The allegorical dimension in Pepetela's novel O quase fim do mundo

• Main Author: Maria Cristina Batalha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 2017-11-01
• Series: Brumal: Revista de Investigación sobre lo Fantástico
• Subjects: pepetela; fantastic literature
• Online Access: https://revistes.uab.cat/brumal/article/view/413

<p class="CorpoA">The aim of this text is to reflect on the construction of modern fantastic literature through the analysis of Pepetela’s novel <em>O quase fim do mundo</em> (2008). This is a novel about a catastrophe, namely the fact that the use of a weapon of mass destruction eliminates almost all humans and other animal species on Earth. I will observe the creation of unusual and plural worlds that promote the displacement from a real world that is not denied, but presented by the development of science and a new human status. This catastrophe allows for the emergence of a new era, with conditions and different lifestyles, which, in its turn, makes possible the rising of a communist society. However, this is not achieved, because if there are positive signs in this society, such as social equity, there is also evidence that proves the contrary, such as ethnic bias and a probable return of old style social classes and all that comes with it. This book also demonstrates how the concept of an absolute truth is replaced by other truths via constant historic and aesthetic displacements coming from new African writers and their writing.</p><p> </p>