. Meanwhile, most people become skeptical when alternative futures are proposed, unwilling to deviate from that which is either widely accepted or scientifically proven. The general public seems to find comfort and stability in choosing only one, stark sense of reality. It is ironic that the world in which we live tries so desperately to separate that which literature intertwines. Throughout all of the visited texts in Literature of the Future, very few stay true to a single narrative style. Most stories merge elements of at least two styles, keeping the reader guessing as to the ultimate lasting reality. Not only does this tactic maintain a reader’s interest, it also forces people to ponder theories outside their typical preference. When individuals are introduced to all three narratives—apocalyptic, evolutionary, and alternative—they are given the opportunity to become well rounded, observing life beyond the superficial and understanding not everything is black and white. Although there are three distinctly different standard narratives, all three scatter and then come together, evolving into an interesting trinity.

          The apocalyptic narrative is linear, dramatic, and unfalsifiable. Believing in the destruction of the world followed by its restoration and sense of utopia is the stance people have accepted for the longest amount of time. “Revelation” promises the world’s devastation with beasts, fire, plagues, and judgment. There is a constant call for holy vigilance, as Jesus guarantees He will “come as unexpectedly as a thief [and] bless those who are watching for [Him]” (Rev 16.15). Despite this abrupt obliteration, like every traditional apocalyptic tale, hope quickly follows. In the case of “Revelation,” the future is already written, proclaiming that God wins the ultimate battle—despite millions being deceived—and Satan is “thrown into a fiery lake of burning sulfur…tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20.10). Meanwhile, those who were steadfast in their faith will be saved, spending and eternity united with the Lord. “Revelation” may be the most popular apocalyptic story, but Parable of the Sower also depicts the end of the world. However, this story also overlaps with evolution, proving the various narratives can weave together successfully.

          Parable is foremost an obvious apocalyptic novel. Lauren’s world is crumbling before her—crime, death, and fire running rampant. As she manipulates her journey, she remains hopeful that she will survive despite the horror and chaos worsening daily. The idea of peace following strife may be apocalyptic, but Lauren’s unlikely survival and theory that “God is change” is clearly evolutionary. While the weaker individuals are slaughtered, Lauren and her group personify “survival of the fittest” by adapting to the new environment and maintaining the exuberance for life that too many have lost. Determined to make a lasting transformation, Lauren takes it upon herself to ensure her group understands “all that you touch, you change and all that you change, changes you…God is change” (3). Apocalyptic fire and evolutionary verses blend, leaving Lauren scarred, yet changed for the better. Christi Wood explains the union of apocalyptic and evolutionary narratives in her 2009 midterm when she states “whoever survives the apocalypse will therefore evolve into the next generation or species.” Although many people separate these theories entirely, literature shows us they often thrive symbiotically.

          Purely evolutionary tales are widely scientific, generally depicting a deep future when human significance has become obsolete. However, they can also be humorous, simply portraying a journey of the adaptation of skills and traits. “Bears Discover Fire” is an example of such a story; it does not lend itself to a greater meaning or intensive thought processes. Instead, it simply shows the evolutionary process of bears discovering how to use fire to their advantage. Stories like The Time Machine, however, force us to analyze matters of higher importance, such as the class differentiation between the Eloi and the Morlocks. Time Machine is interesting in that it is both evolved and stagnant. The evolution of humans into either Eloi or Morlocks is unmistakable; yet the socioeconomic status division is no different than that we face today. The Eloi are the quintessential wealthy class, enjoying a life of luxury while the working Morlocks attend their every need. In this case, humans have evolved out of existence, while leaving behind perpetual social problems. As the Time Traveler obsesses over his ability to access fire, it becomes clear that Time Machine includes hints of apocalyptic symbolism as well as evolutionary aspects. The Time Traveler igniting the ground to ward off the impending doom of the Morlocks does not vary from the fire present in both Parable and “Revelation.” Finally, as The Time Machine is the most comprehensive of all the texts from Literature of the Future, it also débuted as the first encounter with the alternative narrative form—at least in this branch of reality.

          The third and final standard narrative is alternative, or the idea of a forking path leading to various realities. Time Machine portrays a main element to the concept of the alternative: time travel. The ability to venture between realms of reality or through space and time is a leading appeal to the alternative narrative. A delicate balance is struck between alternative and evolution in Time Machine by using alternative means to delve into the evolutionary deep future in which any human existence has disappeared. The Traveler’s journey through time automatically marks this story as alternative, but must share credit when everything witnessed therein is evolutionary. Besides time travel, the alternative narrative can best be described as a maze, branching tree, or parallel worlds in which multiple realities are occurring simultaneously. In “Garden of Forking Paths,” the narrator and Albert discuss at length Ts'ui Pên’s theory that instead of choosing only one option in life, we simultaneously choose every available option, thereby creating a “diverse future, diverse times which themselves also proliferate and fork.” This thought process provides infinite possibilities for the future, giving people more control over their destiny. The alternative narrative is appealing because of the freedom it offers—if you do not want to be destroyed in an apocalypse, there is a paralleling reality in which you survive and evolve. And yet another where the world does not end at all. The reason behind alternative success is shown when Rice, in “Mozart in Mirrorshades,” steps back in time, risking altering any chance of maintaining our present reality. However, he argues that he is not destroying anything because “history is like a tree…when you go back and mess with the past, another branch of history splits off from the main trunk” (227). The alternative narrative has a hopeful, redemptive quality similar to theories of the apocalypse: a situation may seem unbearable, but there is always a second chance.

          Unless we are in an alternative reality, differing opinions will not change the truth of the ultimate outcome. If our future destiny is an apocalypse, denying it will not deter it from occurring. Similarly, if we are simply destined to evolve until humanity disintegrates, that is what will happen. Only in at alternative reality is there the possibility that the apocalypse and evolution are alternate perceptions of the same reality. That being said, there seems to be an overwhelming societal pressure to choose one side and ignore the others, despite the literary evidence that they can intermingle gracefully. Alternative and apocalyptic realities seem farfetched to some, while evolution is based in scientific fact. However, evolution is unfeeling while an apocalyptic ending promises a fulfilled future and hope. There are attractions and downsides to all three narratives, but I think it is most important to be aware that, although the future may already be written, our present choices affect the path we take to get there.