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Report On The Threatened City

Doris Lessing's short story "Report on the Threatened City" portrays a world marked by distrust among nations and an impending threat of conflict overshadowing individual cities. Through the lens of alien observers, the story reveals a starkly divided world where military might overrides cooperation. Lessing uses the formal report structure and subtitles to establish a sense of immediacy and objectivity, guiding the reader through key developments and emphasizing the seriousness of the depicted events. Framing the narrative as a series of reports underscores Lessing's themes of control, power dynamics, and societal tensions, highlighting their systemic presence throughout the story.

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Zaynab Roheemun
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2K views1 page

Report On The Threatened City

Doris Lessing's short story "Report on the Threatened City" portrays a world marked by distrust among nations and an impending threat of conflict overshadowing individual cities. Through the lens of alien observers, the story reveals a starkly divided world where military might overrides cooperation. Lessing uses the formal report structure and subtitles to establish a sense of immediacy and objectivity, guiding the reader through key developments and emphasizing the seriousness of the depicted events. Framing the narrative as a series of reports underscores Lessing's themes of control, power dynamics, and societal tensions, highlighting their systemic presence throughout the story.

Uploaded by

Zaynab Roheemun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction:

Doris Lessing, renowned for her adept fusion of psychological and social realism within science fiction
and fantasy settings, demonstrates her thematic preoccupations in "Report on the Threatened City."
This story, drawn from her collection of Stories, exemplifies Lessing's exploration of control, power
dynamics, acceptance, disillusionment, change, and failure. In examining the narrative through the
lens of control, the reader encounters a world fraught with hostility and international tension,
mirroring the Cold War era's geopolitical landscape. Lessing portrays a global stage marked by distrust
among nations, each vying to bolster their military might at the expense of cooperation and unity.
Through the lens of the alien observers, the story unveils a stark portrayal of a divided world, where
the looming specter of conflict overshadows concerns for individual cities, such as the titular
threatened city. This dichotomy underscores Lessing's overarching concerns as a writer, where she
skillfully intertwines personal and political themes, drawing parallels between her characters'
experiences and her own ideological convictions. Despite her resignation from the British Communist
Party in protest of Stalinism, Lessing remains a steadfast political activist, committed to confronting
injustice and advocating for change. Moreover, the historical earthquakes in 1906 and 1971 serve as
additional layers of context, highlighting the fragility and vulnerability of human civilization amidst
broader geopolitical tensions and societal upheavals. Thus, "Report on the Threatened City" emerges
as a poignant reflection of Lessing's enduring critique of power structures, societal divisions, and the
perilous consequences of unchecked militarism.

The narrative structure of "Report on the Threatened City," with its use of subtitles like "Priority
Flash One," "Summary," and others reminiscent of a formal report, serves several purposes:

The utilization of report-style subtitles in "Report on the Threatened City" serves multifaceted
purposes. Firstly, it establishes a sense of immediacy and clarity, presenting information in a concise
and organized manner, akin to official documents, thereby enhancing the story's realism and
credibility. Secondly, this structured format maintains an objective tone throughout the narrative,
enabling readers to observe events impartially and draw their own conclusions, thus deepening the
story's impact and encouraging critical analysis. Additionally, each subtitle emphasizes key points or
developments, guiding reader attention and ensuring comprehension, thereby contributing to the
story's overall coherence and effectiveness. Moreover, the formal report language lends an
authoritative tone to the narrative, enhancing the credibility of the information presented and
accentuating the seriousness of the depicted events in the eyes of the reader. Lastly, by framing the
narrative as a series of official reports, Lessing engages with the theme of control, power dynamics,
and societal tensions, underscoring the institutionalized nature of these issues and highlighting their
systemic and pervasive presence throughout the story.

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