The Gospel from Outer Space: Apocalypse, America, and Science Fiction in the novels of Kurt Vonnegut
This dissertation is inspired by the realization that the writings of Kurt Vonnegut constitute, above all, an apocalyptic message. This message is apocalyptic in the purest essence of the term; that is, it intends to reveal to its audience a new philosophy that may allow them to deal with the hardsh...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis doctoral |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2023 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) |
| Repositorio: | Docta Complutense |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/88216 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/88216 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | 821.111(73)Vonnegut, Kurt1.09(043.2) Kurt Vonnegut Filología inglesa 5505.10 Filología |
| Sumario: | This dissertation is inspired by the realization that the writings of Kurt Vonnegut constitute, above all, an apocalyptic message. This message is apocalyptic in the purest essence of the term; that is, it intends to reveal to its audience a new philosophy that may allow them to deal with the hardships of life and gain hope in the possibility of a better future.When Vonnegut’s work has been analyzed under the rubric of apocalypse, this analysis has often been ascribed to what Elizabeth K. Rosen terms a “modern” vision of apocalypse as a narrative of despair. Thus, the many dystopian contexts, end-of-the-world scenarios, and cataclysmic conflagrations that punctuate his novels have generally been read as a sign of pessimism coming from a nihilistic author who believes humanity to be irrevocably doomed to self-destruction. However, I propose that a deeper examination that deconstructs Vonneguts’ themes and motifs in the light of his personal philosophy as outlined in his multiple non-fiction writings, interviews, and public speeches, reveals that rather than a modern apocalypticist of despair, the author is indeed what Rosen would term a traditional apocalypticist: one that imagines the worst because he believes in the possibility of something better. Beyond the misleading stereotypes of current popular culture, apocalypse is indeed a doctrine of hope, and Vonnegut’s constant allusions to physical, social, and mental breakdown are an admonition of what may come unless humanity realizes its own potential to create a fairer, more humane society. The means to unlock the door to this inherent creative potential is precisely the essence of Vonnegut’s apocalyptic message... |
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