An Introduction to Science Fiction

1. Unit 4 – Heroes, Villains, and Underdogs in Literature An Introduction to Science Fiction

2. What is Science Fiction? • Topics dealing with imaginary yet plausible content and situations. • Exploration of the consequences of scientific innovations in contemporary times. • Largely based on writing rationally about alternative possible worlds or futures. • Settings are often contrary to known reality, but most relies on “suspension of disbelief” to create arguments.

3. UTOPIA vs. DYSTOPIA • Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions. • Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

4. Famous Dystopian Texts

5. Dystopian Society Characteristics • Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. • Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. • A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. • Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. • Citizens have a fear of the outside world. • Citizens live in a dehumanized state. • The natural world is banished and distrusted. • Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. • The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

6. Other Characteristics • What the issue is for the future, because that is what the author is trying to highlight about the present. • Characters are isolated from the natural world and are conditioned to fear nature • Nature can play an important role with the characters, conflict, and setting (mood). • Total absence of social groups other than the “state” • State is in control of the economy – banned items, contraband, black markets; privatization of businesses • Government is oppressive and is flawed in some way • Climax – can be unresolved; death, reeducation, or conformity can occur

7. Types of Dystopian Controls • Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. • Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. • Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. • Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideologyoften enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

8. The Dystopian Protagonist • …often feels trapped and is struggling to escape. • …questions the existing social and political systems; very intuitive – a rebel. • …believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives. • …helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

9. Common Dystopian Themes • Censorship • Knowledge vs. Ignorance • Mass Media • Conformity vs. Individuality • The Search for Identity • Distraction vs. Happiness • Action vs. Inaction • The Power of Science • The Role of Technology • Social Statuses • Law and Justice

10. Dystopian Quotations • “Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.” -- Aldous Huxley • “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” -- Albert Einstein