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Science Fiction and Fantasy or Speculative Fiction

Science Fiction and Fantasy or Speculative Fiction. Making the Unreal Real. Early Influences on American Speculative Fiction (European). 1516 Thomas More’s Utopia 1587 Faust ( 1956 movie Forbidden Planet) The Age of Reason – The Enlightenment

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Science Fiction and Fantasy or Speculative Fiction

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  1. Science Fiction and Fantasy or Speculative Fiction Making the Unreal Real

  2. Early Influences on American Speculative Fiction (European) • 1516 Thomas More’sUtopia • 1587 Faust (1956 movie Forbidden Planet) • The Age of Reason – The Enlightenment • Rapid scientific discovery and technological advances • Johannes Kepler – The Dream: First science fiction story? Trip to the moon. • Mary Shelley – Frankenstein

  3. Jules Verne and H.G. Welles • 1860’s - Jules Verne: A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea • Popular adventure stories based on up to date science or projections • 1890’s - H.G. Welles: The Time Machine and War of the Worlds • Using scientifically futuristic stories to comment on current society. • Tension in Sci-Fi still exists: • Realistic science vs. character and commentary • Exciting story vs. making a point

  4. Early American Speculative Fiction • 1835 - Edgar Allan Poe: short story, "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall“ • Flight to the moon in a balloon • Poe often identified as America’s first true science fiction author • 1889 – Mark Twain: Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court • In some ways predicts WWI • 1900-1920 – L. Frank Baum: Land of Oz series

  5. The Golden Age of Sci-Fi • 1940’s and 1950’s and Astounding Science Fiction • Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke • Science Fiction becomes a seriously regarded genre again after the pulp era. • Lots of activities in other media as well

  6. Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy • Harry Potter • Best selling book series: 400 million copies; 67 languages • The top 50 young adult science fiction/fantasy bestsellers sold twice as many books as the top 100 adult science fiction/fantasy bestsellers. • The Hunger Games and expanding the audience via female protagonists.

  7. Diversity in Science Fiction • For the longest time, mostly written by white men • Sub-genre: feminist science fiction (Handmaid’s Tale, etc.) • Largest change in young adult science fiction: • Hunger Games and others • http://girlxoxo.com/book-lists/10-young-adult-science-fiction-fantasy-books-featuring-people-of-color-on-my-2012-reading-list.php

  8. The Challenges of Writing Speculative Fiction • Making the incredible feel plausible • Author=Authority • Describing new science or new beings or places in a way that is vivid and accessible.

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