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The History of Science Fiction

The History of Science Fiction. The Beginning. Early 19 th century (1800s) A new curiosity Fantasy existed first Supernatural worlds (gods/demons) Mythical lands (Atlantis) Unattainable lands (the moon) Always written in past or present tense, not future. Cultural Changes.

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The History of Science Fiction

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  1. The History of Science Fiction

  2. The Beginning • Early 19th century (1800s) • A new curiosity • Fantasy existed first • Supernatural worlds (gods/demons) • Mythical lands (Atlantis) • Unattainable lands (the moon) • Always written in past or present tense, not future

  3. Cultural Changes • Transition from Dark Ages to High Middle Ages • Development of the plow • Invention of the horse collar • Invention of the printing press • Protestant Reformation • Spread of literacy • Question established authority • Scientific Revolution • New technologies • Exploration • Industrial Revolution • Great Britain • Swifter changes • Machines

  4. Results of Change • Fear related to • Consequences of changes • “Nightmares” ahead • Two groups • Pessimists • Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein • H.G. Well’s War of the Worlds • Optimists • Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues under the Sea

  5. Modern Ideas • Term “Science Fiction” not used until 1920s • Literature of possibility • Follows scientific discoveries • “Predicts” future scientific discoveries

  6. ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE FICTION an introduction to The White Mountains by John Christopher

  7. Aliens • Aliens are one of the central characteristics of the science-fiction genre. ~aliens coming to Earth ~sometimes the aliens are friendly, ~sometimes they are mortal enemies.

  8. ROBOTS • Often have human versatility and appearance ~work alongside humans as equals ~evolve to become superior to and overcome humans ~search to become human ~”robot” comes from the Czech word for a slave

  9. SPACE TRAVEL • Space travel is a common element of sci-fi ~Are we alone? ~What might happen if humans encounter other life forms? • Travel for colonization

  10. TIME TRAVEL • In scientific theory, time travel is possible based on potential technologies utilizing scientific knowledge. • In fiction, time travel poses many questions ~time travel paradox,

  11. Advanced Technology • Early science fiction focused on the hard science, and the development of advanced technology ~some traditional sci-fi technology that could be very real in the future ~computerized education ~global communication

  12. Science Fiction Follows Scientific Rules: • Science fiction novels follow scientific rules, to some degree. • Fantasy (another genre) suspends scientific rules.

  13. Science Fiction Authors to Know an introduction to The White Mountains by John Christopher

  14. Mary Shelley • Key work: Frankenstein • Trivia: first full-blown science fiction novel • Fiction to Fact: electric shock to restart heart transplanted organs

  15. Jules Verne • Key work: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea • Trivia: considered to be the founding father of modern science fiction • Fiction to Fact: rockets, submarines, fax machines

  16. H.G. Wells • Key work: War of the Worlds • Trivia: first science fiction writer to be a trained scientist • Fiction to Fact: atom bomb, genetic engineering

  17. Issac Asimov • Key work: I, Robot • Trivia: had the ability to explain difficult concepts in simple, clear language • Fiction to Fact: robots in service to man, artificial intelligence

  18. Ray Bradbury • Key work: The Martian Chronicles • Trivia: was actually anti-science and anti- technology • Fiction to Fact: earphones, TV as a replacement for reading

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