Interpreting Innocence: Romantic Thought in Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

During my last two years in college (2013-2015) I was intrigued by the volume of post-apocalyptic fictions that were bombarding American media. From vampire love stories to zombie apocalypses, it seemed that one way we began to deal with environmental devastation was through fantasizing about disaster in a way that made it more palatable or, in some cases, entertaining. My coursework at Bates College drew my interest to the role of children and their stereotypical innocence in fictional works. This piece examines the intersection of youthful imagination with fictitious environmental tragedy by exploring the question, "How can we become our own Romantic Children?" It urges the reader to engage in creative introspection and active thinking about her own role in our current environmental crisis.