초록 열기/닫기 버튼
This paper aims to explore the geopolitical aspect of apocalyptic imagination in World War Z. The novel presents zombies and its de-territorial characteristics as a symbolic way of expressing the fear of de-localizing power inherent in globalization, and by doing so, it appears to continue the subversive tradition of zombie narrative that questions the status quo and challenges normative relations to the existing social structure. The problem is, however, that this subversive element ultimately leads to a highly conservative impulse in the novel. As an imaginary solution to the geopolitical problem of globalization, the author turns to mythical images of the U.S., which marks a “new” beginning of the nation in the post-apocalyptic world. In presenting the U.S. as the only place in the world properly inheriting liberal democracy, the author attempts to differentiate the nation from the rest of the world. The U.S. is presented as a special space practicing liberal democracy, while the rest of the world becomes places following extremely stereotypical and sometimes outright ideological images. Given that, this paper aims to argue that, contrary to the general readership and criticism, World War Z is based upon politically conservative impulse in which a kind of American exceptionalist ideas is ultimately endorsed and reinforced.
키워드열기/닫기 버튼
World War Z, zombie narrative, post-apocalypse, American Exceptionalism, globalization
