“THE MUTATIONS OF SOLITUDE” BY YANG PHAN: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF POSTHUMANIST CRITICISM
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Abstract
As the literary landscape increasingly aligns with the forces of globalization, Vietnamese science fiction is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by both an expansion in volume and a deepening of thematic complexity. Emerging authors are venturing into uncharted territories, weaving narratives that integrate the latest advancements in science and technology—ranging from cybernetics and biotechnology to artificial intelligence. These works transcend traditional boundaries, offering fresh interpretations of posthuman that carry profound philosophical implications. In this milieu, Yang Phan’s The Mutations of Solitude (2024) stands out as a remarkable work, interrogating the very essence of what it means to exist in a world where the lines between the human and the posthuman blur. Through the perspective of posthumanist criticism, this research paper embarks on a parallel reading and comparative analysis to delve into the core questions Yang Phan raises about embodiment, identity, ethics, religion of posthuman; and the challenges that technologies pose to human life, pushing the boundaries of what we conceive as 'human' in both the present and the speculative future. In addition, the article not only clarifies Yang Phan's contribution to science fiction but also suggests a promising posthumanist discourse in current Vietnamese literature.
Keywords
posthuman identities, posthuman ethics, posthumanist criticism, science fiction, Yang Phan
Article Details
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