Humans are notoriously curious. We’re enthralled by the past – by the wars that have happened, the societies that have been lost, and the creatures that have gone extinct or been wiped out. But we’re also curious about the future – what will happen to the planet if global warming continues, World War III, and what technology will be like in five, ten, fifteen years from now. So, it’s not strange that we have an entire subgenre of speculative fiction that theorizes what the end of the world would be like. Make sure your bunker is prepped and stocked as we delve into the world of Apocalyptic Fiction: what it is, why I love it, commonly used tropes, and why it appeals to readers.
What is apocalyptic fiction?
Apocalyptic fiction is one of those subgenres that spans all of speculative fiction. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror… you name it and it can be apocalyptic. First things first, let’s look at the different scopes this genre of fiction can take.
- Apocalyptic Fiction: These stories take place during the end of the world. As the stories unfold, you’ll see society collapse. There is an event that causes life as we know it to completely split at the seams. By the end of said event, society no longer exists – to the point where they have to completely change their way of life. A good example of Apocalyptic Fiction is the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
- Post-Apocalyptic Fiction: These stories are set after the apocalypse. The event that caused the end of the world happened at some point, whether it was a few days ago or thousands of years ago. Depending on how long it’s been since the apocalyptic event, the characters’ lives could have some semblance of normalcy, or they could be struggling to survive. Either way, they’ll be dealing with the issues that follow the breakdown of society. The Walking Dead is a great example of a Post-Apocalyptic story.
While there are slight differences between the two scopes of this genre, the one main constant is that there was an event that led to the collapse of society as we know it. These events can be anything from war, climate change, resource depletion, a pandemic, a religious rapture, technology, oppression, or a corrupt government. The other constant is that the characters must fight to survive, whether that’s surviving the event itself or the aftermath.
Common Tropes
Some of the most common tropes you’ll see in Apocalyptic Fiction are events that cause the apocalypse. Nuclear War, oppressive governments, technology taking over, zombie viruses, climate change, religious rapture, and alien invasions tend to be the bread and butter of Apocalyptic Fiction. The settings of these stories can differ depending on genre, but most of them take place on an Earth that’s been ravaged by the event and time. You’ll find crumbling cities where nature (or mutated monsters) have taken over, vast wastelands where hardly anything exists, towns that have been built in/on the rubble, and underground bunkers. Apocalypses in Science Fiction might find a group of humans on a new planet struggling to survive. You’ll also find plenty of questions about human nature such as its capacity for good and evil in the face of indescribable circumstances, as well as how the characters cope with loss and loneliness. Other tropes include:
- Reluctant Protagonists: Most of the protagonists in this genre tend to be rather… reluctant. They were thrust into a situation for one reason or another and have to find a way to survive if they don’t want to die. They didn’t choose their lot in life.
- Quest for a Cure: You may find a group of characters trying to find a way to restore society to its former glory. It could be anything from destroying a corrupt government to finding a cure for a virus.
Scarcity of Resources: More often than not, resources in this new world are slim to none. Resources in this case tend to be food, water, fuel, medical supplies, and even technology. It often causes conflict between the characters.
Why I Like Apocalyptic Fiction
There’s something to be said about a character who is up against the deterioration of the world and somehow manages to survive. I love the “against all odds” feel that Apocalyptic Fiction carries. The World is fighting against the characters, and it doesn’t seem like there is any way for them to survive, but somehow, some way, they do. I’m also a total sucker for morally gray characters. Apocalyptic Fiction is littered with them since they have to make decisions that might go against their morals. I also love the relationships that can form from extreme loss and loneliness – and I don’t only mean romantic relationships. I mean platonic relationships as well. There is something beautiful that blooms when characters are faced with the end of the world and survival. And, as morbid as it is, I enjoy the “what if” scenarios that come out of the end of the world.
Why You Should Explore Apocalyptic Fiction
With Apocalyptic Fiction, you have the chance to dish out your most morbid fantasies on society, make your characters suffer through things that can only happen when the world as we know it ceases to exist, and have those same characters come out safe on the other side. You can have your characters test their mettle against something that’s not even human. How do they handle an ice age? Or what will they do when faced with a virus that turns people into zombies? While Apocalyptic Fiction can still have typical antagonists as minor plot points, your major antagonists will be things like society or nature as a whole. It’s a way to look at the typical protagonist vs antagonist storyline because you’ll have to find new ways for your characters to fight against an entity that might not have a physical form.
If you’re looking to create an apocalyptic story, keep the following options in mind:
- What caused the Apocalypse: This is the most important thing to keep in mind because this will determine the direction your story takes. Is Earth slowly dying to the point that humans have to find a new planet to live on? That means the story will have sci-fi elements. Was there a nuclear winter that mutated humans into things like vampires and werewolves? Look into adding a magic aspect that could turn it into fantasy.
- Reluctant Protagonist: Your protagonist isn’t going to be given a choice when it comes to surviving an apocalypse. They’re thrust into the action or a new world where they’re forced to grapple against everything they know to stay alive. They might have to go against their morals to overcome each obstacle, and who knows how that might change them as a person.
- When will the story take place: Is it happening during the actual apocalyptic event, or will it take place after? How long after? A few days or a few years? Maybe a thousand years?
- Rebuilding: Are your characters trying to rebuild the world? Is there a group of people who currently control it? Do the survivors get a utopian society or will it be a nightmare? Are they rebuilding on Earth or did they have to abandon it and try to colonize another planet? If your story takes place during the event, then this might not matter.
If you’re curious about Apocalyptic fiction and want to know more, check out Ash Tales Guide to Apocalyptic Fiction. It’s a great resource with a ton of recommendations!
Apocalyptic Fiction We Love
I read a story ages ago that I keep meaning to re-read and always get distracted by something shiny. Writing this blog has brought it back again and I might finally re-read The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. If you’re a fan of zombies, secrets, and a girl who ends up finding herself even though she’s bogged down by rules, religion, and a fence locking her in, then this is the book for you! It’s YA and in first person present tense, so it’s a different style of writing than what’s considered “the norm” which I think makes for an interesting read. It makes you want to know what life is like beyond the fence and if they’re really the last human civilization left.
BONUS: If you’re a gamer like I am, check out Horizon: Zero Dawn. This game features a post-apocalyptic world where machines run rampant. You can play both the first and second games on PlayStation and PC!
Has my mind been trapped by the solar flares that devastated the world in The Kill Order by James Dashner? You sure bet it has. This book stands out because of its gripping narrative that delves into the origins of the devastating Flare virus, which is central to the Maze Runner series. The novel offers readers a raw and intense portrayal of survival in a world ravaged by chaos and disease right as the event begins. Dashner’s vivid descriptions and relentless pacing immerse readers in a dystopian landscape where danger lurks at every corner, and human resilience is put to the ultimate test. By exploring the prequel events of the main series, The Kill Order provides a deeper understanding of the catastrophic events that shaped the characters’ world, making it a compelling read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction. And the twist? I still think about it to this day.
Swan Song by Robert McCammon was written near the end of the Cold War, and the book ponders the fantastical what-ifs of a world where the supernatural overlays the aftermath of nuclear annihilation. Unlike many post-nuclear stories, this one takes place in the immediate aftermath. Human mutations come in the form of “Job’s Mask,” and a ring that is melded in the fires of fusion carries an otherworldly power to see the potential of a better world.
A lot of apocalyptic fiction is paranoid, verging on scary, but my favorite piece in this bunch leans melancholic. “There Will Come Soft Rains”, featured in Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, is a deeply affecting short story about life after nuclear war. Showing a day in the life of the McClellan household, this poignant piece explores how the world moves on after human life becomes nothing more than a nuclear shadow. This story, as well as many others by Bradbury, has been a massive influence on my own writing. If you want a masterclass on how to make your audience feel a piece with every part of their heart, read this short story.