Postmodern SiFi series like "The 100" or "Snowpiercer" also employ methods of colonialism and imperialism reminiscent of classic novels like "The Time Machine". Class societies and discrimination seem to be firmly linked to the genre. This thesis compares "The 100" series to "The Time Machine", focusing on the aspects of the narrative that are shaped by colonialism and imperialism.
Auch in postmodernen SiFi Serien wie "The 100" oder "Snowpiercer" werden Methoden des Kolonialismus und Imperialismus angewendet, die an Klassiker wie "The Time Machine" erinnern. Klassengesellschaften und Diskriminierung scheinen fest mit dem Genre verbunden zu sein. Diese Arbeit vergleicht die Serie "The 100" mit "The Time Machine" und fokussiert sich dabei auf die Aspekte der Narration, die von Kolonialismus und Imperialismus geprägt sind.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction –Imperialism in Science-Fiction
1.1 Othering after Homi Bhaba and Edward Said
1.2 The Dependency theory by Grosfoguel
2. Imperialism in The Time Machine from H. G. Wells
2.1 The Eloi, the Morlocks and The Time Traveller as Prometheus
3. Imperialism and Colonialism in the TV-Series The 100
3.1 The comparison to The Time Machine
4. Conclusion and result
5. Literature
Research Objective and Core Themes
This paper aims to investigate the representation of imperialism and colonialism within the genre of science fiction, specifically analyzing how these themes manifest in H. G. Wells' "The Time Machine" and the modern TV series "The 100". It explores the evolution of narrative methodologies regarding foreign cultures and power dynamics across different media over time.
- Postcolonial theories of "Othering" and Dependency theory.
- Comparative analysis of imperialist motifs in 19th-century and contemporary science fiction.
- The evolution of character roles, such as the "gatekeeper" and the "noble savage".
- The influence of media format on the depiction of social and political power structures.
- The representation of gender roles and cultural hybridity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 The Eloi, the Morlocks and The Time Traveller as Prometheus
The Morlocks are the second people Time Traveller will meet in the future. Unlike the Eloi, the good savages, the Morlocks are described as particularly grotesque. The Time Traveller describes them as ugly, ape-like, light-shy creatures that live in underground caves (cf. Wells 2014, 62). At first, he thinks they are ‘white ghosts’ but to satisfy his curiosity he follows one of them and finally climbs into one of their shafts. There, at the sight of their food, he slowly becomes aware that the Morlocks are abducting Eloi and eating them (cf. Wells 2014, 83). Because of their cannibalism, Time Travellers tend to think of them as animals or monsters, although they are as human as the Eloi themselves. The Time Traveller explains his assumption about the two peoples and their division into two such different life forms.
„At first, proceeding from the problems of our own age, it seemed clear as daylight to me that the gradual widening of the present merely temporary and social difference between the Capitalist and the Labourer, was the key to the whole position.” (Wells 2014, 67).
However, in his research, he discovers that he was mistaken. The Morlocks operate huge machines underground, which not only makes life possible for the upperworld Eloi but also sustains it. He realizes that the Morlocks keep and care for the Eloi like farmers keep cattle because the man-eaters need them for food. Because of their developed night vision and photophobia, they take the Eloi during the nights, which explains their great fear of the dark and night. Even though the two peoples have the same descent, namely from the British population in London itself, Time Travellers see themselves as a higher form of human being.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction –Imperialism in Science-Fiction: This chapter provides the theoretical foundation by introducing key concepts like Othering and Dependency theory to contextualize the analysis of imperialist structures in literature.
1.1 Othering after Homi Bhaba and Edward Said: This section details the psychological and sociological mechanisms of "Othering" and how cultural norms are constructed through the definition of an opposing "Other".
1.2 The Dependency theory by Grosfoguel: This section explains how economic and structural "underdevelopment" is rooted in global market dominance and historical colonial relationships.
2. Imperialism in The Time Machine from H. G. Wells: This chapter analyzes the novel as a reflection of 19th-century imperialist ideology, focusing on the narrator's biased, Eurocentric perspective.
2.1 The Eloi, the Morlocks and The Time Traveller as Prometheus: This section examines the specific hierarchy between the Eloi and Morlocks, comparing the Time Traveller's role to the myth of Prometheus.
3. Imperialism and Colonialism in the TV-Series The 100: This chapter explores how a modern TV series incorporates traditional imperialist motifs within a post-apocalyptic framework.
3.1 The comparison to The Time Machine: This section draws parallels between the social structures of the future societies in Wells' novel and the series "The 100", highlighting both similarities and narrative evolutions.
4. Conclusion and result: This chapter summarizes the findings, noting that while female emancipation has progressed, the critique of colonial "Othering" in science fiction remains a critical area for improvement.
5. Literature: This section lists the academic sources and texts referenced throughout the paper.
Keywords
Imperialism, Colonialism, Science Fiction, Othering, Dependency Theory, The Time Machine, The 100, H. G. Wells, Postcolonialism, Cultural Hybridity, Orientalism, Eurocentrism, Genre Studies, Narrative Analysis, Power Relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The paper focuses on identifying and analyzing the persistence of imperialist and colonialist patterns in science fiction literature and media, contrasting early works with contemporary examples.
Which theoretical frameworks are central to the analysis?
The analysis relies primarily on postcolonial theories, including Homi Bhabha's concept of "Othering", Edward Said's "Orientalism", and Ramon Grosfoguel's "Dependency theory".
What is the primary goal of this study?
The study aims to explore how science fiction reflects social and historical power dynamics and whether modern iterations of the genre critically engage with these inherited imperialist tropes.
What methodology is applied in this paper?
The author uses a comparative literature approach to analyze narrative structures, character roles, and thematic representations of social hierarchy in both a 19th-century novel and a modern television series.
What is the main subject matter covered in the main section?
The main section investigates the representation of "Othering", the "noble savage" trope, and the relationship between technological superiority and colonial dominance in the selected primary sources.
How would you describe the key themes using keywords?
Key themes include Imperialism, Colonialism, Postcolonialism, Othering, Dependency Theory, and cultural representation within speculative fiction.
How does the author interpret the role of the Time Traveller in H. G. Wells' work?
The author interprets the Time Traveller as a figure resembling a 19th-century ethnologist, whose possession of fire serves as a symbol of intellectual and scientific superiority, effectively positioning him as a Promethean figure above the inhabitants of the future.
How does the TV series "The 100" differ from the traditional imperialist narrative?
While "The 100" retains many colonialist motifs such as "Othering" and the conflict between "civilized" and "primitive" groups, it uniquely features prominent female leads and departs from traditional themes of racism by portraying a diverse, unified group of survivors known as "Skypeople".
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the evolution of the genre?
The author concludes that while the science fiction genre has evolved to include more diverse and independent female characters, it still frequently relies on uncritical imperialist tropes that categorize fictional societies by different "standards of civilization".
- Citar trabajo
- Kulturanthropologe B.A.; Ethnologe B.A. Arleen Schäfer (Autor), 2020, Imperialism and Colonialism in science fiction and their imprint on the genre today, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1007966
