The Cold War: a standoff between nuclear superpowers which constantly threatened each other with mutual destruction, during this time both the United States and the Soviet Union stockpiled huge arsenals of nuclear weapons aimed at each other. This problem was further exacerbated in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 where the Americans discovered that the Soviets were installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, ninety miles off the coast of Florida.
The technological boom: was in its infancy however it was a time where the military began to rely on computers including aspects of their nuclear arsenal which caused anxiety over the level of power given to technology. The Vietnam War: was at its peak at the time of publication for “I have no mouth” in 1967 with the largest U.S military offensive occurring in February. The war represented a time of ambiguity with American participation being sold on the basis of the “Domino theory” however by 1967 the public’s opinion on the war had split with protest being a regular occurrence. It was a time of public unrest and upheaval showing a cultural anxiety which is reflected within “I Have no Mouth, and I Must Scream”.
What Subgenre does it adhere to?
In relation to the historical patterns of science fiction “I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream” can be categorised within the “New Wave” phase of science fiction that occurred approximately within the 1960’s and 70’s. The text fits the idea of being a social science fiction where although the catalyst of the narrative is a technological change the main focus is on the social environment that caused that change, and the social implications of the advanced technology as a metaphor for existing human conditions. However the text is better described within the subgenre of a Dystopian Science Fiction where the characters experiences complete suffering and oppression based on a