Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Dr. Michael Faubion
Second Advisor
Dr. Sonia Hernandez
Third Advisor
Dr. Brian Warren
Abstract
This study analyzes the political and social context of key episodes from 1959 to 1964 of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. His science fiction television series, nestled against the backdrop of the Cold War, showcased his viewpoints on controversial issues from the Holocaust, postwar gender issues, McCarthyism, nuclear war and totalitarianism. As he was often fond of saying, “Aliens Can Say What Humans Can’t.” Also integrated in this study is showing how The Twilight Zone served as both an agent of change as well as a reflection of the times. This in turn, encouraged the masses to question and modify belief systems using both televisions hegemonic and empowering functions. Additionally, the ironic endings and unconventional interpretation of events also gave him both the means and the ends in constructing social realities for the viewers and to reorder his universe as reflected in The Twilight Zone.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2012 Lisa M. Howell. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/aliens-say-what-humans-cant-popular-culture/docview/1289189849/se-2