Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)

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The Dialectical Spiral of Form and Theme: Structural Experimentation and Philosophical Inquiry in David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas

Authors
Chenghao Sui1, *
1Department of Journalism, Shanghai International Studies University, XIANDA College, No. 390, Dongtiyuhui Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai, 200083, China
*Corresponding author. Email: tuoertali@outlook.com
Corresponding Author
Chenghao Sui
Available Online 25 March 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_92How to use a DOI?
Keywords
David Mitchell; Cloud Atlas; mirror-embedded structure; Structuralism; Dialectics
Abstract

David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas is a work of vast temporal and spatial scope, renowned for its intricate and unique structure, earning it the label of “mega-engineering literature.” Through six interconnected stories, the novel explores the recurring themes of “predation” throughout human history, as well as “interconnectedness” and hope across time and space. This paper focuses on analyzing the “mirror-embedded” narrative structure of the novel, illustrating how this form mimics the cyclical nature of life and history. Simultaneously, it pays particular attention to the symbolic significance of the “Sonmi~451” narrative at the structural center. Through theoretical lenses such as Structuralism, Dialectics, and Postmodernism, it explores how this form serves the deeper theme of “predation and resistance.” Furthermore, it attempts to demonstrate how Mitchell, through structural innovation, achieves profound reflection on historical narrative, patterns of human nature, and the process of civilization.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
25 March 2026
ISBN
978-2-38476-553-9
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_92How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Chenghao Sui
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/25
TI  - The Dialectical Spiral of Form and Theme: Structural Experimentation and Philosophical Inquiry in David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 852
EP  - 858
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_92
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_92
ID  - Sui2026
ER  -