Unpacking Posthumanism in A Light Blue Jumper: An Examination of Sidra F. Sheikh's Narrative

Abstract

This study examines the comic science fiction novel The Light Blue Jumper (2017) by Sidra Fatima Sheikh through the lens of Posthumanism. The research identifies posthuman characters, explores their interactions with other entities, and analyzes the depicted posthuman future. The study reveals a dystopian future marked by war, terror, and power manipulation, illustrating a paradigm shift in science fiction. By applying the theoretical framework of philosophical and critical Posthumanism, this research demonstrates the novel's significance in addressing the challenges of the technological era and the human evolution towards posthumans.

The study contends that the novel presents a dystopian vision of the future, marked by power struggles, manipulation, and violence. This grim prognosis serves as a commentary on the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of unchecked technological progress. Through a critical posthumanist perspective, this research demonstrates how Sheikh's novel contributes to a paradigmatic shift in science fiction, one that prioritizes the exploration of posthuman subjectivities and the reconfiguration of human experience.

By examining the intersections of technology, power, and identity, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the novel's engagement with posthumanist thought. Ultimately, this research highlights the significance of "The Light Blue Jumper" as a work of science fiction that challenges readers to confront the implications of human evolution in a rapidly changing world.