17410

SoSe 13: Postcol. Lit.a.Variet. of Engl.:Dreaming Downunder: Australian Utopias and Dystopias

Andrew John Milner

Comments

This course will explore the place of utopia and dystopia in Australian speculative fiction. There is a long history of what Adam Roberts's The History of Science Fiction describes as works that locate utopia 'on the opposite side of the globe', that is, in Australia. The earliest example he gives is from 1605, the latest from 1781. Lyman Tower Sargent's bibliography of Australian utopian fiction lists something like 300 'Australian' print utopias and dystopias published during the period 1667-1999. European writers thus made extensive use of Australia as a site for utopian imaginings well before the continent's conquest, exploration and colonisation. As late as the 19th century, it remained one of very few real-world terrae incognitae still available for appropriation by European fantasy. Such imaginings became less plausible, however, when European explorers brought back detailed accounts of Australia's climate, topography and people and, as a result, Australian utopias were progressively relocated further into the interior. But the realities of inland exploration soon proved equally disappointing. Thereafter, in Australia as elsewhere, utopias were increasingly superseded by future-fictional 'uchronias'. And, in Australia as elsewhere, as the twentieth century proceeded utopias were also increasingly displaced by dystopias. The seminar will examine a number of key Australian utopias and dystopias and will attempt to locate them in relation to the historical development of the utopian genre from Thomas More to the present. close

13 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Wed, 16:00 - 18:00 13 Class schedule

Wed, 2013-04-10 16:00 - 18:00

Lecturers:
Prof. Dr. Andrew Milner