The Analysis Of Post-Apocalyptic Novel "Station Eleven" By Emily St. John Mandel
The novel, “Station Eleven”, by Emily St. John Mandel, begins surprisingly with the end of the world as people know it. While performing onstage, Arthur Leander, playing the role of King Arthur, falls dead to a heart attack. Shortly after this tragedy, a highly contagious and destructive flu breaks out, killing off the vast majority of the world’s population.
Kirsten Raymonde, an 8-year-old actress playing the role of Lear’s daughter, was one of the many who witnessed the tragic death of Arthur. Mandel then jumps forward in time, when Kirsten is 28 years old. There are no more countries, no more boarders; only small towns remain, and even they are scarce. At this time, Kirsten has used her acting talents to enter the group called the Traveling Symphony.
The group is made up of musicians and actors that travel from town to town, playing mostly Shakespeare. Kirsten is so dedicated to the works of Shakespeare that she has gotten the quote “Survival is insufficient” tattooed on her left forearm. Mandel’s novel brings up very key conversations through her themes and genre. For example, the theme of death and survival is very apparent, considering the genre is a post-apocalyptic world.
The novel focuses more on the survivors and their continuous question of why they were chosen to survive over others. The characters are also attempting to find meaning in their survival by becoming more religious. All of the characters are somehow affected by Arthur Leander’s death, which connects them to each other. Mandel also uses the theme of art throughout the entire novel.
The Traveling Symphony is used as a symbol of the arts by giving the survivors hope and helping them understand the world. The group also serves as the only means of communication. With there being no electricity, and the towns being so far apart, the symphony is the only way to keep up to date on what’s going on around them. As with the death of Arthur, the symphony keeps everyone connected, and Mandel does a very good job at showing the few connections these survivors do in fact have.
In my opinion, Mandel had a very precise point of view that she wanted to express. She wanted us as readers to be aware of what’s going on around us, and how it is all connected. I believe that she has achieved this goal, and even exceeded it. Mandel makes you question everything as we know it. She forces us to think outside of the box and look past our fancy electronics. Personally, my opinion of the novel did not change after hearing her speak. Before convocation, I felt as though her message was strong and clear.
Convocation defiantly did not change that opinion, if anything, it only amplified my thoughts. I would very confidently recommend “Station Eleven” to anyone who likes being faced with challenge, as well as anyone who likes post-apocalyptic books, movies, or television shows, such as “The Walking Dead”. Mandel does a very good job at showing what her idea of a post-apocalyptic looks like.
Although it’s the basic elements of the destroyed world, such as, no electricity, little to no communication, and the fight for survival; Mandel does an amazing job at giving us small differences, such as the Traveling Symphony. If you don’t like post-apocalyptic novels, and think they are pointless, then tis novel probably isn’t for you.
