Facing Our Fears in Science Fiction Essay - 3400 Words

Facing Our Fears in Science Fiction The dead are walking. They lumber and limp, feet scraping against the asphalt. Suddenly, they lunge and tear down into soft, warm, vulnerable flesh with startling speed. Not far behind, oozing inside-out hellhounds growl around razor fangs, stalking with murderous intent. All because of an innocent little airborne chemical weapon†¦This can’t be happening, this would never happen, right? It may sound far fetched, and it is. These horrifying creatures grace the screen of current blockbuster hit, Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse. So you’re safe. For now. But why are these images on screen so terrifying to us? Why do we cringe and gasp and sigh with giddy relief when it’s all over? Because†¦show more content†¦In these films, along with their numerous brethren, the alien invaders were â€Å"often a metaphor for Communism† (Dirks). The Day the Earth Stood Still was an early warning to the world, and a commentary on paranoid society when its main character tried to do just that. The alien Klaatu, along with his robot backup, Gort, lands in Washington D.C. intending to deliver a message to the world’s leaders – Desist with atomic power or be destroyed. However, before he is able to deliver that message, he is promptly shot – a commentary on society’s post-war paranoia and immediate distrust of the unknown. America’s leaders suspect the humanoid Klaatu of being a Communist spy, Russia won’t meet to hear the message unless it takes place on its own soil, and Britain will have none of that. Ultimately, the alien’s attempts to deliver the dire message are futile, with the world’s leaders unable to overcome their pettiness and suspicion to really hear. Unlike films that followed, The Day the Earth Stood Still was an exception to the rule in that the al ien was not an invader, but a benign message-bearer. Aliens invade in War of the Worlds It seemed that words were not enough, and so films like The War of the Worlds and Invasion of the Body Snatchers made good on Klaatu’s promise. Moviegoers watched in horror as America was indeed invaded, not by Communists but aliens inShow MoreRelatedThe American Public School System1335 Words   |  6 Pagespublic school system is in the hands of the state lawmakers. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is the solution to this crisis facing our country today. These standards provide a framework in our public schools to help better prepare students for college. Through the implementation of these standards here in the State of Florida we will be helping bring our young scholars to a globally competitive level where the sky is the limit. 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