Questions

Questions

NATURE OF APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

According to Jonathon Penny, there are three modes by which we may identify apocalyptic literature: these modes are prophecy, revelation, and eschatology. Of these three, prophecy is the most important element to consider because it is the element most readily identified with that which is sacred. By examining prophecy and its various functions in Aldous Huxley's Time Must Have a Stop, William Golding's Darkness Visible, and Don DeLillo's White Noise we are better able to comprehend how prophetic presences within the latter novels affect reader perception and therefore affect the way in which we perceive and therefore receive modern apocalyptic literature.

The function and presence of prophecy in these three literary works is important because it provides a foundation for the idea that all modern apocalyptic literature is essentially sacred. Although I believe that apocalyptic literature may be sacred, and that it may be sacred with secular overtones, or secular with sacred undertones, I do not believe that an entirely secular mode is feasible or possible within this particular trope. Literature provides a history of mankind, and throughout that history religion has been an inimitable presence, particularly in the western literary tradition. Even if an author were to declare, “I am writing specifically in terms of secular apocalypse” (which is unlikely) the religious traditions would still be brought to bear upon the reader simply because of association. People cannot unlearn centuries of ideology, especially when that ideology pertains to apocalyptic literature. The word apocalypse in itself evokes intense imagery for many people. Prophecy especially lends itself to instant association with the sacred because its presence heralds a change to come, an ending or a beginning, and any other manner of possibilities which cannot help but bring forth the sacred aspect because of the imagery that is traditionally associated with it. This lends credence to the idea that modern apocalyptic literature is critically affected by prophetic figures and imagery, and that the latter also affects whether the nature of the apocalypse will be construed as sacred or secular.

Eustace's death is an important event because it allows him to return in an unearthly form at a séance and experience prophetic visions. The spirit of Eustace described them as “clear memories of what had not yet happened.” (Huxley, p 153). Although Sebastian is never allowed to hear the prophecies that Eustace envisions (thanks to the bumbling medium) he is aware of the truthfulness of the session. Some of the things that the medium says, although garbled, remind him of things that he and Eustace had previously discussed. This allows Sebastian to realize that there is obviously some form of life after death, and highlights one of the revelatory points of the novel. But the critical implication here is that the prophecies that Eustace is remembering are being supplied by a higher power, thus rendering the novel sacred as well as apocalyptic.

Once again, the presence of the prophetic mode is influencing the reader in the direction of the sacred, rather than the ...