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(2015
midterm assignment) Model Student Midterm answers 2015 (Index) Essay 1: Compare, contrast, and evaluate Narratives of the Future |
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Zach Mayfield
The Beat Goes On
Historically, futuristic literature tends to emerge during the decline or the
decay of an empire or a paradigm shift. In the case of the book of Revelation,
it was during a time when Christians were being suppressed by the Roman empire.
John of Patmos’s writing kept the Christian faith focused as they waited for
Jesus to return, along with providing comfort to those oppressed. These early
Christians believed our world was supposed to come to a screeching halt with
Christ’s literal return, and this apocalyptic fantasy still prevails within many
modern Christian communities. In fact, the fantasy of escape or destruction
during the end of the world is a recurring theme within most genres of
futuristic literature. I should make the distinction that while not all
futuristic literature is inherently apocalyptic, the genres we have studied in
class seem to share similar themes, and each genre explores these nightmare
fantasies through different veins. Through the course of my studies, I’ve found
that these themes are cyclical in not only apocalyptic literature, but different
aspects of futuristic literature as well. My argument is that creation and
destruction are cyclical, that things are always in flux, and people/things have
to learn to re-adapt accordingly. I would like to explore how these ideas
evolve, and also give some consideration as to what makes some of the ideas
timeless.
Focusing specifically on the creation/apocalypse aspect, especially in regard to
the Bible, I would like to make known that there are actually several cyclical
apocalypses throughout it, especially in the Old Testament, where we see the
unraveling of order, descending back into chaos, and then into order again. The
first of these apocalypses comes from the story of Noah, whom God chooses to
save while He floods the earth, cleansing it of humanity and sin. Another
apocalyptic scenario comes from the story of the destruction of cities of Sodom
and Gomorrah, where only Lot and most of his family are spared as fire and
brimstone lay waste among the cities. Even with the transition to the book of
Exodus, there is an apocalypse of sorts with the plagues that God sends forth
upon the Egyptians for refusing to free the Jews. It is important to note the
restoration of order that comes after each of these “mini-apocalypses”, which is
inherently satisfying to read because it provides an antidote for humanity’s
chaos, which is part of what makes this kind of genre timeless. Adding to this
timelessness is the way humanity often looks for a savior of sorts, someone who
will rescue and alleviate them from their times of trial. Historically, people
have always yearned for this, so it’s an idea that resurges in various parts of
the world and in different cultures, usually where there is great oppression or
poverty, which is timeless in and of itself. Violence can also easily emerge out
of these circumstances as well, which can be both exciting and terrifying. For
the oppressed, there may very well be a sense of catharsis through violence and
destruction. Creation/apocalypse differs from evolutionary narratives because
there is no room to evolve--there is an expiration date set on humanity. It also
differs from alternative literature in that the idea of fate does not mesh with
the idea of alternate realities and infinite possibilities; there is one God,
one Earth, and one timeline.
However, Katherine Fellows states that, “These three narratives of the futures …
are not entirely exclusive; as shown by Parable of the Sower, two or more
primary narratives can be interwoven to form a preferred storyline.” Here,
Fellows is speaking about the mergings of a creation/apocalypse style of
narrative with an evolutionary one. Parable of the Sower has very strong
biblical references. Lauren’s neighborhood could be seen as a parallel to the
Garden of Eden, and her father’s books are akin to the Fruit of Knowledge of
Good and Evil. It can be argued that once Lauren is made aware of what could
potentially happen to her home, she is then forcibly cast out when it is
destroyed. Lauren’s journey to Acorn is akin to the book of Exodus where the
Israelites were led to their promised land. Finally, it could be argued that
Lauren could actually be considered Christ-like with her hyperempathy. Where the
narratives differ, however, is that Lauren’s knowledge actually saves her, and
she herself is not directly responsible for the destruction of her neighborhood.
Eve was punished for her curiosity, and was forced to leave so that she and Adam
could make it on their own. While Parable of the Sower is essentially a
recycled version of Genesis adapted for a different audience (and therefore
timeless), Butler’s novel is very distinct in the fact that there are elements
of change and evolution involved in the setting. The climate has changed
distinctly, and it appears as if most all of North America has fallen into a
dog-eat-dog world, where only the most able and clever people can survive. An
example of this kind of adaptation can be something as simple as Lauren being
shown how to make acorn bread, a skill that apparently only she and her father
knew how to make. Wheat is too expensive, so she learns to adapt to her
environment.
This is the case of “Bears Discover Fire”, which is strictly evolutionary in
regard to narratives of future literature, bears apparently learn how to start
small fires to use as torches or campfires. There is a brief mention that the
climate may be a bit warmer than it has been, but nothing life-altering. One
theory is that bears have discovered fire so they will not have to hibernate
anymore, thereby changing the way they live and interact with their environment.
This presses an issue for human beings as well, as they will have to adapt to
the bears’ newfound knowledge of controlling fire. “Bears Discover Fire” is an
almost whimsically believable story in which evolution happens very subtly, yet
suggests that our planet and its life forms are constantly readjusting. “Bears
Discover Fire” can also be seen as an adapted retelling of the story of
Prometheus, who brings fire down from heaven for humans to use. While nobody is
punished for all eternity like Prometheus was, it does contribute to the
timelessness of fire as an element, and how it has always been used in advancing
human society.
Finally, focusing in on alternative futuristic literature, it should be noted
that this sub-genre is fairly modern in terms of writing and corresponds with
human beings’ understanding of time and nature as we know it. However, the
timeless part of alternative realities lies in man’s obsession to turn back time
and redo our mistakes. Humankind has yearned for the opportunity to do this
since the Fall. In the science fiction short story “Mozart in Mirrorshades”,
different alternative realities divulge from a specific splitting-off point,
seemingly for the purpose of exploiting the past so as to use its resources in
“real time”. Everything in this story is cross-contaminated by the linking of
alternate realities via portals. In regard to flux and change, this is the
take-all. In a world where this kind of time travel is possible, humanity will
simply change reality on a much grander scale with more immediate impact.
As I stated previously, futuristic literature tends to emerge during the decline
or the decay of an empire or a paradigm shift. From religious prophecies to
science fiction, one can rest assured that we are always in some sort of cycle,
since time never really does stand still. According to Parable of the Sower’s
Lauren, God is change. As long as humankind is around, our imaginations will
continue to work and give us some template for what the future may hold. Whether
it comes to pass or not, humankind can always rest assured that the clock is
always ticking, and the beat goes on.
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