Humanity in Science Fiction: Analyzing Narrative Structures in Kurt Vonnegut's Science Fiction Short Stories

Fatmanegara, M. Taufiq (2025) Humanity in Science Fiction: Analyzing Narrative Structures in Kurt Vonnegut's Science Fiction Short Stories. S1 thesis, Universitas Andalas.

	Text (COVER & ABSTRACT) COVER & ABSTRACT.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)
	Text (CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION) CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)
	Text (CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION) CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)
	Text (REFERENCES) REFERENCES.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)
	Text (FULL THESIS) M.TaufiqFatmanegara - An Udergraduated Thesis.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (6MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze the narrative structure based on Tzvetan Todorov’s theory in five selected science fiction short stories by Kurt Vonnegut. The stories are found in the short story collection Welcome to the Monkey House: The Special Edition, namely EPICAC, Harrison Bergeron, Report on the Barnhouse Effect, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and Welcome to the Monkey House. The research data are in the form of narrative texts from the selected five short stories. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method with literature study and text analysis techniques. The results of the overall analysis show that the selected stories follow Todorov’s five narrative stages, such as Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition, Repair, and New Equilibrium. Each narrative stage is identified in the five stories, showing the transformation of the initial situation to a New Equilibrium in each narrative. The five stories also feature themes of humanity, technological progress, and social criticism of modern society. Thus, this study confirms that Vonnegut’s science fiction stories maintain humanitarian values amidst technological progress and convey social criticism through Todorov’s narrative structure. This study provides an in-depth understanding of how Vonnegut highlights humanitarian and social issues in his works of science fiction. This study is expected to enrich literary studies on science fiction and narrative.

Actions (login required)

View Item