Rebellious Desire Before the Extinction: Apocalyptic Activism as Melancholia and Melodrama

This article explores the death- and emotion-focused activism of Extinction Rebellion (XR) as a distinct form of apocalyptic activism. The aim is to analyse and critically discuss the transformative capacities of spectacular, theatrical activism unfolding in the shadow of hopelessness. A twofold performative analysis is offered. Firstly, XR activism is reflected through the prism of melancholia, developed in accordance with Judith Butler’s interpretation of Freud’s concept. It is suggested that melancholic performativity may give meaning to the overwhelming death- and loss-focus of XR activism and the striking lack of clear visions for an alternative future society. In the second part of the analysis, XR activism is explored through the prism of melodrama, building on Peter Brooks’ work. XR’s stylised emotion-signs, spectacular dramatisations and mute choreographies are found to correspond to melodramatic forms of expression developed in the 19th century. Moreover, XR’s activist aim of enhancing collective, emotional breakdown is found to resonate with the main performative aspiration of melodrama which, according to Brooks, concerns the actualisation and enforcement of a presumed hidden emotional-moral realm. In the final discussion, the prisms of melancholia and melodrama are brought together. It is critically considered whether and how melodramatic activism might possibly alter melancholic performativity. It is concluded that emotional violence, refiguration and fantasy furthered by melodrama may, indeed, serve to loosen, or even break, the paralysing features of melancholia. However, transformative processes of this kind are potentially dangerous and might lead to terrifying states of anxiety and incontrollable imagination.