Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Major/Program
English
First Advisor's Name
Bruce A. Harvey
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Ana Luszczynska
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Third Advisor's Name
Michael Gillespie
Third Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Keywords
virtual reality, science fiction, iain banks, iain m. banks, david brin, karl schroeder, lady of mazes, existence, surface detail, literary criticism, jean luc nancy
Date of Defense
3-17-2015
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to explore the boundary between human and other created by virtual worlds in contemporary science fiction novels. After a close reading of the three novels: Surface Detail, Existence, and Lady of Mazes, and the application of contemporary literary theories, the boundary presented itself and led to the discovery of where the human becomes other. The human becomes other when it becomes lost to the virtual world and no longer exists or interacts with material reality. Each of the primary texts exhibits both virtual reality and humanity in different ways, and each is explored to find where humanity falls apart. Overall, when these theories are applied to real life there is no real way to avoid the potential for fully immersive virtual worlds, but there are ways to avoid their alienating effects.
Identifier
FI15032123
Recommended Citation
Franks, Jamie N., "Becoming Other: Virtual Realities in Contemporary Science Fiction" (2015). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1908.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1908
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