Memory and Utopian Agency in Utopian/Dystopian Literature: Memory of the Future

The study explores how utopian/dystopian fiction has been preoccupied with memory, arguing that it is a key problematic in the genre and a source of the utopian impulse. It demonstrates that many modern and contemporary writers consider the presence of certain forms of memory as necessary to the project of imagining better societies or avoiding possible dystopian outcomes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

For a genre that imagines possible futures as a means of critiquing the present, utopian/dystopian fiction has been remarkably obsessed with how the past is remembered. Memory and Utopian Agency in Utopian/Dystopian Literature: Memory of the Future delves into the preoccupation with memory in modern and contemporary utopian/dystopian literatures, asserting that from the nineteenth century onward, memory and forgetting have emerged as central problematics in the genre, as well as sources of the utopian impulse. Through a series of close readings of utopian/dystopian novels informed by theory and dialectics, Hanson offers a comprehensive case study history of how and why memory became a concern for utopia, as well as how recent dystopian texts position memory as a vital mode of utopian agency. Hanson demonstrates that many contemporary and modern writers within the genre view the presence of specific forms of memory as essential to the project of envisioning better societies or mitigating potential dystopian outcomes.

In the realm of utopian/dystopian fiction, the exploration of memory has taken on a profound significance, serving as a lens through which the genre critiques the present. While it may seem surprising that a genre focused on envisioning possible futures would be so preoccupied with the past, Memory and Utopian Agency in Utopian/Dystopian Literature: Memory of the Future sheds light on this intriguing phenomenon. The book delves into the preoccupation with memory in modern and contemporary utopian/dystopian literatures, asserting that from the nineteenth century onward, memory and forgetting have emerged as central problematics in the genre, as well as sources of the utopian impulse.

Through a series of close readings of utopian/dystopian novels informed by theory and dialectics, Hanson offers a comprehensive case study history of how and why memory became a concern for utopia. He explores the ways in which utopian/dystopian writers have grappled with the complexities of memory, from its role in shaping individual identities to its impact on collective memory and society. Hanson demonstrates that many modern and contemporary writers within the genre view the presence of specific forms of memory as essential to the project of envisioning better societies or mitigating potential dystopian outcomes.

One of the key insights of the book is that memory is not merely a passive record of the past but a dynamic and active force that shapes the present and the future. Hanson argues that utopian/dystopian literature often employs memory as a tool for imagining better societies or for critiquing existing ones. By exploring the ways in which memory is remembered, forgotten, and manipulated, utopian/dystopian writers can shed light on the power dynamics that shape societies and the potential for positive and negative change.

Furthermore, Memory and Utopian Agency in Utopian/Dystopian Literature: Memory of the Future highlights the ways in which recent dystopian texts situate memory as a crucial mode of utopian agency. In a world where the threat of authoritarianism and surveillance is ever-present, dystopian writers often use memory as a means of resistance and resilience. By exploring the ways in which individuals and communities remember and share information, dystopian texts can inspire readers to question the status quo.

In conclusion, Memory and Utopian Agency in Utopian/Dystopian Literature: Memory of the Future is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the complex relationship between memory, utopianism, and dystopianism. By examining the preoccupation with memory in modern and contemporary utopian/dystopian literatures, Hanson provides a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies. Through his close readings and theoretical framework, he offers a compelling case study history of how and why memory emerged as a problem for utopia, as well as how recent dystopian texts position memory as a vital mode of utopian agency. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of utopian/dystopian literature, as well as those interested in the broader fields of memory studies and political theory.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367536305