Terror and Awe in Post-Apocalyptic Literature: The Road and Alas, Babylon
Outline:
1. Introduction
- Thesis - The elements in The Road and Alas, Babylon create a sense of terror and awe which explains the success that post-apocalyptic literature has had in recent years.
2. Definition of awe
3. Terror and awe
a. Edmund Burke argument about terror and awe
b. Other supporting claims
4. Tradition of terror and awe in literature
a. Bible - Book of Revelation
b. Greek tragedy - Oedipus Rex
c. Shakespeare and tragedy - Hamlet
d. Gothic literature - Edgar Allan Poe
5. Post-apocalyptic literature
a. Definition and description
b. Brief history - Epic of Gilgamesh, Bible, Mary Shelley - The Last Man
6. Elements in post-apocalyptic literature that generates awe and terror
a. Binary of mass destruction v. survival
b. Focus on character and emotional development
c. Place/setting becomes the antagonist
d. Moral / social statement
- Influence of atomic bombing of WWII and 9/11
7. Alas, Babylon
8. The Road
9. Comparison of the two texts and the post-apocalyptic elements
- How those elements use terror and awe
10. Conclusion
- How terror/awe creates success of post-apocalyptic literature
Possible Venues
There are a couple general journals that I can submit my paper to, such as the Popular Culture Association, Streamlines, and MLA Call for Papers. I can also identify journals that focus on Gothic literature, such as Gothic and Uncanny Explorations. Also, I have yet to find any post-apocalyptic focused journals but I think that would be a great venue or a journal that is specifically focusing on that for this year.
What's Next
From here, I need to further my research according to my outline and start identifying the specific passages in the two texts that I will use for the paper. Also, I will compile my research and identify any gaps in my argument, asking several people to give feedback on my paper to help me focus and strengthen my argument.
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