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Hopeless Decade: Post-apocalypse Literature in the Wake of 9/11

Hageman, Elizabeth R.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1429216974

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, English.
An examination of four specific post-apocalyptic works, produced following the attack on the World Trade Center, illustrates an increase in pessimism in three specific types of social situations: biological, religious, and heritage. Examining each novel’s word choice, connotation, and tonal establishment indicates how this harsh realism manifests itself as hopelessness. Examinations like this reveal new insight into this specific time frame. The works that I have examined and identified as examples of this stark decrease in optimism include The Road by Cormac McCarthy; Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood; Wool book 1 by Hugh Howey; and Immobility by Brian Evenson, all of which are compared with the early classically optimistic work Earth Abides by George Stewart from 1949. By utilizing both media archeological techniques and historical approaches it becomes clear that the events of 9/11 altered the American mindset for just over a decade, resulting in a marked decline in hope. Focusing on the shift in writing in the post-apocalypse genre reveals an understanding of the American reaction to this historical event.
James Boehnlein, Dr. (Advisor)
57 p.
American Literature; American Studies; Literature
Cormac McCarthy; Margaret Atwood; Post-apocalypse; historicism; media archeology; hope

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hageman, E. R. (2015). Hopeless Decade: Post-apocalypse Literature in the Wake of 9/11 [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1429216974

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hageman, Elizabeth. Hopeless Decade: Post-apocalypse Literature in the Wake of 9/11. 2015. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1429216974.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hageman, Elizabeth. "Hopeless Decade: Post-apocalypse Literature in the Wake of 9/11." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1429216974

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.