@article{article_1690686, title={The Day of the Triffids and the Aesthetics of the Cosy Catastrophe}, journal={Amasya Sosyal Bilimler Araştırmaları Dergisi}, volume={2}, pages={246–259}, year={2025}, author={Gürova, Ercan}, keywords={Wyndham, Triffidlerin Günü, Güvenli Felaket, Kıyamet}, abstract={John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids (1951) occupies a central position in the subgenre of the "cosy catastrophe"—a term popularised by Brian Aldiss to describe apocalyptic narratives in which the world ends, but polite, middle-class protagonists survive with relative ease. Set against the backdrop of Cold War anxieties, the novel imagines a world devastated by mass blindness and the emergence of mobile, carnivorous plants known as triffids. Drawing on apocalyptic and science fiction theories, this paper argues that Wyndham’s catastrophe functions as both a metaphor for post-war disorientation and a vehicle for ideological reflection. The analysis begins by situating the novel within the Cold War context of early 1950s Britain, highlighting the cultural paranoia surrounding scientific progress, bioengineering, and the fragility of modern society. It then considers the triffids as ecological and biotechnological metaphors—embodiments of human hubris and colonial anxiety—and explores how mass blindness disrupts notions of human supremacy. The paper further examines competing responses to the catastrophe, particularly those offered by Beadley’s technocratic colony and Coker’s collectivist experiments, arguing that Wyndham ultimately favors a conservative, middle-class vision of social rebirth. This study aims to investigate The Day of the Triffids as a key example of the “cosy catastrophe” subgenre, situating the novel within the cultural and political anxieties of post-war Britain. Through close textual analysis and contextual readings, the paper explores Wyndham’s treatment of blindness, biotechnological fear, and ecological collapse, drawing on apocalyptic theory, and science fiction criticism.}, number={2}, publisher={Amasya Üniversitesi}, organization={Yazarlar tarafından destekleyici bir kurum belirtilmemiştir.}