Description
Book Synopsis: This book argues that time travel fiction is a narrative "laboratory," a setting for thought experiments in which essential theoretical questions about storytelling--and by extension, about the philosophy of temporality, history, and subjectivity--are represented in the form of literal devices and plots. Drawing on physics, philosophy, narrative theory, psychoanalysis, and film theory, the book links innovations in time travel fiction to specific shifts in the popularization of science, from evolutionary biology in the late 1800s, through relativity and quantum physics in the mid-twentieth century, to more recent multiverse cosmologies. Wittenberg shows how increasing awareness of new scientific models leads to surprising innovations in the literary "time machine," which evolves from a "vehicle" used chiefly for sociopolitical commentary into a psychological and narratological device capable of exploring with great sophistication the temporal structure and significance of subjects, viewpoints, and historical events. The book covers work by well-known time travel writers such as H. G. Wells, Edward Bellamy, Robert Heinlein, Samuel Delany, and Harlan Ellison, as well as pulp fiction writers of the 1920s through the 1940s, popular and avant-garde postwar science fiction, television shows such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek, and current cinema. Literature, film and TV are read alongside theoretical work ranging from Einstein, Schrödinger, and Hawking to Gérard Genette, David Lewis, and Gilles Deleuze. Wittenberg argues that even the most mainstream audiences of popular time travel fiction and cinema are vigorously engaged with many of the same questions about temporality, identity, and history that concern literary theorists, media and film scholars, and philosophers.
Details
Unlock the secrets of time travel with "Time Travel: The Popular Philosophy of Narrative"! Dive into a captivating journey through the realms of storytelling and the philosophy of temporality, history, and subjectivity. This extraordinary book serves as a narrative "laboratory," inviting you to delve into thought experiments and explore essential theoretical questions. By examining time travel fiction, the author, Wittenberg, demonstrates how it acts as a metaphorical vehicle to represent complex concepts from physics, philosophy, psychoanalysis, and film theory.
Prepare to be amazed as Wittenberg connects the dots between time travel fiction and scientific breakthroughs throughout history. From the evolutionary biology of the late 1800s to relativity and quantum physics, and even the cutting-edge multiverse cosmologies of today, this book reveals the astonishing impact of scientific models on literary imagination. Witness the evolution of the literary "time machine" from a tool for sociopolitical commentary to a sophisticated device that analyzes the temporal structure and significance of subjects, viewpoints, and historical events in unprecedented ways.
Delving into the works of renowned authors such as H. G. Wells, Robert Heinlein, and Samuel Delany, as well as exploring pulp fiction, postwar science fiction, and iconic television shows like The Twilight Zone and Star Trek, "Time Travel" offers a comprehensive overview of the genre. Throughout the pages, Wittenberg intertwines literary analysis with the thoughts of influential figures like Einstein, Schrödinger, and Hawking, adding a fascinating layer of depth and academic rigor.
This extraordinary book transcends the boundaries of academia, appealing to both mainstream audiences and enthusiasts of time travel fiction and cinema. Whether you're an avid reader, a film buff, a literary theorist, or simply curious about the mysteries of time, "Time Travel" has something for everyone. Embark on this intellectual adventure today and expand your understanding of temporality, identity, and history. Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the forefront of storytelling innovation.
Ready to unlock the secrets of time travel? Get your copy of "Time Travel: The Popular Philosophy of Narrative" now!
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