|
(2016
premidterm assignment) Model Student Midterm answers 2016 (Index) Essay 1: Compare, contrast, and evaluate Narratives of the Future |
 |
Christa Van Allen
Telling Tales of Tomorrow
Literature of the Future is one of the strangest, but most engaging
classes I have ever had the pleasure to participate in, and the primary
narratives lend themselves to that excitement. So far we have had extensive
discussions on Creation/Apocalypse, and Evolution Narratives, with Alternative
Future lessons soon to follow. Time has always fascinated humankind and so,
along with fantasy, time tasking stories continue to grow in popularity. I think
that this may be due to the natural allure of the unknown.
Of the narratives so far discussed I find myself less assured in the
Creation/Apocalypse genre. The linear pattern is understandable and expectant
because of the comparatively short scale, roughly 6,000 to 10,000 years, but the
overarching ether and old English writing has caused me to stumble over
interpretations. Ironically because the story of Adam and Eve is so simple, I
feel like we’re not being told the whole story, and I’m left with questions. It
is perhaps put best within Jesus’ words during the ‘Little Apocalypse’,
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my
words shall not pass away”. Words need not change to have their meanings
transform.
I believe that despite its necessity for a longer time scale up in the
billions of years, evolution narratives devote more time to slow progression and
explanation, complex enough that questions are answered immediately or through
patience. Because it relies on a theory of change, Narratives that follow this
way of storytelling can acknowledge possible theories and transformations or
even admit when they are wrong. The dog-eat-dog, and adaptable ideology of
Darwin are well-known in modern society, so it is fairly reasonable to presume
their continued use in future narratives of various genres. One can even argue,
that the bible itself incorporates some ideals of evolution, as Melissa
Holesovsky, mentioned in her 2015 midterm submission,
“Though the book of Genesis begins with
the inspiring story of creation, the expulsion of Adam and Eve resulting in
their “rebirth” as worldly beings is both apocalyptic and evolutionary”.
 |
 |
|