The Californian “Trash World:” Crisis and Catastrophe in Philip K. Dick’s Novels

Abstract

Philip K. Dick – both in his function as a science fiction and Californian author – infused his novels with dimensions of crisis and catastrophe. Crisis being defined by an individual, often psychological state; and catastrophe being defined by a cataclysm that happens society-wide but is mythical rather than psychological. Crisis and catastrophe were also constants in Dick’s life. Along with contextualizing the manifestation of crisis and catastrophe in his life story, this
article aims to elaborate upon – and contextualize – three different manifestations: political crisis, spiritual crisis and apocalyptic catastrophe. How do crisis and catastrophe find their place in Dick’s homegrown vision? And how does this relate to other facets of his work, like the concept of alternate realities? The greater context is Dick’s vision of his home state as a “trash land”. This article will also touch upon the ramifications crisis and catastrophe as constants in Dick’s novels have upon theli terary understanding of the state of California. And, by default, the rest of the country.