APOCALYPSE AND LITERARY PSYCHOLOGISM IN RAY BRADBURYʼS STORY "THE LAST NIGHT OF THE WORLD"

Abstract

This article presents a psychological and philosophical analysis of Ray Bradburyʼs short story “The Last Night of the World.” The primary aim of the study is to examine the representation of the apocalyptic motif in fantastic literature through the prism of human psychology and to identify the specific features of artistic psychologism in Bradburyʼs prose. The research problem arises from the contrast between the dominant cultural perception of apocalypse as a source of chaos and panic and Bradburyʼs alternative narrative model, which depicts calm acceptance and emotional stability. The methodological framework of the study is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines structural and narrative analysis of the literary text with concepts drawn from existential psychology, terror management theory, and narrative psychology. The analysis focuses on three key dimensions: the charactersʼ response to the inevitability of death, the psychological function of everyday routines under existential threat, and the philosophical interpretation of ordinariness as a source of meaning. The results demonstrate that in “The Last Night of the World” the apocalypse is portrayed not as an external catastrophic event but as an internal psychological condition. The absence of panic, preservation of daily rituals, and emotionally balanced interactions between characters function as mechanisms for reducing existential anxiety. Ordinary actions such as conversation, caring for children, and preparing for sleep acquire symbolic significance and serve to maintain psychological continuity and inner harmony. Interpersonal intimacy is shown to be the central protective factor against death-related fear. The study concludes that Bradburyʼs story offers a distinctive model of artistic psychologism in fantastic fiction, in which meaning is generated through simplicity, acceptance, and human connection rather than transcendental or ideological explanations. The narrative challenges conventional apocalyptic discourse by presenting death not as a destructive rupture but as a natural culmination of a meaningful life. The findings contribute to the expansion of theoretical perspectives on psychological analysis in fantastic literature and highlight the enduring literary and philosophical value of Ray Bradburyʼs creative legacy.