Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl

This paper examines three novels: Generation of Hopelessness (2019) by Thai author Jidanun Lueangpiansamut, Klara and the Sun (2021) by British author Kazuo Ishiguro, and The Windup Girl ( 2009) by American author Paolo Bacigalupi. In discussing the three novels, I adopt a posthumanist appro...

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Main Author: Isaraporn Pissa-ard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Humanities, Chiang Mai University 2023-11-01
Series:Journal of Integrative and Innovative Humanities
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Online Access:https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DJIIH/article/view/2633/2405
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author Isaraporn Pissa-ard
author_facet Isaraporn Pissa-ard
author_sort Isaraporn Pissa-ard
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines three novels: Generation of Hopelessness (2019) by Thai author Jidanun Lueangpiansamut, Klara and the Sun (2021) by British author Kazuo Ishiguro, and The Windup Girl ( 2009) by American author Paolo Bacigalupi. In discussing the three novels, I adopt a posthumanist approach that regards humans as part of a world in which technologies have become an intrinsic part. Integral to this approach is the attempt to expose the destructive consequences of anthropocentric beliefs and practices, and to encourage respectful and sympathetic relationships between humans and non-humans. The key argument of this paper is that all three novels share three outstanding characteristics. Firstly, through the portrayals of the dystopian existence of humans and non-humans, the novels articulate critiques of the form of development and progress that is highly anthropocentric, unsustainable, and brings about the regression of humanity. Furthermore, embedded in the three works is the posthumanist attempt to question and challenge human exceptionalism. Ultimately, the three novels convey a utopian desire for more caring and compassionate relationships between humans and non-humans so as to pave the way for a better posthuman future.
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spelling doaj-art-2fca2ad2b64849a3814c3b06d78a65b82025-08-20T03:27:44ZengFaculty of Humanities, Chiang Mai UniversityJournal of Integrative and Innovative Humanities3056-97612023-11-0132919Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup GirlIsaraporn Pissa-ard0Faculty of Humanities, Chiang Mai UniversityThis paper examines three novels: Generation of Hopelessness (2019) by Thai author Jidanun Lueangpiansamut, Klara and the Sun (2021) by British author Kazuo Ishiguro, and The Windup Girl ( 2009) by American author Paolo Bacigalupi. In discussing the three novels, I adopt a posthumanist approach that regards humans as part of a world in which technologies have become an intrinsic part. Integral to this approach is the attempt to expose the destructive consequences of anthropocentric beliefs and practices, and to encourage respectful and sympathetic relationships between humans and non-humans. The key argument of this paper is that all three novels share three outstanding characteristics. Firstly, through the portrayals of the dystopian existence of humans and non-humans, the novels articulate critiques of the form of development and progress that is highly anthropocentric, unsustainable, and brings about the regression of humanity. Furthermore, embedded in the three works is the posthumanist attempt to question and challenge human exceptionalism. Ultimately, the three novels convey a utopian desire for more caring and compassionate relationships between humans and non-humans so as to pave the way for a better posthuman future. https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DJIIH/article/view/2633/2405anthropocentrismdystopiapost-anthropocentrismposthumanism
spellingShingle Isaraporn Pissa-ard
Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl
Journal of Integrative and Innovative Humanities
anthropocentrism
dystopia
post-anthropocentrism
posthumanism
title Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl
title_full Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl
title_fullStr Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl
title_full_unstemmed Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl
title_short Posthumanism in Generation of Hopelessness, Klara and the Sun, and The Windup Girl
title_sort posthumanism in generation of hopelessness klara and the sun and the windup girl
topic anthropocentrism
dystopia
post-anthropocentrism
posthumanism
url https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DJIIH/article/view/2633/2405
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