UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 5-1-2017 Cli-Fi Cinema: An Epideictic Rhetoric of Blame Chloe Louise Powell University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons, Film and Media Studies Commons, and the Rhetoric Commons Repository Citation Powell, Chloe Louise, "Cli-Fi Cinema: An Epideictic Rhetoric of Blame" (2017). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3026. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/10986116 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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CLI-FI CINEMA: AN EPIDEICTIC RHETORIC OF BLAME By Chloe Louise Powell Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2015 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts - Communication Studies Department of Communication Studies Greenspun College of Urban Affairs The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2017 Thesis Approval The Graduate College The University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 31, 2017 This thesis prepared by Chloe Louise Powell entitled Cli-Fi Cinema: An Epideictic Rhetoric of Blame is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts - Communication Studies Department of Communication Studies Donovan Conley, Ph.D. Kathryn Hausbeck Korgan, Ph.D. Examination Committee Chair Graduate College Interim Dean David Henry, Ph.D. Examination Committee Member Emma Bloomfield, Ph.D. Examination Committee Member Denise Tillery, Ph.D. Graduate College Faculty Representative ii ABSTRACT Cli-Fi Cinema: An Epideictic Rhetoric of Blame by Chloe Louise Powell Dr. Donovan Conley, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor of Communication Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas This thesis analyzes the symbolic mechanisms of guilt-redemption as developed by Kenneth Burke within two climate fiction (cli-fi) films: The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), and Interstellar (2014). In doing so, this thesis offers an account of: (1) each film’s role in providing their audience temporary assuagement of climate change related guilt, and (2) each film’s role in transmitting values and “attitudes” to build and strengthen communities. Because cli-fi films begin from a dystopic vision of a possible future, it fulfills the "blame" function of epideictic discourse to provoke and inspire the "ecological imagination." Through this provocation, the audience is provided the possibility of hope and redemption through the adoption of the film's values or “equipment.” As each film’s imagination of climate change plays out, their political attitudes are excavated to demonstrate how the texts perform and portray these values. Specifically, I argue that The Day the Earth Stood Still demonstrates an eco-Marxist orientation, while Interstellar maintains a neoliberal environmental orientation. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To all those who have helped me traverse the treacherous road up thesis mountain, I offer a most heartfelt, “thanks!” Alas, I can finally proclaim that I went “back to school, back to school” and proved to Mom that “I’m not a fool.” Mommy Dearest, I hope you know how instrumental you have been to my success throughout my academic journey; I think all the green teas, chardonnay, and Nutella have finally paid off. To Grandma “Peaches” Nancy, (since you are probably the only family member that will read this) thanks for the beautiful fruit bowls and telling Papa and I to stop debating political ideologies at the dinner table. To the rest my family – Brock, Papa, Dad, Jenna, and Greg – if you prove me wrong and you do read this, you have it here in writing that I will give you $10; but seriously, all the thanks, love y’all. To Aurora, Delilah, Esmeralda, Ten, Gypsy, Rusty, and Gem–even though as far as I can tell you have not yet mastered the ability to read–you are the keepers of my secrets, the anchors to my soul, you are my four-legged support systems, my fluffy little Xanax, your service and love will never be forgotten. I would also like to thank: my dynamic cohort, office mates, and patient friends; Black Phillip and his encouragement to live life deliciously; and the many Starbucks baristas who’ve offered me much needed words of encouragement and always ensured my cup ever-floweth with green tea. With immense gratitude, I would like to acknowledge and thank my marvelous committee members whose positivity and patience were fundamental in seeing this project through to its end. To Dr. Denise Tillery, I’ve deeply appreciated having you on my committee, your insights and expertise on the subject have been fruitful and refreshing. To Dr. David Henry, it was a pleasure to have you on my committee, and even though my thesis was outside of your usual interests in guiding projects about “dead, white, Greeks”–which is perhaps my favorite iv “Dr. Henry” quip from your lectures– our wealth of knowledge provided many useful resources and suggestions to round this project out. To Dr. Emma Bloomfield, all your advice, impromptu Burke “bashes,” and horror film chats have been a highlight along my thesis journey. I’m pleased to have been your “first” thesis committee advisees; here's to finally getting my "kitties in a row.” And last but never the least, to the individual without whom this project would have never come to fruition, and to whom will possess my eternal gratitude: Dr. Donovan Conley. Words cannot express how much your guidance, enduring patience, unwavering support, and constant inspiration has impacted my life. I know advising me has been no “small-sized” job, I thank you for faithfully remaining my academic muse through the years. You are someone I know I can always count on for entertaining my random ideas–scholarly or not; pep talks; reassurance and related forms of social support; appreciating my memes; strategically-delivered criticism; ignoring my movie suggestions and then later recommending them to me; quick check- ins that turn into two-hour conversations about black holes and rhetoric; and so many more things that would probably take me another twenty pages to account for. I came to grad school to refine my writing and critical faculties, and you have played a truly instrumental role in helping me to achieve that. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself; I owe you so much more than you’ll ever know, and I truly couldn’t have done any of this without you. All the thanks, of now and always. You’re my boy, Blue. v DEDICATION And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. vii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ................................................................................1 CHAPTER TWO CONCEPTUAL SETUP: EPIDEICTIC BURKEAN BLAME .........16 The Epideictic Genre .............................................................................................18 “Equipment for Living” – An Epideictic “Strategy” .............................................24 Burke’s Guilt-Redemption Cycle ..........................................................................32 Conclusion .............................................................................................................41 CHAPTER THREE THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL ........................................48 Part One: Epideictic Blame for the “Fallen” (Pollution) .......................................52 Part Two: Path to Purgation/Redemption ..............................................................57 Conclusion .............................................................................................................68 CHAPTER FOUR INTERSTELLAR ..............................................................................74 Part One: Epideictic Blame for the “Fallen” (Pollution) .......................................78 Part Two: Redemption- Praise- Solution(s) ...........................................................87 Conclusion ...........................................................................................................104 CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION ................................................................................111 Future Scholarship ...............................................................................................116 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................119