Apocalypse Mainstreamed: Cultural Imaginations After September 11

Abstract

The term apocalypse has been in use for a long time. Its usage in religious and literary discourses has, however, not been without certain obstacles as far as the meaning and scope are concerned. In Christianity, apocalypse refers to the last book of The Bible, The Revelation or Revelation to John or Apocalypse of John, in which Christ reveals to John the signs signifying the end of the world. While as the Hindu doctrine teaches that the human cycle called Manvantara is divided into four periods. These periods correspond with the Golden, Silver, Bronze and Iron Ages of the ancient western traditions. It is believed that we are now in the fourth age, the kali-Yuga or Dark Age. In Islam, the resurrection, the Day of Judgment and salvation are apocalyptic features of orthodox belief as is evident in The Quran.  However, the traditional apocalypse is different from the modern one in that the modern apocalyptic imagination in contemporary literature is secular because it actually reflects the demonic aspects of the apocalypse world of The Bible in secular terms.   Nineteenth century American novelists, such as, Nathanel Hawthorne, Herman Melville and Mark Twain were the first to reflect the apocalyptic  imagination in its secular version in fiction, depicting Satan let loose in society. Hawthorne’s Blithedale Romance (1852), Melville’s The Confidence Man (1887) and Mark Twain’s The Mysterious Stranger (1916), each dwelt upon the degeneration of human morals under the influence of demonic tendencies in individuals as a prelude to a social disaster. However the main argument of the present paper would be to show how the major American writers shifted their focus towards apocalyptic themes in their writings with the approach of the year 2000 and primarily after September 11 episode. The paper would also highlight that literature and films have featured a steady stream of apocalyptic scenarios.  For instance, in a five year period after 2001 just some of the disaster films released include The Core (2003), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), the remake Poseidon (2006), adaptations of novels such as I, Robot and War of the Worlds (2006) and tale movies including Category 6: Day of Destruction(2006), Category 7, The End of the World(2005), Locusts: Day of Destruction(2006), Oil Storm(2005), Super Volcano(2005), 10.5(2005), and 10.5: Apocalypse (1)(2006).  The Slate Magazine in America published an article in 2009 by Josh Levin which talks about How is America Going to End.  In short, the paper would highlight how the concept of apocalypse became very popular in America and how majority of the American writers developed their interest and preoccupation with apocalyptic themes the chief concerns of apocalypse.