The First Zone explores modernity issues through zombie themes and apocalyptic science fiction backgrounds. The novel is set in New York City and depicts the process of the interim government and civilian clean-up teams rebuilding the "First District" in a city ravaged by zombie viruses. The perspective of the protagonist Mark Spitz presents memories of urban history, observations of the current situation, and reflections on the future, while also reflecting criticism of modern culture. Whitehead incorporated autobiographical elements into his writing, and the novel structure imitated the temporal narrative of Ulysses, referencing the works of Benjamin, Pound, and the band The Public Enemy, constructing an intertextual network of modernity criticism. The open-ended ending of the novel, through Spitz's choices, questions and attempts to heal the problems brought about by modernity, transcending the boundaries of life and breaking down the boundaries of class and race.

The Modern Landscape of 'Color Change': Writing of the Wilderness Disease in the City of Desire

Whitehead expressed deep emotions towards New York in "The Colossus of New York," while "The First District" depicts the transformation of New York from prosperity to desolation through the perspective of the protagonist Spitz. Spitz's yearning for Manhattan contrasts with the real-life zombie virus disaster, showcasing the wilderness sickness of modern cities. In the novel, Whitehead quotes Benjamin's viewpoint, pointing out that the mediocrity and mechanization brought about by technological development lead to individuals losing their individuality and subjectivity in consumer culture. Spitz's psychological perception blends in different time and space, reflecting his re examination of New York. The novel explores the obsessive-compulsive disorder and mental wasteland under modernity through Spitz's experience, questioning the necessity of rebuilding urban wastelands.

Questioned progressive discourse: questioning the significance of rebuilding the city of desire

Explored the questioning of the discourse of modernity progress, and demonstrated the disappointment with modern civilization through Pound's "Hugh Selwyn Mobley" and Eliot's "The Waste Land". The pursuit of modernity and the rupture of classical civilization have fallen into mediocre and false art, unable to showcase the true spirit of the times. The fear of modernity towards the future exposes its cultural ills, namely the neglect of the past and intolerance towards future threats. Whitehead depicted the impact of modernity on urban wastelands and the monotony and psychological discomfort of the clean-up team during the reconstruction process through Spitz's perspective in "The First District". The work of the cleaning team is not only to shoot zombies, but also to clean up the victims of micro power governance techniques in modern industrial systems. This workflow is linked to the wars and genocide of the 20th century, reflecting the concept of modern horticultural society, where society is seen as an object that needs to be designed, nurtured, and cleaned up. The measures to rebuild the government reflect the class differentiation and technological management logic in modern progressive discourse, while the re enchantment of technological rationality and the repetition of progressive discourse carry ironic implications. Spitz's questioning of the significance and feasibility of the reconstruction plan, as well as his observation of the wealth gap and class divisions, reveal the hypocritical nature of the discourse of modernity progress. The so-called creation of the future is actually copying past mistakes and repeating them, which makes Spitz hold a negative attitude towards the so-called future.

Transcending the Boundaries of Postmodern Breakthrough: The Cultural Healing Potential of Swimming Metaphor

This chapter delves into Whitehead's reflection on modernity through his portrayal of urban wastelands in "The First District". The novel reveals the repeated disasters and errors in modern civilization through Spitz's perspective. The barricade in the novel has multiple meanings, serving as both a physical barrier and a symbol of social class and racial segregation. Spitz and other survivors experienced the contradictions of identity and the constraints of boundaries under the oppression of modernity. The novel showcases the courage and initiative to reflect on modernity, as well as the transcendence of life boundaries, class, and racial barriers, through Spitz's growth and ultimate choices. The issue of Spitz's identity and his connection with zombie groups reflects racial stereotypes and discrimination in American society. At the end of the novel, Spitz chooses to "learn how to swim", symbolizing that he has transcended the boundaries of modernity and regained the subjectivity of humanity lost in the modern urban wilderness. Through this work, Whitehead not only explores the concept of boundaries, but also presents how survivors can heal the obsessive-compulsive disorder of modernity by transcending boundaries.