Brooding on the vast abyss : the history, theory, and consequence of alternative fictional world-building

Contrary to Darko Suvin's claim that science fiction contains revolutionary political potential, while fantasy literature does not, this dissertation will argue that fantasy literature--particularly its power to create alternative worlds between which the consciousness of the reader may move--is of fundamental importance to the creation of what I call "apocalyptic consciousness," the ability to break from the conventional understanding of the world and provides a clean slate to imagine alternative political formulations.