The History of Science Fiction

The BeginningEarly 19th century (1800s)

A new curiosity

Fantasy existed firstSupernatural worlds (gods/demons)Mythical lands (Atlantis)Unattainable lands (the moon)Always written in past or present tense, not future

Cultural ChangesTransition from Dark Ages to High Middle Ages

Development of the plowInvention of the horse collarInvention of the printing press

Protestant ReformationSpread of literacyQuestion established authority

Scientific RevolutionNew technologiesExploration

Industrial RevolutionGreat BritainSwifter changesMachines

Results of ChangeFear related to

Consequences of changes“Nightmares” ahead

Two groupsPessimists

Mary Shelley’s FrankensteinH.G. Well’s War of the Worlds

OptimistsJules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues under the Sea

Modern IdeasTerm “Science Fiction” not used until 1920s

Literature of possibilityFollows scientific discoveries“Predicts” future scientific discoveries

ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE FICTION

an introduction toThe White Mountains

by John Christopher

AliensAliens are one of the central characteristics of the science-fiction genre.

~aliens coming to Earth

~sometimes the aliens are friendly, ~sometimes they are mortal enemies.

ROBOTS• Often have human versatility and

appearance~work alongside humans as equals~evolve to become superior to and overcome humans~search to become human

~”robot” comes from the Czech word for a slave

SPACE TRAVEL• Space travel is a common element of sci-fi

~Are we alone?

~What might happen if humans encounter

other life forms?• Travel for colonization

TIME TRAVEL• In scientific theory, time travel is

possible based on potential technologies utilizing scientific knowledge.

• In fiction, time travel poses many questions ~time travel paradox,

Advanced Technology

Early science fiction focused on the hard science, and the development of advanced technology

~some traditional sci-fi technology that could be very real in the future

~computerized education

~global communication

Science Fiction Follows Scientific

Rules:Science fiction novels follow scientific rules, to some degree.

Fantasy (another genre) suspends scientific rules.

Science Fiction Authors to Know

an introduction toThe White Mountains

by John Christopher

Mary ShelleyKey work: Frankenstein

Trivia: first full-blown science fiction novel

Fiction to Fact: electric shock to restart heart

transplanted organs

Jules VerneKey work: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Trivia: considered to be the founding father of modern science fiction

Fiction to Fact: rockets, submarines, fax machines

H.G. WellsKey work: War of the Worlds

Trivia: first science fiction writer to be a trained scientist

Fiction to Fact: atom bomb, genetic engineering

Issac AsimovKey work: I, Robot

Trivia: had the ability to explain difficult concepts in simple, clear language

Fiction to Fact: robots in service to man, artificial intelligence

Ray BradburyKey work: The Martian Chronicles

Trivia: was actually anti-science and anti-technology

Fiction to Fact: earphones, TV as a replacement for reading