Satire and Alienation in Micromegas by Voltaire Essay

Science Fiction, succinctly defined, is a literary genre generally characterized in form as a world of exaggerated drama which argues a social commentary using current scientific knowledge as its evidence. From the emergence in the 18th century of modern Science Fiction to the 'birth of the book' in the 19th century, each period is distinct, yet at times similar, in their respective techniques of elucidation. From the 18th century, Voltaire's Micromegas, in its highly ironical form, is a perfect demonstration of the time's combination of satire and alienation while from the 19th century, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, is a parody of gothic literature and of Oedipus Rex. Ultimately, 18th century Science Fiction uses satire and alienation while 19th century Science Fiction deals mainly with a parody of the Oedipus Complex .In Micromegas, Voltaire uses science to present the philosophic notion that there is an absurdity to human beliefs and actions. His work suggests that our main faults and vices are inherent to our inaccurate and misguided rationality. By mocking and belittling these faults using sarcastic and ironic devices which logically and scientifically support each other, Voltaire s work allow people to see the incoherence of their own though. He demonstrates this by commenting on the absurdity of war and GodThose sedentary and slothful barbarians, who, From their palaces, give orders for murderingA million of men and then solemnly thank God forTheir success (RABKIN, 67).At the root of his social criticism is a program of reformation. Voltaire s greatest tool in Micromegas is his ability to use alienation to make the seriousness of his argument felt without removing the sarcastic undertones of his satire. The use of alienation allows his points to be fully expressed without offending the reader. For instance, Voltaire strongly objects to the metaphysical and theological views of the world our soul is neither spiritual nor immortal, rather, our essence is based in our thoughts. He suggests that we must...