Time Manipulation: A Comparative Study of Asimov and Marker

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The Last Question by Asimov depicts its narrative through a short story and utilizes time in one direction. Asimov is a proponent of the ingenuity of man moving forward, the end of the world is a natural problem and as time goes on man is more and more equipped along with AC to solve the issue. In La Jetee, Marker blurs the lines of film and literature through the use a photo novel. Marker uses a bidirectional timeline that is cyclical and capable of trapping man as opposed to only moving forward. Both authors thus use time manipulation in order to make statements on the condition of mankind. Asimov, being a proponent of hard science fiction, presents the future with endless opportunities, whereas Marker uses the photo novel to illustrate mans failed chances for survival. All in all, having more time available to explore is …show more content…

This unidirectional landscape propels both the readers and the characters forward and allows no dwelling on the past. Man here is never at fault, there are only solutions to increase man’s reign and time (immortality). What is hindering this ability to survive is the universe itself, the earth, the sun and energy as “Earth’s poor resources could not support the ships” (Asimov 220). From that quotation alone it is clear that man outgrew the supply of Earth and their needs were not met, yet there is no indication of man changing his ways but rather how to improve the condition of man and allow more conquest. This is a stark contrast to Marker’s work because there is no mention to the past or attempts to understand or dwell on what has happened. Additionally, Marker never attempts to divert the reader from any flaws with mankind as in the initial scenes of La Jetee he forces the audience to view bleak, desolate images of destruction from the war. Also, the use of a unidirectional timeline prevents any trapping into a time cycle and allows this consistent move

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