The Genre of Science Fiction

Masah 1
Yujay Masah
Honors ELA
Ms. Bielski
January 30, 2014
The Genre of Science Fiction

Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of
the world, because its the history of ideas, the history of our
civilization birthing itself. Science fiction is central to everything
weve ever done.-Ray Bradbury. Science fiction was originally seen as
fantasy. As the genre drifted away from fantasy, it quickly became a
way to glimpse into the future. People soon took advantage of this as a
way to convey political and social points of view.
Science fiction like concepts date all the way back to ancient
Greek, Roman, and Chinese mythologies and stories (Franklin).
However in these times, things like flying and space travel were seen
as fantasy because the technologies and ideas imagined were so
complex and ahead of their time, that it seemed impossible for them to
ever be real.
As science and technology advanced, things that were once
unconceivable were now in the foreseeable future. This allowed
science fiction to take a new stage, as an instrument to communicate
political or ideological viewpoints. In the 18th century, about the time of
the scientific revolution and the enlightenment, many authors had a

bleak view of how fast technology was advancing and how it would
impact the world (Goossen). Voltaires Micromgas, written in 1732, is
about two giants, one from Saturn and the other from the distant star
Sirius, that come down to earth to mock humans for how frivolous they
are and how much they value useless technology (Goossen). In
Gulliver's Travels, written in 1726, Jonathan Swift mocks experimental
science, but also has a vision of a super weapon, a flying island used
by its rulers literally to crush any earthly opposition to their tyranny
(Goossen). Despite its criticisms science continued to improve. As more
revolutionary ideas and inventions came to light, some authors began
to see science in a better light. In 1770, Louis-Sbastian Mercier
published The Year 2440. In this book he envisions an advanced and
magnificent society where science is worshipped (Goossen). For
example, telescopes and microscopes are staples in a childs first
communion (Goossen). In the late 18th century to the early 19th century
the industrial revolution began and industrial capitalism began to take
root in America. People began spending all of their lives working in
factories. Not only were the workers thus alienated from the means of
production and their own products, but they also found themselves
increasingly alienated from nature, from each other, and from their
own essence as creative beings. Human creativity now appeared in the
form of monstrous alien forces exerting ever- growing power over the
Masah 2
people who had created them. (Franklin). From this state of mind
emerges a novel by an author that is said to be the grandmother of all
science fiction. Mary Shellys Frankenstein, or, The Modern
Prometheus, (1818) is the story of a scientist that successfully
reanimates a dead body, but then finds guilt for creating a monster
(Franklin). When his monster finds out how he came to be and that
society rejects him he seeks revenge on his creators family. Later on in
1826, Shelly also wrote one of the first science fiction apocalypses, The
Last Man describes the title character wandering a dead planet in the
year 2100, toying with and trying out the now useless achievements of
all human society (Franklin). Later on in the 19th century Jules Vernes
works helped define the science fiction genre. As the 20th century
came around brilliant writers like H.G. Wells and Ray Bradbury allowed
this genre to flourish, adding new concepts, ideas, and raising more
questions about society.
In the present day we still see a lot of themes that originated in
the past, but reimagined and used to make a statement about the
human condition and hopes for the future. Science fiction as a genre
allows people to imagine ideal futures (Marisha). Futures with out
poverty, injustice, racism, or sexism for example. [Science fiction] is
the only genre that allows us to step outside of the confines and rules
of this society, this world, and to completely re-envision the present
and the future. writes Walidah Marisha from thenerdsofcolor.com.
Masah 3
Walidah believes that science fiction is one of the best venues to

discuss social justice because of its infinite possibilities. She brings up
the point that an amazing amount science fiction is very un-inclusive of
people of color and women and thats kind of ridiculous for a genre
that talks about the future (Marisha).
No one can know for sure what science fiction will look like in the
future, but there is no way its going to disappear (Acker). Until we live
in a perfect world, science fiction will not die. This genre will most likely
continue to be a way to start conversations about social issues (Acker).
Its an undeniable fact that this genre is growing and will continue to
grow not only in popularity but also in diversity and subject matter
(Acker). Hard science fiction may be returning says Sandy Lu,
Robots and aliens may be the next big thing. As for characters, the
demand will always be the same: multi-dimensional characters with
deeply human stories, who the readers can identify with, fall in love
with, or love to hate.
Science Fiction is a genre that not only captures our imagination
but also allows us to discuss social issues. Science fiction may have
begun as unimaginable illusions, but has become a way to peek at,
speculate, and toy around with our futures without permanent results.
As this genre grows more people will begin to join in on these
conversations, and when people come together to talk about the future
our present starts to take steps to look like the futures of our dreams.
Masah 4
Masah 5
Franklin, H. Bruce. Science Fiction:The Early History. N.p., 1

Feb. 1995. Web.
<http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~hbf/sfhist.html>.
Goossens, Ben. A History of the Future: A Literary Evolution

of Science Fiction Writing. N.p., 2010. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/library/newton_goossen
2010.pdf>.
Marisha, Walidah. "Growing Octavia's Brood: The Science Fiction

Social Justice Created." Thenerdsofcolor. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan.
2014. <http://thenerdsofcolor.org/2013/10/25/growing-octaviasbrood-the-science-fiction-social-justice-created/>.
Acker, Michelle. "The Future of Science Fiction and Fantasy." The

Future of Science Fiction and Fantasy. N.p., 2012. Web. 31 Jan.
2014. <http://www.writing-world.com/sf/future.shtml>

The Genre of Science Fiction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Genre of Science Fiction

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Genre of Science Fiction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Masah 1

The Genre of Science Fiction

the scientific revolution and the enlightenment, many authors had a

Walidah believes that science fiction is one of the best venues to

Franklin, H. Bruce. Science Fiction:The Early History. N.p., 1

Goossens, Ben. A History of the Future: A Literary Evolution

Marisha, Walidah. "Growing Octavia's Brood: The Science Fiction

Acker, Michelle. "The Future of Science Fiction and Fantasy." The

You might also like