Introduction
The dystopian television series, Snowpiercer, takes place on a massive train traveling continuously around a frozen world. The passengers aboard the train are the last remaining survivors of a global climate crisis. While this may seem like an unlikely setting for a TV show, the choice to use a train as a mode of transportation lends itself perfectly to the show’s themes. In this article, we will explore the significance of Snowpiercer’s choice of train transportation and the role it plays in the show.
The Science Behind Snowpiercer’s Choice of Train Transportation
With global climate change posing a significant threat to the world, it is not hard to imagine a scenario where humanity has been forced to take drastic measures to stay alive. The show’s choice of a train as a mode of transportation may not be entirely unrealistic in this context. Trains are relatively safe and efficient and could potentially provide a means of survival in a world that has become unlivable. This concept is rooted in scientific studies that have shown that trains could be essential in the event of a global emergency or natural disasters.
Snowpiercer takes this idea to the extreme, with the train as the only safe haven left in a world that has become inhospitable. The show utilizes its speculative premise to explore how humans may adapt and transform themselves to keep living in the face of catastrophe.
The Symbolism of the Snowpiercer Train: Exploring the Representation of Society and Class
The train in Snowpiercer is not just a mode of transportation but a microcosm of society. The train’s structure, layout, and hierarchy are all representative of class and societal issues. The train is divided into sections, with the wealthy and powerful living in the front and the poor and disadvantaged relegated to the back. The train’s residents are chosen based on their professions, with the most important people boarding first, and the least important last. This portrait of a divided society in which social mobility is virtually impossible provides commentary on the significant issues facing the world today.
Trains have been used symbolism in pop culture before, with films such as Strangers on a Train and The Lady Vanishes both featuring trains, in part, as thematic settings. While not always representative of the same social issues as Snowpiercer, trains have helped to invigorate subplots and complex themes surrounding mobility and access to resources.
Designing the Ultimate Post-Apocalyptic Train: A Look at Snowpiercer’s Aesthetic and Worldbuilding
The world of Snowpiercer is not only a complex social structure but also a unique and visually arresting science fiction setting. The creators of the show put a great deal of thought into designing the train to look and feel like a fully realized, lived-in world. The train’s various sections all feel distinct, and the interior design of the cars is detailed and immersive. The aesthetic of the train is a far departure from the sleek design of contemporary high-speed trains and harks back to a bygone era of luxury travel with a steam punk twist.
However, the train’s design is not only about aesthetically pleasing the viewer but also realistic and feasible. One of the show’s strengths is how it presents the world’s physical limitations while exploring how the characters navigate this environment tirelessly. The train must maintain a balance between class, food, and waste to function as a sustainable closed ecosystem, providing further constraints that the design team must have considered for the show.
Snowpiercer vs. Real-Life Train Travel: How Accurate Is the Series’s Portrayal of Train Life?
While Snowpiercer is rooted in speculative science fiction, it is compelling to examine how accurate the show’s portrayal of life on a train would be on real-life train travel. Train travel presents its challenges and limitations, one of which is the constraints of living within limited indoor accommodation for weeks or months. The show’s depiction of food production, waste management, and social order is feasible, albeit extreme in its application. Additionally, the physical environment and mode of transport, especially in winter, would present serious hurdles to ensure the safety of all passengers aboard and maintain the train’s structure and route regularly.
Snowpiercer and Trains in Pop Culture: A Brief History
The train is a rich source of storytelling and has been used symbolically, literally, and metaphorically in countless films and television series throughout history. From action films such as Under Siege 2: Dark Territory to character-driven dramas like Brief Encounter, trains are versatile settings for almost any story you can imagine. Snowpiercer’s ambitious approach and setting help continue this tradition adding a compelling edge to genre storytelling in recent years.
Conclusion
Overall, the choice of a train as a mode of transportation in Snowpiercer is central to the show’s themes and the storytelling ability of its creators. The train acts as both a symbol of society’s divisions and as a practical solution to facilitate humanity’s survival. The show’s attention to detail and world-building also adds a further layer of depth to a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.