How to Study Science Fiction (and Why It's Important)
The first chapter of "Out of the Silent Planet" would take place in a desolate English countryside. It would be another cold evening until Dr. Elwin Ransom met an old acquaintance from his much younger years. Dr. Weston reminded him of a megalomaniac, whom C.S. Lewis might have created after a despot that terrorized Europe during the first half of the twentieth century. What was supposed to be an uneventful night for Dr. Ransom turned into a journey to remember, as Dr. Weston and Dick Devine, his power-hungry accomplice (and probably a despot wannabe), brought Ransom, a professor at the University of Cambridge, to Malacandra. Ransom would guess Mars, but Weston would keep on insisting on the inhabitants' local term on the fourth planet from the Sun. Anyone who hasn't read the novel might wonder if this was Lewis's attempt to imagine Barsoom. Not. This could be an equivalent of a cosmic theology, not so different from Narnia. What is science fiction?
The Scientific Study of Literature published a paper a couple of years ago, where the study revealed that the reading of science fiction books would make anyone reading more stupidly. The finding didn't polarize readers, as the big-screen adaptation of a science-fiction book would generate more interest than the written text itself. For instance, not a few viewers were perplexed at Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of "2001: A Space Odyssey", admitting that they won't understand the purpose of the black obelisk. Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote the screenplay, explained in the first few chapters of the novel, that homonids might have ended up as extinct species if not for the monolith's unseen powers. But the words demystified the images that turned Kubrick's epic treatment into a classic. In other words, the reading of science fiction won't be recommended for the hardcore fans of the (film) genre. Agree or disagree? It would be up to Literature students to find out.
You must know that cinema would romanticize, if not glorify, the character(s) before the idea. It's the other way around in science-fiction books, which you're supposed to be aware of. In fact, this article would identify the common themes that science-fiction novelists have probed in their works. Lewis' foray into science fiction would show that this genre could be different from the other genres. And you could write an essay about it. You should think about it later, as what you're about to read would be more important.
Themes to Help You Understand the Minds of Science-Fiction Writers
Devolution. H.G. Wells described this horrifying scenario in "The Time Machine" (1895), which revealed the irony behind the story. A scientist couldn't find his place in Victorian London, which might prompt you to wonder if Wells's mind was simply unfathomable. It wouldn't be a unique case after the publication of "Planet of the Apes" in 1963. Mankind might have made great strides through the centuries, yet man himself could be his biggest enemy. One false move, and everything would go down the drain. You may be thinking of the inherent goodness in the individual, but you should make your argument more than interesting. In other words, you're not supposed to discuss the follies. The clue may lie in another genre or two, as science fiction overlaps other genres. Those who are thinking of "Galapagos" may look to the next theme.
Ignorance. Kurt Vonnegut's "Galapagos" (1985) may be a fascinating tale on devolution, but anyone who is too familiar with science fiction would figure out the author's mind right away. Vonnegut, who was raised in Indianapolis, could be challenging Charles Darwin's view on evolution. It should reveal the extent of ignorance of the human mind, yet Vonnegut wouldn't condemn such audacity. It wouldn't be differ from Clarke's view on mankind's knowledge of the distant planets, which would mean that there won't be anything to write about. On the contrary, the challenging part of this argument would be making the right guess. After all, mystery would make a great science-fiction film. You must think that the written book would put ideas into the readers, but they couldn't figure out the motives of the character(s). It's up to you to know more about it.
New world (or just another fantasy). Jeanne DuPrau would mislead her readers in “The City of Ember”, as she successfully kept the origins of the subterranean community under wraps until the very last pages. It could remind you of “The Time Machine”, also George Orwell. However, the author wrote it with children in her mind. (The protagonists may be too young to apply for a driver’s license.) It would be a huge mistake to not take this daring tale seriously, as there was no doubt about the genre after reading the first few pages. What about the final chapter? It should put a different perspective to the story, which could make you analyze this seemingly simple narrative better.
Is Science Fiction Worth a Careful Read?
You must find out if science fiction is an inferior genre if it won’t overlap with other genre(s). You would disagree with it, but think twice. Many (science-fiction) characters are the same, more or less, and you previously read the common themes. Reading the same thing could prompt some readers to lose interest, and you won’t share that sentiment. You’re studying the genre. Moreover, this exercise is supposed to raise your empathy.
The other thing to consider is the world of the story versus the minds of the characters. Which one is more important to you? Your answer would reflect your perception on the themes, and how you make out of the characters. This is a literary exercise, so don’t think too hard. If you must beat procrastination, then make a good guess. Don’t look at other written materials. Good luck!
