Phantoms of Mars: Myth and American Mars Narratives

Abstract

My analysis of twentieth century Mars science and fiction outlines how the ongoing dialogic between Mars science and fiction publics influences the American frontier dialectic and how Mars serves as the arena where this debate comes to life. It examines connections between myth, science, and fiction by tracing the evolution of historical and literary representations of the American frontier and understandings of Mars spanning the twentieth century. To illustrate these findings, I investigate the fictional visions of the planet in the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, and Kim Stanley Robinson. Ultimately, Mars is revealed as a fictional frontier where a better way of living may be achievable by transforming the planet and ourselves. Finally, the planet's physical site holds a haunting potential value that inspires further research and new narratives, which informs the future use of Mars in American culture.

Author Keywords: Bradbury, Burroughs, Frontier, Mars, Myth, Robinson

    Item Description
    Type
    Contributors
    Creator (cre): McIntosh, Elizabeth
    Thesis advisor (ths): Epp, Michael
    Thesis advisor (ths): Bellamy, Brent R
    Degree committee member (dgc): Bode, Rita
    Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
    Date Issued
    2020
    Date (Unspecified)
    2020
    Place Published
    Peterborough, ON
    Language
    Extent
    118 pages
    Rights
    Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
    Local Identifier
    TC-OPET-10760
    Publisher
    Trent University
    Degree
    Master of Arts (M.A.): English (Public Texts)