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Science Fiction

Science Fiction. - as a genre. Purpose of science fiction?. “Science fiction allows us to understand and 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

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Science Fiction

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  1. Science Fiction - as a genre

  2. Purpose of science fiction? • “Science fiction allows us to understand and experience our past, present, and future in terms of an imagined future.”  • Kathryn Cramer, The Ascent of Wonder (1994)

  3. Many Definitions • The “What If” genre • Speculative fiction – stories / philosophical & literary • Futuristic • Impact of Technology and Science

  4. SciFi - Fantasy

  5. Themes • Futuristic Settings • Outer Space • Alien Life-forms • Discovery of new technologies • Discovery of new Science impacting our life – the human element • Time-Travel

  6. 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.

  7. 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)

  8. Robocop, 1987 (Cyborg) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clqK5OC3BWE

  9. Literary History • Utopia 1516 • Gulliver’s Travels 1726 • Niels Klim 1741 • Frankenstein 1818 • Erewhon 1872 • Edgar Allan Poe, • H. G. Wells, • Jules Verne

  10. 20th Century • Pulp Magazines • Isaac Asimov (Robot Series) • Hollywood and Science Fiction movies in the 30s • Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse 5) • Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) • More negative towards technology • More focused on consequences

  11. 20th Century – the Stars! • 1980s: Star Wars IV, 1977, 1999 • http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi562301209/ • http://www.fancast.com/movies/Star-Wars%3A-Episode-I---The-Phantom-Menace/11746/746693117/Star-Wars-Episode-I%3A-The-Phantom-Menace/videos • Star Trek, 1966 - http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/star-trek-the-original-series-the-lights-of-zetar/cb448b7a18c4dede73a0cb448b7a18c4dede73a0-319249712213?q=star+trek&FORM=VIRE5 • Isaac Asimov – Robot Series • Arthur C. Clarke (2001, A Space Odyssey) • Ray Bradbury (The Martian Chronicles) • Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land)

  12. Today • Difficult reputation • Regarded as pulp • Community of dedicated fans • Conventions, internet, fan groups • Cults (Douglas Adams A Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) • Literature?

  13. Samuel Butler, 1835-1902 Erewhon, 1872

  14. 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

  15. MrHeatherley'sHoliday:an Incident in Studio Life1874,Tate Gallery

  16. 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.

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