‘Watch Thou For the Mutant!’: Literature and Science in the Postwar Era

In the postwar era, science was the source of wild and imaginative terrors: Darwinism, genetics and atomic radiation combined into a heady mix in the minds of science-fiction writers. This lecture explores the monsters, mutants and aliens of postwar science-fiction from B-Movies to bestsellers, inspired by developments in science and commenting on pressing political and cultural fears. A particularly good example is John Wyndham, author of catastrophes like The Day of the Triffids (1951) and The Chrysalids (1955). Expect cloned Nazis in flying saucers, mutant telepathic children and eight foot walking plants that eat people... Look out - it's behind you!

The Durham Late Summer Lecture Series is designed to showcase postgraduate research in the Department of English Studies to a general audience from both within and outside of the university, and to offer PhD students and post-docs in the Department of English Studies an opportunity for lecturing and aims to provide valuable experience for later job applications.

Contact late-summer.lectures@durham.ac.uk for more information about this event.