The archetypal situation of nature vs. the mechanistic world often implies that nature is good while society and technology are evil. While technology advances nature suffers as individuals try to always improve society neglecting the consequences of their actions. In fiction and in non-fiction satirical elements expose faults in a society by using humour and exaggeration as a lens through which the world can reflect on itself. The archetype of nature vs. mechanistic world uses satirical aspects to portray technological advances that lead to the obliteration of humanity, nature and social classes.
Human flaws and the desire for technological advancement leads to the destruction of humanity. The poem Binsey Poplars by Gerard Hopkins portrays the author’s sadness with how easily humans can destroy the natural world without realizing the implications of their actions. He begins the poem by saying, “My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled” showing that he is grieving for destruction of the delicate trees (Hopkins 1). The poem continues and he says, “but a prick will make no eye at all, where we, even where we mean to mend her we end her” (15-17). The author is comparing the Earth to a vital organ, the eye to compare the fact that they are both delicate. Hopkins is conveying the message that by destroying the landscape, no one will be able to see the beautiful scenery as a punishment for everyone’s actions. In the novel, Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, Crake tries to eliminate the external causes of death such as; disease, warfare, and also over population with the use of a birth control pill. Atwood portrays greed as a human characteristic as humans do not reflect on the possible repercussions of their decisions. For example...
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...ave the capability. According to Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony, “there is a decentralized form of power that resists overall controls” (University of Michigan). This means there is a dominant group that has social, cultural and economic influence on individuals below them. In Oryx and Crake, biotechnology companies assert their dominance over the plebes by making them live the crime-ridden pleeblands while they live in luxurious compounds. Modern technology’s expansion has a significant effect on the social classes within a society.
The archetype of nature vs. mechanistic world portrays technology is evil through the use of satire as it ultimately results in the end of nature, humanity and societal thought. In fiction and non-fiction several satirical elements portray faults in society and use exaggeration and humour to stress an important point.
Such controlled environments provide examples of humanities belief that it is more sophisticated and indeed more powerful than the wild. Despite being written some fifty years apart both Brave New World By Aldous Huxley and Blade Runner Directed by Ridley Scott present the same message. Both texts argue that with advancing technology humanity feels itself more sophisticated and more powerful than the natural rhythms of the world. However, at the same time aspects represented in each text point out that Humanity can never be completely isolated from nature.
The first 11 lines show this, but more specifically, lines 3-6 and 9-11 portray it the most. Lines 3-6 say that the world is “full of guilt and misery, and hast seen enough of all its sorrows, crimes, and cares, to tire thee of it, enter this wild wood and view the haunts of Nature.” This tells the reader that once one is fed up with the feelings that civilization gives them, they can go into nature. Once they realize how corrupt society really is, nature will be there. “Thou wilt find nothing here of all that pained thee in the haunts of men and made thee loathe thy life.” Lines 9-11 tells the readers that nature is not like civilization; nature is good and that one will not find the corruption of civilization in nature, they will not find the things that made them fed up. In nature, one will find the “wantonness of spirit”, but in civilization, one will find the “haunts of men”. In civilization, one will find problems that they think they cannot solve; in nature, one will find the answers to those same
In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, truth and happiness are falsely engineered to create a perfect society; the belief of the World Controllers that stability is the the key to a utopian society actually led to the creation of an anti-utopian society in which loose morals and artificial happiness exist. Huxley uses symbolism, metaphors, and imagery to satirize the possibiliy of an artificial society in the future as well as the “brave new world” itself.
Nature is presented positivity as a force of innocence and truth, while technology is destructive and dull. While in the countryside, Montag witnesses the natural world and becomes enlightened in the unspoilt environment. It is only when he is surrounded by nature he has the ability to think and feels free. When Faber speaks to Montag he tells him to look in nature and items from the past for awareness and detail:
Satirical writing allows the author to express his or her opinion about a problem in society. A writing must follow three rules in order for it to be classified as satirical. First, a continuous focus on one’s subject’s faults. Secondly, instead of telling the reader directly, information must be given indirectly. Thirdly, the writing must have a variety of satirical techniques in general (Festa). With these simple guidelines, an author can demonstrate his beliefs of what he thinks needs to be changed in society.
M.T Anderson’s novel Feed gives readers a representation of a future dystopian world, one in which technology is not simply around us yet embedded inside our heads. Anderson gives a warning for our own society by drawing parallels between our society and the feed. As Anderson describes, "Everything's dead. Everything's dying." (Anderson 180). In this dystopian world, the environment turns into a disaster due to how rapidly technology is advancing, and this concept can relate to our society today. Indeed, society’s life has improved over the decades due to technological advances, however, it brings more damage to the earth.
Kurt Vonnegut’s science fiction, short story, “Harrison Bergeron” satirizes the defective side of an ideal, utopian American society in 2081, where “everyone was finally equal” (Vonnegut 1). When you first begin to read “Harrison Bergeron”, through an objective, nonchalant voice of the narrator, nothing really overly suggests negativity, yet the conclusion and the narrator's subtle description of the events show how comically tragic it really is. Vonnegut’s use of morbid satire elicits a strong response from the readers as it makes you quickly realize that this scenario does not resemble a utopian society at all, but an oppressive, government and technology-controlled society. “A dystopian society is a
...ndaries, overpower nature and therefore control society, will result in adverse affects. Both creators, ultimately lost control of their creations; representing their loss of power and both creators attempting to play God faced death from their creations. Human nature embodies rationality and passion and also undeniably, the lust for power and control. Humans and “artificial” humans are seen to convey these elements. However, challenging the heirarchy will only lead to corruption and destruction of the individual and society.
afford to mock the idea that the world must be completely good, and he satire
Literature is often used to convey messages to their audience, through art, play or poetry. Whether it is intentional or not, an author can not help to include some aspect of the political events that happened during that time period. Two movements discussed in this essay are Enlightenment (17th – 18th Century) and Romanticism (18th – 19th Century) and through literature, we come to acknowledge the presence and representation of evil and how they shape society. Enlightenment thinkers value reason, rationality and moderation, whereas Romanticism encouraged imagination, emotion and individual sensibility. Tartuffe by Moliere demonstrates all of the Enlightenment values in his play, whereas Frankenstein by Mary Shelley emphasizes emotion, passion and the natural world. This essay will explore ways in which human reason and society can be evil and deceiving; although some individuals may think that evil is instilled in us from the day we were born.
Many of Ray Bradbury’s works are satires on modern society from a traditional, humanistic viewpoint (Bernardo). Technology, as represented in his works, often displays human pride and foolishness (Wolfe). “In all of these stories, technology, backed up by philosophy and commercialism, tries to remove the inconveniences, difficulties, and challenges of being human and, in its effort to improve the human condition, impoverishes its spiritual condition” (Bernardo). Ray Bradbury’s use of technology is common in Fahrenheit 451, “The Veldt,” and The Martian Chronicles.
Technology is the ultimate tool to find almost anything that you are curious about. Technology can be used as a great tool for learning new things, but at the same time technology can be used in a negative manner. In the two stories “The Veldt” and “In Another Country” technology is used in the sense for making life much worse. The authors of the two short stories use technology to show that it is detrimental to society because it keeps society from being together.
Men are strong and powerful human being’s, but does nature defeat them? In all through these three pieces that Edgar Allen Poe and Herman Melville wrote it is proven that nature is stronger than man. It is shown that in every aspect that nature is too over powering for man to handle. The factor of nature being strong, dangerous and unpredictable at the same time is too much for any man or any manmade object to overcome. The power of nature does defeat man in every way; it cannot be stopped or slowed down no matter what is done to prepare for it. When people think of man, they think of carefree living with no problems other than other human beings, but truth to be told, the power of nature is what is in control and will always be in control as long as man remains alive on this powerful and unpredictable planet.
...cieties, which are dreadful, dysfunctional societies. The citizens appear happy and in harmony; however, their joy is a façade because it is reinforced by science. These societies aim to achieve happiness and harmony through different technological means. Modern-day societies and governments use the media, legislation, and consequences to accomplish their goals, such as equality, harmony, and more. Although, Brave New World and The Twilight Zone reflect extreme utopian societies, they aim to warn people of the following risks: the power of science, the influence of beauty and youth, the function of the government, and more.
Poems by John Betjeman John Betjeman writes interesting and contrasting poems, most of which are very personal and a recollection of his past. He is a vivid poet and never fails to set his scenes well. He always includes as much detail as possible and his poems are oozing with creative writing. 'Indoor games Near Newbury' is about a boy, maybe himself, going to a party and meeting a young beautiful girl.