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The contrast between the primitive and modern world's in "The Left Hand of Darkness", "She" and "The Shape of Things to Come".
Anthropological theory is frequently used in science fiction writing to classify humankind and their culture along with how they interact with their environment. Lewis Henry Morgan was a recognised theorist for his classification of societies from simplicity (primitivity) to complexity (modernity/civilisation). A “primitive” society is often a non-industrial, tribal culture, which can be characterised by a low level of economic complexity. Savagery and early stages of barbarism before agricultural development are examples of primitivity. A “modern” society relates to more recent times or recent developments in techniques or technology. Later stages of barbarism and “modern” or more technologically advanced civilisations depict modernity. Savagery, barbarism and civilisation are used in The Shape of Things to Come, She and The Left Hand of Darkness to portray life and social relations between different societies. The authors express their views towards civilisation through their own studies of each society in their novels.
H.G. Wells wrote the novel The Shape of Things to Come in 1933 and later directed the screenplay based on this work of science fiction. Wells integrates many themes of cultural development into this work such as modernity, barbarism, militarism, politics, capitalism and technological advancements. The Shape of Things to Come begins with John Cabal, a resident of Everytown, listening to a radio broadcast announcing the start of World War II. Bombs soon begin to destroy all of Everytown, wiping out their advancement into civilisation. While Everytown is left with minimal military equipment, Germany moves in with new technologies and futuristic tanks to fight them mercilessly. Cabal works with his town trying to rebuild civilisation as he flies his newly developed plane to retaliate. With the help of Cabal, the city is regained and reconstructed into a new, more “modern” society.
Sara May #00007870
Technological advances and modernity are bringing about war, while a city without war is what “Well's hopes and dreams for the future, the use of science and technology for the happiness and advancement of mankind” (Klaatu, 1997). This work shows the progression towards modernity and the development of practical, mechanical living leaving the primitive world behind.
H. Rider Haggard outlines life in Africa as and example of a more “primitive” or “savage” society in the novel She. In a broad spectrum, this ethnographic style of writing describes Africa as the most primitive, dangerous, dark, and mysterious place to live. Haggard drew on his actual experiences with Africa and incorporated facts with colonial relationships and stereotypical views of African lifestyle. Haggard’s Victorian style of writing suggests that Western Civilisation was the most complex (better) society, compared to African societies which are depicted as more simple and savage in their ways. Misconceptions of “the dark continent”, promiscuity and cannibalism are used to describe the reality of Africa and the fear inhabited by Leo, Horace, and Job, “three modern Englishmen in a modern English boat” (Haggard, p.68) on a journey together to find the lost African kingdom. The men in their more advanced style of boat, stood out from the primitive African norm. When the African [next page]