The end of the world : apocalypse and its aftermath in Western culture /

Lisboa, Maria Manuel, 1963-

The end of the world : apocalypse and its aftermath in Western culture / Maria Manuel Lisboa. - 1 online resource (xxv, 194 pages) : illustrations

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-186) and index.

Prologue -- 1. Apocalypse now and again -- 2. The world gone M.A.D. -- 3. And then there was nothing: is the end ever really the end? -- 4. Falling out with Hal and Hester -- 5. Dying of happiness: Utopia at the end of this world -- Afterword: Libera me, Domine, de vita æterna.

"Our fear of the world ending, like our fear of the dark, is ancient, deep-seated and perennial. It crosses boundaries of space and time, recurs in all human communities and finds expression in every aspect of cultural production - from pre-historic cave paintings to high-tech computer games. This book examines historical and imaginary scenarios of Apocalypse, the depiction of its likely triggers, and imagined landscapesin the aftermath of global destruction. Its discussion moves effortlessly from classic novels including Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake, to blockbuster films such as Blade Runner, Armageddon and The Terminator. The author also takes into account religious doctrine, scientific research and the visual arts to create a penetrating, multi-disciplinary study that provides profound insight into one of Western culture's darkest and most enduring preoccupations."--Publisher's website.


English.

9781906924522 190692452X 9781906924614 1906924619 9781906924621 1906924627 2821817088 9782821817081 9781906924508 1906924503

2019467811


End of the world in literature.
Apocalypse in motion pictures.
End of the world.
RELIGION--Christianity--Literature & the Arts.
LITERARY CRITICISM--Science Fiction & Fantasy.
Cultural studies.
Film, TV and radio.
Literature and literary studies.
Literature: history and criticism.
Society and culture: general.
Society and social sciences Society and social sciences.
The arts.
Apocalypse in literature.


Electronic books.

PN56.E63

809.93382