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From Fantasy to Imagination a Study of Italo Calvino's Cosmicomics

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From Fantasy to Imagination a Study of Italo Calvino's Cosmicomics From Fantasy to Imagination A Study of Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Philosophy in English Literature by Noble Thomas 1730014 Under the Supervision of John Joseph Kennedy Professor Department of English CHRIST (Deemed to be University) BENGALURU, INDIA December 2018 Approval of Dissertation Dissertation entitled “From Fantasy to Imagination: A Study of Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics” by Noble Thomas, Reg. No. 1730014 is approved for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy in English Literature. Supervisor: ______________________________________ Chairperson: ______________________________________ General Research Coordinator: ______________________________________ Date: Place: Bengaluru ii DECLARATION I, Noble Thomas, hereby declare that the dissertation, titled “From Fantasy to Imagination: A Study of Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics” is a record of original research work undertaken by me for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy in English Literature. I have completed this study under the supervision of Dr. John Joseph Kennedy, Professor and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Co-Supervisor Dr. Bidyut Bhusan Jena, Assistant Professor at the Department of English. I also declare that this dissertation has not been submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or other title. I hereby confirm the originality of the work and that there is no plagiarism in any part of the dissertation. Place: Bengaluru Date: Noble Thomas Reg No: 1730014 Department of English CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru iii CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the dissertation submitted by Noble Thomas (Reg. No. 1730014) titled “From Fantasy to Imagination: A Study of Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics” is a record of research work done by him during the academic year 2017-2018 under my/our supervision in partial fulfillment for the award of Master of Philosophy in English Literature. This dissertation has not been submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or other title. I hereby confirm the originality of the work and that there is no plagiarism in any part of the dissertation. Place: Bengaluru Date: Dr. John Joseph Kennedy Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru Head of the Department Department of English CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru iv Acknowledgement I take this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable assistance I have received from various quarters during the preparation of my dissertation. First and foremost, I thank Almighty God for the eternal providence and blessings showered upon me throughout this M.Phil course and the inspirational and enriching journey of building up of the dissertation. I remember with gratitude, the help and guidance received during the course of my study from the management and the department of English, and special thanks to HOD, Dr. Adhaya N.B. The guiding spirit behind this research is Dr. John Joseph Kennedy, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, whose valuable suggestions inspired me to move ahead. I am grateful to the internal examiner as well as co-guide Dr. Bidyut Bhusan Jena, for his support and guidance in the preparation of the dissertation. He authoritatively guided me with the firm support of his scholarship. I am much obliged to Dr. Kishore Selva Babu, coordinator of M.Phil programme for extending support to accomplish the research work on time. I would like to thank my classmates and friends as well. It has been enriching years, full of laughter, hard work and supportive optimism for one another. v Abstract The modern era is characterised by the rapid advancements in science and technology. Science replaces the knowledge system traditionally represented by philosophy, religion and literature. The writers and critics of imaginative literature look at science as a source of information and knowledge and receive renewed interest to learn human condition and to seek the mystery of the universe. This paper evaluates the developments in contemporary cosmology and the worldview attached to it. It also takes into account the world of science fiction emerging today as an impact of the scientific and technological advancements. The difference between fantasy and imagination is brought out systematically and their presence in Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics is examined. It helps the paper to establish the fact that there is a move from the world of fantasy to the level of imaginations with the help of scientific developments of the contemporary times. The paper finds in the Cosmicomics tales a movement from the mere use of fantasy to the analysis of data and reseraches in science. Therefore we are able to use our imagination capacity to read those tales. They are not merely fantasy anymore. We can imagine the narration using the scientific data available today, which is the same lying behind them. The increasing use of science in literature and literary creations will help people to enjoy reading and receive more real information regarding realities and say good bye to fantasy, that is behind many blind beliefs and evil practices. Key Words: Imagination, Fantasy, Fiction, Science, Science Fiction, Worldview, Cosmology, Cosmicomics, Cosmos vi Contents Approval of Dissertation ii Declaration iii Certificate iv Acknowledgements v Abstract vi Contents vii Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Science and Science fiction 3 1.2 The Importance of a Worldview 5 1.3 Developments in Modern Cosmology and the Emergence of a New Worldview 6 1.4 Research Objective 7 1.5 Research Questions 7 1.6 Method 7 1.7 Methodology 8 1.8 Limitation 8 1.9 Scope and Significance of the Study 9 1.10 Literature Review 9 1.10.1 Books 9 1.10.2 Articles 13 1.10.2.1 Italo Calvino and essays on Calvino 13 1.10.2.2 Literature and Science 18 1.10.2.3 Imagination 20 1.10.2.4 Cosmology 22 Works Cited 24 Chapter 2 Fantasy, Imagination and Fiction 25 2.1 Imagination and Fantasy 25 2.1.1 Etymology 25 2.1.2 ‘Imagination’ and ‘Fantasy’ in the dictionaries 26 2.1.3 Imagination in Various Disciplines 28 2.1.4 Fiction and Fantasy 32 2.1.5 Science Fiction and Fantasy 33 2.2 Science Fiction and Subgenres 34 2.2.1 Science Fiction 34 2.2.2 Subgenres of science fiction 36 2.2.2.1 Alternate history 37 vii 2.2.2.2 Apocalyptic science fiction 37 2.2.2.3 Cross-genre 37 2.2.2.4 Cyberpunk 38 2.2.2.5 First Contact 38 2.2.2.6 Hard science fiction 38 2.2.2.7 Light/humorous science fiction 39 2.2.2.8 Military science fiction 39 2.2.2.9 Near-future science fiction 39 2.2.2.10 Soft/sociological science fiction 39 2.2.2.11 Space opera, 39 2.2.2.12 Time travel 40 2.3 Italo Calvino and Science Fiction 40 2.4 Cosmicomics 42 Works Cited 45 Chapter 3 Evolution of Modern Cosmology 49 3.1 Worldviews: Traditional and Contemporary 49 3.1.1 Static view 50 3.1.2 Finished product view 50 3.1.3 The best universe in the beginning 50 3.1.4 Geocentrism 50 3.1.5 Celestial/terrestrial distinction 50 3.1.6 Change and immutability 51 3.1.7 Fixity of Species 51 3.1.8 Natural place and definite, predetermined purpose 51 3.1.9 Absoluteness of principles 51 3.1.10 Human-centered view 52 3.2 Modern Cosmology and New Insights 53 3.2.1 Our Cosmos 54 3.2.2 Theories of the Origin of the Cosmos 55 3.2.2.1 The Steady State Theory 56 3.2.2.2 The Big Bang Theory 57 3.2.2.2.1 Hubble Expansion 58 3.2.2.2.2 Big Bang Nucleosynthesis 59 3.2.2.2.3 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMWBR) 60 3.3 The New Understanding of Cosmos 61 3.3.1 The Cosmic Oneness 62 3.3.2 Universe is Intrinsically Dynamic 63 3.3.3 The Future of the Universe 66 3.3.4 Many Worlds Interpretations (Multiverses) 67 3.3.5 Time Travel 68 3.3.6 Extra-terrestrial Life 70 viii 3.3.7 Concept of Multidimensional Space and Non-linear Time 71 Conclusion 73 Work Cited 75 Chapter 4 Italo Calvino and Cosmicomics 78 4.1 The Distance of the Moon 78 4.2 At Daybreak 80 4.3 A Sign in Space 82 4.4 All at One Point 84 4.5 Without Colours 86 4.6 Games Without End 88 4.7 The Aquatic Uncle 90 4.8 How Much Shall We Bet? 91 4.9 The Dinosaurs 93 4.10 The Form of Space 94 4.11 The Light Years 95 4.12 The Spiral 96 Conclusion 97 Work Cited 98 Chapter 5 Conclusion 100 5.1 Some Observations 104 5.2 Research Findings and its Social Relevance 105 5.3 Limitations of the Study 106 5.4 Further Scope 106 Work Cited 107 Bibliography 108 ix Chapter 1 Introduction The modern era is characterised by the rapid advancements in science and technology. Science replaces the knowledge system traditionally represented by philosophy, religion and literature. The writers and critics of imaginative literature look at science as a source of information and knowledge and receive renewed interest to learn human condition and to seek the mystery of the universe. Many insights/ theories and discoveries of the modern science such as chaos theory, theory of relativity, cybernetics, quantum theory, theory of evolution etc., have contributed them with an immense amount of inspiration and provided them with new methods of thinking. Consequently, literature of the postmodern era also assimilates the content of the scientific progress as an integral part of its development.
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