A CRITICAL STUDY OF EXISTENCE IN MANDEL’S APOCALYPTIC SCI-FI SEA OF TRANQUILITY

Abstract

This paper critically examines the existentialist themes evident in the apocalyptic sci-fi Sea of Tranquility (2022). It reveals intricate complexities surrounding human existence and free will across different periods of time. Each character within Sea of Tranquility deals with fundamental question regarding individual life and existence. The narrative effortlessly intertwines multiple storylines set within various eras to explore collective human experiences. Ranging from 1912 to 2401, this work carries multiple characters who advocate feelings of solitude throughout distinct segments of the plotline. Set within a post-apocalyptic backdrop, Sea of Tranquility transports readers into a world lacking familiar systems and structures that once defined society. This research investigates the impact of science and technology on human condition, aspirations, and making unconventional choices. This is a qualitative research utilizing the framework Sartre's existentialism to probe the notion of meaningful existence and emancipation in a post-apocalyptic simulative dystopia.