The Rise of Postmodernism question n answers graded A+

The Rise of PostmodernismHow do you think the rapid change in American society in the mid-twentieth century might have influenced the literature of that era? - correct answer The rapid change in American society in the mid-twentieth century was cause for awe and wonder, but it also created a sense of fear among people. The extent of the devastation caused by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki scared people and made them wary of the power of science and developments in warfare. At the same time, people marveled at other advancements, particularly those related to space exploration. Both the favorable and adverse effects of the developments in science and technology had a major influence on the literature of this era. One such example is the genre of science fiction, which gained momentum during this time period. Science fiction reflected the contradiction of amazement and paranoia at technological advancement in the mid-twentieth century. Hard Sci-Fi - correct answer -Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by concern for scientific accuracy and logic. -In Hard Sci-Fi, the practical function of technology is a central feature of the pilot, and the story usually provides in debt details about the purpose and operation of such technology. Social Sci-Fi - correct answer -Social science fiction is a subgenre of science fiction, usually soft science fiction, concerned less with technology/space opera and more with speculation about society. In other words, it "absorbs and discusses anthropology" and speculates about human behavior and interactions. -In Social Sci-Fi, the use of technology is not as important as the actual effect that the technology has on humans and society. Consider the Campbell excerpt you read and the Dick excerpt featured in the video. Both science fiction examples discuss the use of futuristic technology. But how does the relationship between man and machine differ in these two excerpts? Cite examples from the excerpts to support your response. - correct answer Both excerpts are examples of science fiction, and they both describe machines that attack humans. However, the Campbell excerpt is an example of hard sci-fi because the style and narration places emphasis on the functionality and complexity of a certain technology—in this case, a rocket ship. The Dick excerpt is an example of social sci-fi since the purpose of the futuristic technology is not simply in its function, but more in its effect on humanity. In the Campbell excerpt, the push of a button brings a machine to life. The function and the structure of the machine is given emphasis. In the Dick excerpt, the effect the machines have on people is given emphasis. One of the survivors even speaks about the machine as if it were a person. Why might Kurt Vonnegut have chosen to structure his short story "Report on the Barnhouse Effect" as an article? How does this choice influence the development and point of view of the story? Cite textual evidence to support your response. - correct answer Kurt Vonnegut's "Report on the Barnhouse Effect" is written in the form of an article. Because articles typically present factual information, this format legitimizes the ideas and events presented in the story. The blending of the narrative form within an article is an example of how postmodernist writers often mixed different formats. The article format also allows the narrator to cover events that span different time periods and locations with ease. Vonnegut uses irony and sarcasm while presenting a serious style and tone. The narrator occasionally reports blithe and funny information, such as "Gentlemen. . .as the first superweapon with a conscience, I am removing myself from your national defense stockpile." Given the context of "Report on the Barnhouse Effect" and its events, what does the narrator mean by the satirical and ironic statement below? How does this sentence influence the tone of the story and develop the general's character? General Barker bustled about the house like a woman preparing Thanksgiving dinner for twenty. - correct answer The narrator pokes fun at the general's frantic behavior. The sentence lends a light-hearted tone to the story and also highlights a sarcastic and ironic tone, making the general's actions appear senseless, hysterical, and frivolous—adjectives typically not used to describe a general. Listen to this radio version of "Report on the Barnhouse Effect." How does this version differ from your interpretation of the lesson's reading selection? Compared to a textual version, how does an audio version influence the tone and development of the story? - correct answer In the lesson's reading, the narrator explains the reasons for writing the report on the Barnhouse Effect. The narrator, Professor Barnhouse's former student, relates his encounters with the professor and how he witnessed dynamo psychism. He also relates how the government tried to use Professor Barnhouse as a weapon against other nations and how the professor chose instead to use his gift for peace. The story ends with the narrator realizing that Professor Barnhouse had passed on his gift to him. In the audio version, the narrator introduces the story by analyzing how the human mind works, and he speaks about breakthroughs in hypnosis and telepathy. The music and background sounds help enhance the sci-fi theme and the suspenseful details of the story. In the audio version, the narrator is a man named George Clinton. Clinton writes a report about his time with Professor Arthur Barnhouse and describes what the professor called dynamo psychism, or the conversion of thoughts into reality. The audio version also differs toward the end. Clinton is called upon to help track the professor, but he fails to save the professor from foreign agents who want to harness the professor's power. This intervention by the narrator does not occur in the book. In the audio version, the professor kills himself so that no one can use him to cause harm to other countries after his capture. In the reading, the professor's location is yet to be discovered. He is prepared to live in hiding and die a naturally of old age.