ABSTRACT Dynamics of Conspiracy in Select Novels of Sidney Sheldon Submitted by F. Laltlankimi Regn. No. MZU/M.Phil./301 of 19.04.2016 Supervisor Prof. Margaret L. Pachuau DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH MIZORAM UNIVERSITY 2016 Laltlankimi | 1 The theme of conspiracy is widely adopted in the many forms of popular culture which are commonly based on the real beliefs of conspiracy thinkers in society. The novels of American writer Sidney Sheldon have also widely depicted the many forms of popular conspiracy theories that are familiar among the masses. Sheldon’s thriller novels greatly depict characters caught between conspiracies of massive proportions and by doing so, they depict the various features and characteristics of conspiracy theorizing. Through the study and analysis of the novels of Sidney Sheldon namely, The Doomsday Conspiracy (1991), Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2004) and Windmills of the Gods (1987) this study explores and highlights the various dynamics that are identified within the domains of conspiracy beliefs. Sheldon’s novels are mostly in the romantic thriller genre and he mostly writes in a manner that keeps his reader captivated within the plot of the story. He portrays his heroes and heroines as enduring through deception, conspiracy and disasters of all kinds as they find love, passion and peace in the midst of hectic action and danger. Through his usual method of fast paced narration and frantic developments, Sheldon’s novels illustrate the dynamics of the system of conspiracy thinking . By utilizing theories of conspiracy that are familiar in society, Sheldon can thus be seen as providing a viewpoint towards such theories and their manifold features through the plot construction of his novels. The notion of conspiracy is not an unfamiliar concept in the history of human relations. It is not difficult to comprehend that conspiracies of all kinds have been operational in the functioning and evolution of modern society. Illegal operations, criminal activities and undisclosed businesses of many kinds are indeed, very much a part of society. Denying that conspiracies exist would be greatly inaccurate as withholding information and secret planning are common aspects of societal affairs. It also becomes an inevitability that many theories of conspiracy have Laltlankimi | 2 emerged in society that hypothesize the deceit and secret planning that is kept functional without the awareness of the greater part of the population. With the advancement in technology and the technological means of media and communication, the concept of conspiracy have been exposed to a platform for expression which have not been made available in previous eras. With the popularity of the media, the aspect of conspiracy and its many theories have been established as a form of modern folklore in contemporary society and thus, such theories are thought to be a form of paranoid approach and are often only referred to as a means of entertainment. Popular conspiracy theories that are made familiar in society includes such theories like the existence of extra-terrestrial beings from outer space, secret societies within the established governments of the world and supposed plans for world domination and de-population by influential leaders. Charles Pigden has noted, “The conventional wisdom on conspiracy theories is that they ought not to be believed.” (219) The usual understanding of conspiracy theories is that they are but false speculations and misconceptions and are regarded as nothing more than mere beliefs of delusional individuals. In 1964, American historian Richard Hofstadter has offered an explanation of conspiracy theories and why they ought not be taken seriously ; his essay titled “The Paranoid Style in American Politics” chronicles the somewhat complicated history of how conspiracy theories have been formulated. Hofstadter, in his essay, highlights the different cultural, political and religious developments that brought about hysteria, mass panic and uproar within civilized organizations and denoted how such events eventually brought about the many speculated conspiracy theories. What Hofstadter emphasizes in his essay is primarily composed of psychological findings thus, he concludes that the notion of conspiracy Laltlankimi | 3 theorizing is the product of psychological disorders. The labelling of conspiracy theories as a “paranoid style” of approach by Hofstadter is very much shared in conventional thinking ; claiming that a person is a ‘conspiracy theorist’ would imply that that person is suffering from delusional tendencies and likewise, calling something a ‘conspiracy theory’ becomes equivalent to calling the theory a ludicrous speculation. Hence, conspiracy narratives are associated in conventional society with derogatory means and definitions. Conspiracy theories are abundantly found in popular society, some of which are based on factual occurrences and are capable of actually uncovering a conspiracy, while some are based purely on unhealthy obsessions and fantastical imaginations. Therefore, the matter of conspiracy theories and what constitutes such theories is composed of complex characteristics that are difficult to categorize. The forms of conspiracy theories that are popular are not always similar to one another, however, conspiracy theories are known to have in common a rebellious nature that rejects the conventionally accepted systems of functioning in society. As Robert Brotherton has noted : In conspiracy rhetoric, the mainstream explanation is usually termed the official story. This disparaging label is intended to imply that the explanation is merely an account that happens to be proffered by some official source, and so should not be trusted. Indeed, a conspiracy theory need not offer a coherent, fleshed out alternative scenario. It may simply be based around allegation that something is wrong with the official statement. (10) What Brotherton has stated regarding the mental state of conspiracy theorists is taken from the standpoint of psychological reasoning where paranoia is mostly Laltlankimi | 4 associated with conspiracy thinking. Psychological explanations of conspiracy beliefs are mostly shared among the general masses as the conventional wisdom and thus, labels of derogatory nature such as ‘crazy’, ‘delusional’ and ‘paranoid’ are mostly identified with the features of conspiracy . Conspiracy theories are known to crop up in times of fear, panic and uncertainty, and they are understood as desperate attempts of searching for explanations and meaning by anxious and irrational individuals. Hostility towards powerful institutions is a common aspect of conspiracy theorizing ; such theories are known to target the higher-ups of society whom they speculate to be working against the interest of the common man. Theorists of conspiracy are known to be highly suspicious of events and occurrences that affect a lot of people and are bent on the idea that events of massive scales are somehow orchestrated and elaborately planned. It is believed that there are no accidents, coincidences or mistakes as all occurrences are hypothesized to have significant roles to play in the elaborate conspiracy. What is conventional and accepted as the norms and ideals that govern the people are rejected and challenged through the theories that are hypothesized. Governmental organizations and established institutions within society are viewed with a high level of contempt and suspicion by conspiracy theorists. It is recognized that conspiracy believers do not trust the system by which civilized society is governed. Hence, leaders of world governments and political elites are suspected to be culprits in a conspiracy that maintains a status quo which favours the elites only. Doubtful attitudes towards dominant factors in society thus, remain a common feature in conspiracy thinking regardless of the theory. For example, the conspiracy theory regarding the existence of alien beings may completely be different from the theory that natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes are caused by man-made Laltlankimi | 5 machines. However, the similarity between such theories lie in the fact that they do not accept the conventional understanding of events and instead, they sternly believe that such events are attempts to deceive the public and that the actual truth is being withheld by those who possess power in society. In his book entitled Discipline and Punish, Michel Foucault had written, “The individual is no doubt the fictitious atom of an ‘ideological’ representation of society; but he is also a reality fabricated by his specific technology of power that I have called ‘discipline’.” (194) For Foucault, both the concepts of power and knowledge goes hand in hand, therefore, when only certain people control knowledge, oppression becomes a possibility. Foucault’s works include such aspects of disciplinary power wielded by institutions that are aided by the state. In his works, Foucault speaks of how regulations enforced by institutions have been ingrained into the minds of the masses which makes it a possibility for the occurrence of mass coercion without resistance. This concept of being stripped of one’s individuality and freedom coincides with the theories of conspiracy where the rejection of conventional societal norms is a common feature. Through the influence of powerful institutions, the masses are thought to be fed false ideologies that are perceived as truth and in doing so, a system of order is maintained. Power thus, is exercised