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While many of the symbols throughout the novel apply to real life, the appeal is felt most directly by Americans. Americans were able to relate the novel more because of the historical context of the atomic bomb and the setting, as well as the rise of a new movement known as Modernism.
Historical Context
The novel took place right after World War II, meaning Japan had already been the victim of a nuclear attack. Seeing the destruction, many Americans were torn by the damage that their country had caused. Clear influence of the war is demonstrated in the opening scene of the novel when the world is described as destroyed by nuclear war; it also shows why the author's setting depicts a war decimated world to begin with, and may symbolize what the author may predict for the world.
Setting
The entire story takes place in San Francisco, which is a city in California. While it could have taken place anywhere else in the world, the author found it more meaningful to be in America. Symbols such as kipple could represent the destruction and devastation that people were feeling after the first atomic bomb was dropped. Rather than just Japan being severely crippled, America may have been torn after seeing what they are capable of, leaving despair all around the world.
An American novel Between American Movements
Another thing to look at is the publication time of the book. It was published in 1968, and it is directly on the border between Modernism and Postmodernism. As such, it contains elements of each. It has the dark and chaotic elements of Modernism, but also seems to show hope near the end; while that is not specifically from Postmodernism, it does show that the end of Modernism is causing a change in ideas. In addition, the Postmodernism movement often seemed to have dark/serious themes with playful or comic aspects, and that kind of style is found in various parts of the novel. Dick often incorporated moments of satire or sarcastic statements (or even just nonsensical statements) to add humor in some moments.
Historical Context
The novel took place right after World War II, meaning Japan had already been the victim of a nuclear attack. Seeing the destruction, many Americans were torn by the damage that their country had caused. Clear influence of the war is demonstrated in the opening scene of the novel when the world is described as destroyed by nuclear war; it also shows why the author's setting depicts a war decimated world to begin with, and may symbolize what the author may predict for the world.
Setting
The entire story takes place in San Francisco, which is a city in California. While it could have taken place anywhere else in the world, the author found it more meaningful to be in America. Symbols such as kipple could represent the destruction and devastation that people were feeling after the first atomic bomb was dropped. Rather than just Japan being severely crippled, America may have been torn after seeing what they are capable of, leaving despair all around the world.
An American novel Between American Movements
Another thing to look at is the publication time of the book. It was published in 1968, and it is directly on the border between Modernism and Postmodernism. As such, it contains elements of each. It has the dark and chaotic elements of Modernism, but also seems to show hope near the end; while that is not specifically from Postmodernism, it does show that the end of Modernism is causing a change in ideas. In addition, the Postmodernism movement often seemed to have dark/serious themes with playful or comic aspects, and that kind of style is found in various parts of the novel. Dick often incorporated moments of satire or sarcastic statements (or even just nonsensical statements) to add humor in some moments.
An Awesome Real Life Comparison
This may not be as much only American as it is a relation to real life, but I felt like it was a great thing to put. The struggle for power between Buster Friendly and Mercer shows a power that every place on this planet is used to; religion vs. social life. If the statements about Mercerism living on mean anything, and they do, then Mercer and religion seem to have won.
In the American Literature Curriculum
This book, I feel, fills a gap where much-needed fiction arrived. Besides Rappaccini's Daughter, we have not done a whole lot of fiction throughout the year. I feel like this book fills that gap. It can't even really be compared to the other fiction work I mentioned, as that was a Gothic work and this was more around Modernism and Postmodernism. It fills that gap; we need it!
So, yeah. This book definitely deserves to be called American.
This may not be as much only American as it is a relation to real life, but I felt like it was a great thing to put. The struggle for power between Buster Friendly and Mercer shows a power that every place on this planet is used to; religion vs. social life. If the statements about Mercerism living on mean anything, and they do, then Mercer and religion seem to have won.
In the American Literature Curriculum
This book, I feel, fills a gap where much-needed fiction arrived. Besides Rappaccini's Daughter, we have not done a whole lot of fiction throughout the year. I feel like this book fills that gap. It can't even really be compared to the other fiction work I mentioned, as that was a Gothic work and this was more around Modernism and Postmodernism. It fills that gap; we need it!
So, yeah. This book definitely deserves to be called American.