Browsing by Subject "Dan Simmons"

In this thesis, I study and analyse the first two novels of the American author Dan Simmons’ four-part science-fiction novel series Hyperion Cantos: Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion. Through my analysis of the novels’ narrative structures and thematic contents, I demonstrate how works of science fiction are inherently connected to the real world and can offer new perspectives on ideas and phenomena observable in the readers’ current historical reality, despite the speculative and unnatural scenarios they present. My analysis, based on a close reading of the novels and supported by theories within narratology and research on science fiction as a genre, first compares the narrative structures of the novels, focusing on the relationship between story and discourse and shifts in narrative voice, focalisation, and temporal aspects of the narration. In terms of the narrative structures, my analysis shows that Simmons uses two very different narrative structures within the two novels to nevertheless create an interconnected story. He introduces the characters and begins to develop the themes of the novels’ narrative universe with the Canterbury Tales-like structure of Hyperion and continues to develop them and bring them to their conclusions by introducing the novels’ true, unnatural character narrator in The Fall of Hyperion. The thematic analysis demonstrates how Simmons uses a science fiction narrative in a futuristic setting to introduce themes that reflect historical developments in the western world while simultaneously motivating his readers to consider possible future developments in technology. The novels’ technological themes display humanity’s dependence on technology, and how, using these technologies, humanity has expanded in a selfish manner, causing harm to other species and planets. Additionally, Simmons considers the wavering line between humans and technological beings, presenting a possible future scenario where sophisticated AI attempt to take over humanity. The novels’ religious themes also connect to the real world, reflecting historical developments in secularisation and critiquing a blind obedience to God. The combination of these thematic fields also illustrates the pain that is necessary in the process of bringing about meaningful change, and highlights empathy as a core human value.