The fascination of apocalypse: A cultural comparison of Canadian and Central European imaginations
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Date
2020-09-28
Authors
Schuhmacher, Nadja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Waterloo
Abstract
The modern time seems to be fascinated by the imagination of apocalyptic scenarios. This
master thesis aims to analyse apocalyptic fiction from authors of Canada, Austria and
Germany and draw a comparison between the subject of the stories, the linguistic style as well
as cultural implications made within the narration.
As theoretical basis the work is using cultural and historical implications in the chosen
countries as well as Klaus Vondungs theory of a ‘kupierte Apokalypse’- the apocalypse
without the biblical revelation - which builds the foundation of the analysis. The methodical
approach is using the ‘Cultural Theory’ by Mary Douglas and the ‘6 Dimension Model of
National Culture’ by Geert Hofstede to analyse cultural characteristics in the different
countries examined, and represents the question of cultural coded specifics of apocalyptic
fiction.
Five narrations form the basis of the interpretative work and represent the countries listed
above. ‘Die Arbeit der Nacht’ written by Thomas Glavinic and ‘die alarmbereiten’ by Kathrin
Röggla represent the Austrian literature; ‘Station Eleven’ by Emily St. John – Mandel and
Oryx and Crake written by Margaret Atwood stand for the Canadian literature. The last novel
‘Der Schwarm’ by Frank Schätzing is the only apocalyptic narration written by a German
author during the 21st century and is broaching the issue of a lack of German literature in this
field since the end of the last century. The analysis is showing the correlation of the cultural
background of the author and its imagination of the end of the world. It is possible to find
clear evidence of a cultural code implemented in the narrations which is showing different
point of views and various focal points.
The final chapter of the thesis is broaching the issue of literature as interpretative medium for
social issues as well as preservation of cultural and historical specifics. It is following an
application on the Corona Virus crisis during 2020 and is showing how wording is draws a
comparison between the pandemic and an apocalyptic situation.
Description
Keywords
literature, apocalypse, intercultural analysis, cultural comparison