Science Fiction

Science Fiction

Introduction:

Science fiction (popularly abbreviated to Sci-fi) is a familiar literary genre for most, which has been popularized in recent times. Its exact definition is debated upon by authors, critics and readers alike, but a general definition can be made that science fiction is a genre of fiction that depicts real or imaginary science and technology as a characteristic part of its plot, setting or theme.

A defining feature of science fiction is the concept of "novum," representing the new or different aspect of the fictional world. This novum can range from futuristic technologies to societal structures, serving as the focal point for exploring the consequences and implications of the imagined changes. Ultimately, science fiction's strength lies in its systematic exploration of these differences and their impact on characters and societies within the narrative.

Darko Suvin's Definition: Suvin defines science fiction as "a literary genre whose necessary and sufficient conditions are the presence and interaction of estrangement and cognition, and whose main formal device is an imaginative framework alternative to the author’s empirical environment."

Historical Overview and Present:

Science fiction is wrongly assumed to be a modern genre since some of the most important and foremost works were written in 1800s. The novel “A True Story” written by Syrian satirist Lucian in the 2nd century was the first ever recorded work of science fiction, much before the 1800s. The book included ideas that were far-fetched and imaginative ranging from an unplanned trip to the moon to a war between celestial inhabitants to an entire civilization in the belly of a beast! Lucian wrote these seemingly absurd ideas in his book as an attempt to make satire of classical authors due to his criticism of their extreme, but realistic, exaggerations using his own unrealistic ones.

Themes:

SF literature is often critiqued for falling short when judged by aesthetic standards applied to other literary genres. Common criticisms include thin characterization, dull style, and hackneyed plots. Themes are categorised and limited. SF includes themes like

• Spaceships, interplanetary or interstellar travel,

• Aliens and the encounter with aliens;

• Mechanical robots, genetic engineering, biological robots (‘androids’);

• Computers, advanced technology, virtual reality;

• Time travel;

•  Alternative history;   

• Futuristic utopias and dystopias.

 Genre and Sub-types:(with examples)

The science fiction genre remained an esoteric genre until the onset of the Industrial Revolution (1760 - 1840). The Industrial Revolution allowed writers to see the effects of rapidly advancing technology and sciences firsthand, which prompted them to write about works involving similar unforeseen technologies. Some prominent examples include “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” by Jules Verne and “The Time Machine” and “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells. In present time, science fiction is most recognizable in movie franchises such as Marvel and Planet of The Apes (loosely based off of a 1963 book by Pierre Boulle with the same name) among many others.

These works all involve the conventional idea of science fiction but they all differ in the subgenres that they explore. There are innumerable subgenres that can be created in a work of science fiction. The most commonly seen ideas in sci-fi are cyberpunk, biopunk, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, extraterrestrial life, time travel, parallel or alternate timelines and universes, and military science fiction.

1. Cyberpunk is the subgenre that is categorized by a dystopian futuristic setting focusing on both technological advancements and social downfall. Some examples in modern media include “Cyberpunk 2077” (videogame), “Akira” (anime), “I, Robot” (book and movie) and “Blade Runner:2049” (movie).

2. Biopunk Is similar to cyberpunk, distinctive by its focus on biotechnology. The film franchise “Planet of the Apes” (movies) and “Spider-Man” (comics and movies) are some of the most famous examples of biological life combining with futuristic ideas.

3. Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction is the subgenre of sci-fi that uses the collapse of our world or another world as a setting. The themes of weariness, existentialism and psychological horror are prevalent in these works which include “I am Legend” (movie) and “28 Weeks later” (movie).

4. Military science fiction is a very specific but important subgenre of sci-fi where the creator focuses on a war-torn civilization and its consequences on an individual’s psyche or on the collective hopes of society. “Edge of Tomorrow” (movie), “Star Wars” (film franchise), “The Forever War” (book) and “War of the Worlds” (book and movie) are some examples. These themes are similar to the ones seen in conventional military fiction works such as “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy and “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque, allowing the makers to use it as an analogy for the present world situations.

5. The most commonly seen ideas are that of time travel, parallel dimensions and alternate universes and these are usually seen together. As the name would suggest for each, these subgenres dive into the possibilities of moving in time into the future or the past, travelling to another dimension or universe. “Doctor Strange” (movie), “The Flash” (series and movie), “Rick and Morty” (animated series), “Prince of Persia” (videogame and movie) are examples of this subgenre.

Key Figures of Science Fiction:

Several literary figures are renowned for their contributions to the science fiction genre, either through their pioneering works or their significant influence on the development of science fiction literature. Here are some of the most notable:

1. H.G. Wells (1866-1946): A British writer often referred to as the "father of science fiction," Wells wrote influential novels such as "The War of the Worlds" (1898), "The Time Machine" (1895), and "The Invisible Man" (1897).

2. Jules Verne (1828-1905): A French writer known for his adventure novels and futuristic speculation, Verne is considered one of the pioneers of science fiction. His works, including "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870) and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864), explored themes of exploration, technology, and scientific discovery.

3. Isaac Asimov (1920-1992): An American writer and biochemist, Asimov is one of the most prolific authors in the science fiction genre. He is best known for his "Foundation" series and his "Robot" series, which introduced the Three Laws of Robotics. Asimov's works often delved into themes of robotics, artificial intelligence, and the future of humanity.

4. Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008): A British writer and scientist, Clarke is celebrated for his visionary works of science fiction, including "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) and "Childhood's End" (1953).

5. Philip K. Dick (1928-1982): An American writer known for his mind-bending narratives and philosophical explorations, Dick's works often blur the line between reality and illusion. His novels, such as "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (1968), which inspired the film "Blade Runner," and "The Man in the High Castle".

6. Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018): An influential American writer known for her thought-provoking works of science fiction and fantasy, Le Guin's novels, including "The Left Hand of Darkness" (1969) and the "Earthsea" series, often explore themes of gender, identity, and societal structures.

7. Ray Bradbury (1920-2012): An American author known for his evocative prose and imaginative storytelling and he is best known for his contributions to science fiction. His novel "Fahrenheit 451" (1953) is a dystopian classic.

8. Mary Shelley (1797-1851): Often considered the mother of science fiction, Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" (1818), which is regarded as one of the earliest science fiction novels.

9. Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018): Le Guin was a highly acclaimed writer known for her thought-provoking works of science fiction and fantasy and Octavia E. Butler was a groundbreaking African American science fiction

10. Margaret Atwood, C.J. Cherryh, N. K. Jemisin  are current famous writers.

The ideas of sci-fi are not limited to a written literary form but can be also expressed through a number of artworks, styles and forms.