HonorsEnglishIntroductiontoScienceFiction.pptVIP

Honors English Introduction to Science Fiction What is Science Fiction? Science fiction is a writing style which combines science and fiction. It is constrained by what we presently regard as the basic physical laws of nature. It evolved as a response to fantasy. Sci Fi Author’s Definitions Theodore Sturgeon, author: A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its science content Robert A. Heinlein, author:? ? Science fiction is realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method Sam Moskowitz, fan and biographer:? ? Science fiction is a brand of fantasy identifiable by the fact that it eases the willing suspension of disbelief on the part of its readers by utilizing an atmosphere of scientific credibility for its imaginative speculations in physical science, space, time, social science, and philosophy The first true science fiction novel was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. She used a scientific rationale to persuade the reader that her story took place in the realm of the possible. Frankenstein was the first novel in English to deal with the possibility that science will create a monster that can destroy science, and possibly mankind. Mary Shelley did not wish the story to be considered supernatural She made the main character a scientist and his scientific efforts a focal point of the readers attention. In mood the novel is a tale of terror, in plot a laboratory experiment gone awry. The fusion of Gothic materials and science in this novel brought the tale of terror clearly into the stream of science fiction and also gave it a more credible base. If not the first science fiction novel, Frankenstein is at least the first novel that showed what a science fiction novel would be (James Gunn). Rememb