A deconstructive critique of J.G. Ballard's Billennium

Abstract

A pioneer of postmodernist fiction, James Graham Ballard has written many works that have challenged the limits of human insight. As the author of many postmodern works, including Crash, High Rise and Concrete Island, J.G. Ballard has revolutionized fiction in the late 20th century. Billennium is a short story published by Ballard in the 1962 edition of Amazing Stories. The story is set in the distant future where the world’s population has reached 20 billion and people’s lives have changed dramatically. This presentation contemplates to deconstruct Ballard’s Billennium by exposing the binary oppositions presented in the story. In specific, themes, symbols and covert messages will be revealed in connection with these binary oppositions. To that end, an overview of the lifestyle in an overpopulated world is also explored in detail with references to the text. The significance of space and living room is argued in connection with the notions of privacy and liberty. Moreover, American philosopher Lewis Mumford’s concept of organic humanism is argued in relation to Ballard’s Billennium. Finally, Ballard’s dystopian vision of overpopulation is discussed in detail with references to other authors who have dealt with the same issue.