Postmodernism and the Matrix

Postmodernism in The Matrix Postmodern writing evolved around WWII in response to Modernism that dominated the 19th c. The two writing styles share many characteristics, but the defeated modernist wallows in his realizations whereas the postmodernist offers a light or hope in conclusion. There is still a sense of foreboding for the postmodernist concerning science and technology. However, they are able to forge past their distrust, accept it as a logical progression, and begin to embrace some elements of advancement. Postmodernists have also lost faith in transcendence and spirituality, but to counter this loss they search and find hope in mystical forces or worldly treasures. Objective reality doesn’t exist for them either, but this is offset by acceptance. Postmodern thinkers are resigned to the fact that not all people will see things the same way. Postmodernists feeling of deception posed by our cultural belief system is coupled with a commitment to understanding the lie, its origin, and believing this effort will lead us closer to the truth. There is also a strong commitment and faith in eventual political change within postmodern thought. Evidence of these postmodern characteristics is overwhelming in the contemporary science fiction film trilogy The Matrix. Uncovering an example of loss of faith in cultural belief system is evident within the first hour of the series. The lead character Neo feels that something isn’t quite right in the world he lives in. This sensitivity spawns his search for truth. Truth for Neo comes in the shape of a red pill. He takes a leap of faith and accepts this offering and is immediately thrust further into the truth than he cares to know. He learns the origin of his beliefs and his life is forever changed. Neo’s mundane existence as an average social deviant was a lie perpetuated by radically advanced, self serving, technology. His entire world is a computer program developed to maintain a happy imprisoned