The apocalyptic imaginary during the fin de siècle

This thesis addresses four British Gothic authors of varied upbringings and literary styles who published bestselling fiction that not only terrified and tantalized their readers, but broadened the apocalyptic imaginary of the late nineteenth century. These four authors and their texts are H.G. Wells and "The War of the Worlds" (1898), Joseph Conrad and "Heart of Darkness" (1899), Bram Stoker and "Dracula" (1897), and Richard Marsh and "The Beetle" (1897). Whether by cosmic invasion ("The War of the Worlds"), solar entropy ("Heart of Darkness"), viral epidemic (Dracula), and/or the destabilization of human and national identity ("Dracula" and "The Beetle"), these authors and texts channelled the cultural anxieties of the fin de siècle, and confronted the complacency and greed of imperial Britain. They also updated or borrowed from old religious myths in order to educate their audiences on “new formations,” like germ theory (Stoker), “new imperialism” (Conrad), and Darwinian retrogression (Wells). With regards to methodology, each chapter builds up to an analysis of the main text in question by contemplating the relevant author’s religious upbringing, literary and political influences, and artistic pursuits. It also examines the tributary texts that informed the novels, and how they did or (in the case of "The Beetle") did not achieve mythic status.