The Representation of Identity and Alienation in Modern European Society in Super-Cannes

Abstract

This study examines the themes of identity and alienation in J.G. Ballard's novel Super-Cannes through Jean Baudrillard's theory of hyperreality, specifically the Three Orders of Simulacra. By analyzing the hyperreal corporate environment depicted in the novel, this research explores how the idealized setting of Eden-Olympia, a high-tech business park, reflects the erosion of individuality, the dehumanizing effects of capitalism, and the moral decay of its inhabitants. The research questions that will act as the framework of this research are: 1) How does Super-Cannes by JG Ballard depict modern European society? 2) How does the construction of hyperreality in Super-Cannes by JG Ballard reflect the portrayal of modern European society? 3) What are the implications of identity and alienation in the hyperreal modern European society in Super-Cannes? By employing a qualitative approach, the study focuses on the novel's narrative structure, character interactions, as well as representations of hyperreal constructs to uncover how these elements illuminate psychological and ethical challenges in modern European society. The outcomes show that hyperreality in Super-Cannes reshapes the concepts of identity and alienation, illustrating how individuals become trapped in artificial constructs that prioritize profit and efficiency over fundamental human values.