When we think of post-apocalyptic fiction, our minds often jump to the harrowing end of the world stories such as Cormac McCarthy’s The Road or Stephen King’s The Stand. These stories give readers a glimpse into a world that has been destroyed by a societal collapse or horrific event. But post-apocalyptic fiction isn’t just about a world gone wrong – it can also be a source of exploration, of hope, and of joy.
For the writer, post-apocalyptic fiction can be an exploration of the human spirit. Through their storytelling, writers can delve into the depths of the human condition, examining our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and dreams, what drives us and what holds us back. They can create characters who, against all odds, strive for a better tomorrow.
The joy of writing post-apocalyptic fiction lies in its exploration of the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Writers can create a world in which the human spirit will not be extinguished, no matter how much devastation has been wrought by an event. They can explore the power of good over evil, of hope over despair, of perseverance in the face of the greatest of challenges.
“In a world where everything has been taken away, nothing is more powerful or beautiful than the human spirit,” says author Mark Waid. “You can take away our homes, our achievements, even our lives, but you cannot take away our capacity for hope, for courage, for belief in something better.”
The joy of post-apocalyptic fiction is that writers can explore these positive aspects in a setting where hope is needed most. Through their stories, they can create characters who, despite all odds, continue to fight for what is right. They can explore the resilience of the human spirit to survive, even in the worst of circumstances.
Take, for example, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. While the dystopian world of Panem is certainly bleak, it is also full of hope. The story focuses on the struggle of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl thrust into a life-or-death situation in an effort to save her family and community. Despite the grim setting and the odds that are stacked against her, Katniss never loses sight of her humanity, refusing to give into despair or despair-driven violence.
The joy of post-apocalyptic fiction also lies in its exploration of the hope that can come from destruction. As author and educator David Brooks wrote, “Destruction can be the source of new creativity, new solutions and new ways of understanding the world.” In post-apocalyptic fiction, writers can explore this idea by creating a world in which destruction leads to a new beginning.
Take, for example, Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven. In this novel, a pandemic has wiped out most of the human population, leaving a small group of survivors to pick up the pieces. But rather than remaining mired in despair and destruction, the characters work together to build a new society based on the idea of “survival is insufficient.” Through their stories, these characters are able to create a world in which hope and creativity prevail, despite the destruction that has come before.
Ultimately, the joy of writing post-apocalyptic fiction lies in its exploration of the human spirit and the resilience of hope in the face of destruction. Writers can create characters who, despite the odds, choose to fight for what is right and strive for a better tomorrow. They can explore the power of the human spirit to survive, even in the worst of circumstances. And they can examine the hope that can come from destruction, creating a new beginning from the ashes of the old.
Writing post-apocalyptic fiction can be a source of hope, joy, and exploration. Through their stories, writers can create a world in which the human spirit will never be extinguished, no matter how much destruction it has faced. And in this way, post-apocalyptic fiction can be a beacon of light in a world of darkness.
Works Cited
Brooks, David. “Destruction can be the source of new creativity, new solutions and new ways of understanding the world.” TED Talks, 2019.
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic, 2008.
Mandel, Emily St. John. Station Eleven. Vintage Books, 2014.
Waid, Mark. “In a world where everything has been taken away, nothing is more powerful or beautiful than the human spirit.” TED Talks, 2020.
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