Images Of The Apocalypse In American Thought
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Date
1988
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Abstract
America has historically been a land of progress and hope. Consequently, American society is future-oriented. Because of this, the myth of the apocalypse – especially visions of the end of the world – is fundamental to the American consciousness. Just as history tells society where it has been, so the apocalypse tells society where it is going. From seventeenth-century visions of a glorious consummation of history to today's doomsday mentality, America has cultivated a rich and varied apocalyptic tradition.
Throughout the history of American apocalyptic thought, images of the apocalypse have closely reflected societal trends. Gloom and doom prevail with the perceptions of a miasmatic society. But for the most part, versions of the American apocalypse have offered a glimmer of hope in the midst of tribulation.
Description
Program year: 1987/1988
Digitized from print original stored in HDR
Digitized from print original stored in HDR
Keywords
apocalypse, American culture, American history, societal trends