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Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020)
Space and Culture, India

Special Articles

The Uninhibited Evolution of the Human Persona: A Transhumanistic Study of Anil Menon’s The Beast with Nine Billion Feet

https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.vi0.740

Published 2020-11-29

  • Narendiran S
    • ,
  • Bhuvaneswari R

Narendiran S
Research Scholar, SAS, Division of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai , Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road, Chennai-600127, Tamilnadu, India

Bhuvaneswari R
Assistant Professor, SAS, Division of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai , Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road, Chennai-600127, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Debates on intuition about transformed humankind in the future have led to the conception of transhumanism. It is a new philosophical movement to express the ideology that humanism will evolve by employing science and technology. Supporters of transhumanism believe that scientific aid in the evolution of humans will take them beyond the bounds of physical and mental limitations; eventually, it will make them immortals. The influence of transhumanism in literature has given birth to seminal works of art, particularly science fiction. Anil Menon’s The Beast with Nine Billion Feet is one such novel which sprang out the moral issues due to the rapid growth of science and technology affecting social, cultural, and political scenarios in India. The story is about genetic engineering and its impact on the socio-political problems. In addition to unfolding the threats and opportunities of transhumanism, the novel also touches on the issues of young adults like acquiring autonomy and finding their true identity. This study attempts to bring out the trepidation and chaos resultant of the period of transition and the multiple challenges and threats to the human race.

Keywords

Transhumanism, Evolution, Technology, Identity, Young Adults

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Author Biography

Narendiran S

Research Scholar, SAS, Division of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai , Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road, Chennai-600127, Tamilnadu, India

Bhuvaneswari R

Assistant Professor, SAS, Division of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai , Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road, Chennai-600127, Tamilnadu, India

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