In literature, sometimes authors use the device of the unknown as a catalyst for the plot. Could the difference or unknown be good or bad? Is everything out to get you, or can some things occasionally turn out good?
In the Alien saga, the unknown is seen as bad and nothing else. The alien creatures are bred for killing in gruesome and grotesque ways and there was no way to change that. Ripley, the main character of the films, even stated that they should nuke the planet the aliens were inhabiting from a safe position in orbit. The company wanted to take some specimens back as samples, but she was convinced there was nothing you can learn from that.
There are numerous stories where the unkown is viewed as good- pretty much any western movie about farmers settling the "uninhabited" plains of the West. The uncharted land being explored is viewed as exciting and full of opportunity. All of the views of the manifest destiny also support this.
No comments:
Post a Comment