Insularity vs. Islomania. The Island Setting and Shipwreck Experience in Three Dystopian Novels

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Theoretical Background Part 1: Approaching (Dystopian) Island Structures
• Definition of Key Terms
• Utopia, Eutopia and Euchronia
• Satire, Science Fiction and Dystopia
• Conceptualising Islands: Insularity and Islomania
• Islands and Society: An Overview
• Islands of Exile
• Islands of Refuge
• Paradise Islands
• Islands of Possession and Exploitation
• Metaphorical Islands
• Theoretical Background Part 2: Approaching and Identifying Social Structures on Islands
• Universal Criteria for a Functional Community
• Community Control Mechanisms
• Discourse
• Power Relations
• Sovereign Power
• New Politics of the Body
• Disciplinary Power
• Surveillance
• Resistance
• Biopower and Biopolitics
• Methodology
• Analysis
• The Island of Doctor Moreau
• Lord of the Flies
• The Wall

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master's thesis examines the island setting and its impact on societal power structures using three dystopian novels as examples. The study investigates the control mechanisms employed by island societies to establish (supposed) order. The thesis first delves into the genre of utopia and its subgenres, as well as the concepts of "insularity" and "islomania". It then explores the potential functions of islands within our society. Subsequently, criteria are presented based on Nicholas Christakis' social suite to analyze societal structures from an evolutionary perspective. In addition, Michel Foucault's philosophical-sociological concepts of power structures are introduced to expose control mechanisms in the respective island societies. Using four guiding questions, the thesis analyzes the three dystopian novels one after another. These novels are The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and The Wall by John Lanchester. The analysis aims to determine how the island setting is utilized in the genre of dystopia based on the examined societal structures within each novel.

• The influence of the island setting on societal power structures
• The use of control mechanisms in dystopian island societies
• The dichotomy of insularity and islomania in the context of island societies
• The exploration of the island setting as a testing ground for social experiments
• The role of the island setting in shaping the dystopian genre

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: The chapter introduces the concept of islands as places of both freedom and control, highlighting their significance in literature and popular culture. It then delves into the complexities of islands as settings for both utopian and dystopian societies, emphasizing the importance of critically examining the often-positive perceptions associated with them. The chapter concludes by introducing the thesis's focus on analyzing the dichotomy of insularity and islomania in dystopian island societies and exploring how the island setting serves as an ideal testing ground for social experiments.
• Theoretical Background Part 1: Approaching (Dystopian) Island Structures: This chapter provides a theoretical framework for understanding the island setting within dystopian literature. It defines key terms such as utopia, dystopia, and satire, and explores the concepts of insularity and islomania. The chapter also examines the various functions of islands within society, including their roles as places of exile, refuge, paradise, possession, exploitation, and metaphorical representations. The aim of this chapter is to establish a foundation for analyzing the social structures and control mechanisms present in the island societies explored in the thesis.
• Theoretical Background Part 2: Approaching and Identifying Social Structures on Islands: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework for understanding social structures and control mechanisms on islands. It utilizes the universal criteria for a functional community as presented by Nicholas Christakis' social suite, focusing on the role of community control mechanisms in shaping social order. The chapter examines different forms of power relations, including sovereign power, the new politics of the body, disciplinary power, surveillance, resistance, and biopower. This theoretical foundation provides the tools for analyzing the societal dynamics present in the three dystopian novels.
• Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methodology employed in the thesis. It details the specific methods used to analyze the selected dystopian novels and examines the chosen approach to interpreting the island setting and its relationship to power structures. The methodology section serves to ensure transparency and reproducibility of the research process.
• Analysis: This chapter is dedicated to analyzing the three dystopian novels: The Island of Doctor Moreau, Lord of the Flies, and The Wall. The analysis explores the unique social structures present in each island society, highlighting the ways in which control mechanisms are implemented and the impact these mechanisms have on the lives of the islanders. The chapter examines the interplay between insularity and islomania, analyzing how the island setting influences the development of dystopian societies within each novel. The analysis focuses on the specific themes and concerns present in each work, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the island setting contributes to the dystopian narrative.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This master's thesis explores the theme of dystopia and the island setting in literature, focusing on the concepts of insularity and islomania. It analyzes societal power structures and control mechanisms within three dystopian novels: The Island of Doctor Moreau, Lord of the Flies, and The Wall. The research utilizes theoretical frameworks from Nicholas Christakis and Michel Foucault, examining themes of social control, resistance, and the impact of isolation on societal development. Key concepts include utopianism, dystopianism, social suite, power relations, sovereign power, disciplinary power, and biopolitics. The study aims to contribute to understanding the complex interplay between the island setting, dystopian narratives, and the dynamics of societal control.