Apocalyptic and post apocalyptic fiction is a genre of science fiction which deals with the end of the world, or at least its near future. It can be contrasted to other genres such as space opera, military sci fi, cyberpunk, hard SF, etc., in that it features a more realistic view of what may happen to humanity after an apocalypse. The term “post-apocalyptic” refers to an event occurring after the apocalypse has already happened.
Apocalypses are often depicted as being caused by natural disasters (such as asteroid impacts), but they can also be manmade (or engineered) events like nuclear war, climate change, or biological warfare. The most common form of post-apocalyptic science fiction involves the survivors of a disaster trying to rebuild society in a world where technology has been lost.
Ancient predecessors
The concept of an apocalypse was first used in ancient times. In the Bible, there are several references to Armageddon, which some scholars believe refers to a battle between God and Satan at the end of time. It’s possible that this idea may have influenced later apocalyptic literature.
In Greek mythology, the Titans were overthrown by Zeus, who then punished them for their rebellion against him. This event is sometimes called the Fall of the Gods. Many people believe this story to be a metaphor for the fall of humanity from its divine origins.
In Roman mythology, Jupiter defeated his father Saturn during a cosmic conflict known as the Titanomachy. Some scholars think that this mythological event inspired Christian writers such as St. John Chrysostom to write about the Apocalypse of Abraham.
The Book of Revelation is one of the New Testament books written by Saint John the Apostle. Scholars believe that it contains a vision of the Last Judgment and the End Times.
In society
Apocalypticism is not limited to religious texts. There are many examples of apocalyptical ideas in modern culture.
These include:
- The War of the Worlds – H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel is widely considered to be the progenitor of all future alien invasion stories.
- Mad Max – Mel Gibson’s 1979 film depicts a dystopian wasteland overrun with gangs of marauders.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day – A sequel to the 1984 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day, it depicts a futuristic Los Angeles overrun by machines.
- Thirteen Days – Based on the 1962 book of the same name, the 1996 film shows how the Cold War could escalate into nuclear war.
Themes
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themes revolve around a few key elements that, no matter how the apocalypse had befallen the world, tend to end up being very similar results.
These include:
Rebuilding civilization
Rebuilding civilization after a catastrophe is the ultimate challenge for humanity. The history of our species has been one of repeated attempts to achieve this goal, and we are now in the midst of another such attempt. We have learned from previous catastrophes that the first step is to acknowledge that something has gone wrong; the second step is to decide what needs to be done about it; and the third step is to actually do it.
The current crisis offers an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating them. But if we fail to take advantage of this chance, then future generations will have no choice but to repeat those mistakes.
Survival
After the apocalypse, humans must survive long enough to build a new society. If they don’t, then they’ll die out, leaving nothing behind except the ruins of their society.
Savagery
Humans are naturally violent creatures. When faced with a life-threatening situation, they’re likely to resort to violence. After the apocalypse, the survivors must find ways to live peacefully together.
Nuclear war
Many apocalyptic novels depict a nuclear holocaust. Nuclear weapons are so powerful that even after thousands of years, they still pose a threat to human existence.
Climate change
Global warming is another major theme in apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction. Scientists warn us that our planet’s climate is rapidly changing due to human activity. As a result, many scientists predict that the Earth will eventually become uninhabitable.
Biological warfare
Some apocalyptic novels deal with the possibility of bioterrorism. Biological weapons are more dangerous than conventional ones because they can mutate and spread quickly.
Famine
When food supplies run low, people often turn to cannibalism. In some cases, entire civilizations may starve to death.
Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Fiction in Media
Since the 1980s, there has been a resurgence of interest in apocalyptic and post- apocalyptic fiction. This trend began when authors started writing about global catastrophes that were caused by natural disasters like volcanoes and earthquakes. However, since the 1990s, many authors have turned their attention to manmade disasters. These include wars, terrorist attacks, and other forms of mass murder. The most popular form of media for these types of stories is television.
Film and television
Television series such as The Walking Dead (2010–present) have helped to popularize apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction. In addition, films such as Mad Max (1979), The Road Warrior (1981), The Omega Man (1971), The Running Man (1987), and 28 Weeks Later (2007) have also contributed to this trend.
Novels and short stories
Many books and short stories have been written over the last century dealing with apocalyptic and post-apocalypse scenarios.
Some examples include:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959) by Walter M. Miller Jr., describes a dystopian future where humanity lives in underground cities while nature reclaims the surface.
- Children of Men (2006) by P.D. James, tells the story of what happens when humans become infertile suddenly.
- World War Z (2013) by Max Brooks, is an account of the zombie outbreak that occurred in 2028. It was adapted into a film in 2013.
- Vacuum Flowers (1980) by Richard Matheson, takes place in a future where people are forced to wear vacuum suits to protect themselves from radiation poisoning.
- The Year 200 (1956) by Fredric Brown, is a novel about the aftermath of a nuclear war.
- The Road (2009) by Cormac McCarthy, is a post-apocalyptic novel that follows two men fleeing across a post-apocalyptic America
Video games
Video games have also played a role in the popularity of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction. Many video game franchises have included elements of apocalypse and post-apocalypse.
Examples include:
- Fallout 3 (2008)
- Borderlands (2009)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2004).
Anime and manga
Another medium that has contributed to the popularity of apocalyptic and pre-apocalyptic fiction is anime and manga. Anime and manga usually depict futuristic worlds where technology has advanced beyond our current level. For example, Akira (1988) depicts a society after a nuclear holocaust. Another example is Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996), which features a post-apocalyptic setting where humans live on Earth while aliens live in space.
Check out our list of other great science fiction subgenres.
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