Dystopian Climate Change Fiction

Two Examples

Abstract

A recent development in the trajectory of  science fiction in Europe  is the emergence of the so-called climate change novels in the second half of the twentieth century. The common expectation is that science fiction is a sub-genre that is oriented towards bringing  readers to worlds of thrill, surprise and wonder. However, a close reading of the two novels selected here shows that none of all this is present. J.G.Ballard'sThe Drowned World (1962) and James Bradley's Clade (2015) highlight an accelerating phenomenon taking place in different parts of the world and  causing a great of sense apprehension, awe, worry and endless controversy. The climate change is not only a favorite  topic for literature and the cinema,  but also it is  a fertile ground for rallies, activities ,conferences, meetings and serious discussions all over the world. The reason is clear enough: it is not a local or temporary phenomenon. Rather it is worldwide  and its effects are far-reaching  as they are not confined to a particular continent or region. Thus science fiction can be both entertaining and intimidating; all this consists in  the perspective through which the author presents his fictional material.The present research seeks to explore this type of fiction, its nature, tools, strategies and above all its themes and objectives. The purpose behind dealing with this multi-dimensional and infinite topic lies in the fact that  it has transcended the world of art and become  part of politics, science and human existence itself. Given all this, it is no surprise to find that scientists, politicians, social activists and distinguished figures in the fields of thought, culture, media and civil gatherings raise the same banners of combating or at least mitigating this global warming and terrible effects on mankind in general. The novels chosen here are examples representing this phenomenon of climate change and how it is an inescapable  factor threatening the very existence of mankind.  Although the two writers selected in this study  belong to different countries and continents (Ballard being British and Bradley Australian), their novels show many common points in their perspectives, apprehensions and serious messages about the future of the planet as a whole .No matter how we perceive the two works and their representative figures of scientists and ordinary people, one thing is quite clear: they share some common lines concerning man and the endless threats and challenges lurking in his way.A significant finding the study elaborates  is that the subject of climate change should have the priority and paramount emphasis in any activity or  resolution whether from local or international organizations. As regards the methods used throughout the study, they will  essentially  capitalize on the close reading of the two texts as well as the biographical information which might illuminate some aspects of the novels in question. The critical judgments and views do provide indispensable help for explicating  the ramifications and diversity of the topics and their implications. A further point that will receive due attention is the fact that though the two novels have the same ever-present concern about the planet's hazy state, they  reveal a different judgment of what is going on. In Ballard's case, the overall impression gleaned from his novel as well as his other novels is that there is an unmistakable sense of resignation to the status quo and mounting despondency about the future of human existence. In contrast, Bradley's novel maintains a ray of hope, however meager it might be. Science in the second novel is perceived to be the only valid weapon man can wield in his fierce battle with the natural conditions and their inevitable inflictions. If we leave aside the similar themes of  the two novels, it is possible to notice that Bradley's novel has interesting technical aspects which are not there in Ballard's fiction. The symbolic and suggestive language of Bradley's novel is certainly a point that the reader or the specialist cannot fail to perceive and enjoy in a suffocating setting. In short, the uncanny worlds of the two novels provide the reader with an opportunity to meditate in a world that has gone awry.The article comprises the following sections. The abstract provides some remarks about the significance of the topic chosen as well the objectives behind writing this topic. The introduction raises different points related to the scope of the material ,its definition, objectives, justifications behind choosing the two novels methodology used throughout, relevance of the topic to our contemporary life and what distinguishes the present from earlier ones. It is hoped that the present reading of the two novels in the light of the umbrella term (climate change fiction) may contribute to existing literature as far as this point is concerned.