Narratives of the Anthropocene:Articulating Erosion in Climate Change Fiction

One of the great challenges in presenting climate change is its scalar effects. Climate change narratives often collapse the scale into typical conventions, such as the two-hour film, which present the problem but also present unrealistic solutions and, importantly, collapse and understate the slow-moving erosion (social and environmental) that inform current events. An articulation of the slow violence, as Nixon presents, is necessary for us to grasp the gravity of our current situation and not allow the presentist focus of the current era to obscure its import. <br/>This paper argues that nostalgic narratives, with a focus on a medium scale, allows us to both see apocalyptic present within climate change novels and frame the long scope of their historical antecedents, allowing the opportunity to comprehend the scale and force of climate change. Furthermore, the paper argues that through nostalgic narrative, and the acceptance of life loss in the face of climate trauma, readers can confront, accept, and ultimately react meaningfully to our changed circumstances – freeing us from the Anthropocene’s perceived paralyzing nature.<br/>The paper will focus on aspects of three California novels, Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, Edan Lepucki’s California, and Alexandrea Kleeman’s Something New Under the Sun. Through close readings, the paper articulates the eroding social framework, the degradation of environments, and their consequences (presented in very near future settings) for our reactions. It explores the emotional impact of this social change and our varied responses to it. An articulation of the small changes that lead to the cataclysms in the novels, shown through nostalgic flashbacks and reflections, presents to us ways by which we can move forward and use our past longings for positive future change. <br/>