Science Fiction as a genre Purpose of science
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Science Fiction - as a genre
Purpose of science fiction? �“Science fiction allows us to understand experience our past, present, and future in terms of an imagined future. ” �Kathryn Cramer, The Ascent of Wonder (1994)
Many Definitions �The “What If” genre �Speculative fiction – stories / philosophical & literary �Futuristic �Impact of Technology and Science
Sci Fi - Fantasy Relationship with the principles of science. Grounded in a scientific basis. No scientific background. Magical and mythical / supernatural creatures exist. May actually happen – Can never happen – is possible no grounding in reality
Themes �Futuristic Settings �Outer Space �Alien Life-forms �Discovery of new technologies �Discovery of new Science impacting our life – the human element �Time-Travel
Themes �Hard Science, New Wave, Ecology, Messianic/Religious, Dystopia/Utopia, Apocalypse, Alternate and Parallel Worlds, Time Travel, Time Warp, Lost Worlds, Immortality, Psionic Powers, Space Opera, Galactic Empires, Militaristic, Space Travel, Alien Beings, Computers, Automation, Cyberpunk, Robots, Androids, Cyborgs, Social Criticism, The Superhuman, Women in Science Fiction, Love and Sex, Detectives in Science Fiction, and Science Fantasy.
A few terms �Psionics – using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena; telepathy, telekinetics (used in Role-playing games) �Cyberpunk – postmodern, combining information-technology and cybernetics with collapse & disruption of society �Android – robot or synthetic organism designed to look and act like a human (Data from Star Trek) �Cyborg – a being with both biological and artificial (electronic, mechanical or robotic) parts (Terminator)
Robocop, 1987 (Cyborg) �http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=clq K 5 OC 3 BWE
Literary History �Utopia 1516 �Gulliver’s Travels 1726 �Niels Klim 1741 �Frankenstein 1818 �Erewhon 1872 �Edgar Allan Poe, �H. G. Wells, �Jules Verne
20 th Century �Pulp Magazines �Isaac Asimov (Robot Series) �Hollywood and Science Fiction movies in the 30 s �Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse 5) �Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) �More negative towards technology �More focused on consequences
20 th Century – the Stars! � 1980 s: Star Wars IV, 1977, 1999 � http: //www. imdb. com/video/screenplay/vi 562301209/ � http: //www. fancast. com/movies/Star-Wars%3 A-Episode- I---The-Phantom-Menace/11746/746693117/Star-Wars. Episode-I%3 A-The-Phantom-Menace/videos � Star Trek, 1966 - http: //www. bing. com/videos/watch/video/star-trek-theoriginal-series-the-lights-ofzetar/cb 448 b 7 a 18 c 4 dede 73 a 0319249712213? q=star+trek&FORM=VIRE 5 � Isaac Asimov – Robot Series � Arthur C. Clarke (2001, A Space Odyssey) � Ray Bradbury (The Martian Chronicles) � Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land)
Today �Difficult reputation �Regarded as pulp �Community of dedicated fans �Conventions, internet, fan groups �Cults (Douglas Adams A Guide to the Galaxy) �Literature? Hitchiker’s
Samuel Butler, 1835 -1902 Erewhon, 1872
Samuel Butler �Philosopher, satirist, novelist, artist �Critic of established religious, social, and scientific ideas �Shrewsbury, Cambridge �Sheep herder in New Zealand �Explorer �Waged war against the suppression of original thoughts and the hypocrisies of conventions �Attempted tor efute Darwin’s theory the existence of the divine in nature
Mr Heatherley's Holiday: an Incident in Studio Life 1874, Tate Gallery
Questions - Erewhon �Relate the story of Erewhon to science fiction as a genre. �Describe the population of Erewhon. �Discuss their attitude to illness and crime; explain what you think is the satire intended. �Discuss the description of death and statues; what is the author’s purpose? �Is Erewhon a utopia or dystopia? Explain.
- It is a genre of speculative fiction
- Characteristics of science fiction genre
- What is science fixtion
- Purpose of science fiction
- What are the elements of nonfiction
- Contemporary realism literature
- Fiction and non fiction examples
- What is horrow
- What is the purpose of the narative text
- Genre audience purpose examples
- Genre audience purpose
- Narrative text type
- Science fiction lighting
- Introduction to science fiction
- Science fiction characteristics
- Science fiction lesson plans
- Characteristics of fiction