Science FictionBy:

Andrew AtkinsEdwin Brinkley

Erik Riley DiSantiEmily Strominger

What is Science Fiction?

Definition of science fiction: Fiction dealing principally with the impact of factual or imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factors an essential orienting component

Science Fiction in Literature

• The term Science Fiction was used first in 1851 in chapter 10 of A Little Earnest Book upon a Great Subject.

• The sentence in which Science Fiction was referenced was as followed:

• “Science Fiction, in which the revealed truths of Science may be interwoven with a pleasing story which may itself be poetical and true.”

History of Science Fiction

• Science Fiction has been around for many ages, although, before 1851, it was not intended to be viewed as science fiction. In 1634, Johannus Kepler (discovered the basic laws of planetary motion) used science fiction to imagine living on the moon. Today, that would be ruled as science fiction because technology has not yet evolved enough for man to live on the moon for long periods of time.

How is This Relevant to Frankenstein?

• Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is widely recognized as the first Science Fiction novel(unlike other books with science fiction elements, this was a 100% Science Fiction novel). In Mary Shelley’s era, people believed that when a person died, its skin was brought back to life in the form of maggots. Mary Shelley took this belief and warped it into a science fiction novel about bringing a man to life. In this time period, we know this is not possible; however, in Shelley’s era it was possible the human mind.

Is Science Fiction the Same Thing as Fantasy?

• Science Fiction is not the same thing as fantasy. Fantasy has extensively imaginative elements while Science Fiction holds a air of possibility.

If That’s True, Then Why Are There Aliens in Science Fiction?

• Humans have not fully explored the universe. Therefore, there might be aliens out in space. No one has proved there are no such things as other life forms ,and therefore, aliens are not very realistic in the minds of Realistic Fiction writers, but realistic enough for it to be considered possible to some extent.

What are some Science Fiction Novels?

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley• The Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov• Star Wars: Knight Errant by John Jackson

Miller• The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis

Why do People Enjoy Science Fiction?

• “Reading science fiction is the ultimate interactive experience because when you read science fiction, your brain begins to build a world from the ground up.” Quote by Sherry Sontag.

• Science Fiction makes your brain work to imagine what type of world the characters live in. If you like to imagine, or if you have a good imagination, you might enjoy Science Fiction.

What Makes Science Fiction Unique?

• Unlike fantasy, Science Fiction doesn’t always have a happy ending.

• There are limits as to how unrealistic the story can get.

• Unlike Historical Fiction, it is not related to a certain time period.

Science Fiction Overview

• Science Fiction maintains an air of being realistic, unlike fantasy, which is extremely imaginative and unlikely to ever happen.

• When reading Science Fiction, the reader must imagine the world in which the setting takes place. People who have a large imagination may like science fiction.

• The science of Frankenstein was believed to be realistic because of the relationship between maggots and dead bodies in Mary Shelley’s time.

Bibliography

• "Amazon.com: Star Wars: Knight Errant (9780345522641): John Jackson Miller: Books." Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-John-Jackson-Miller/dp/0345522648/ref=sr_1_2?s=books>.

• Franklin, H. Bruce. "Science Fiction: The Early History." Rutgers-Newark: The State University of New Jersey. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~hbf/sfhist.html>.

Bibliography Cont.• Merriam Webbster. Merriam Webbster. Web. 14 Nov. 2011.

<http://mw2.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/science%20fiction>.• Old Book 6. Photograph. Google Results for Picture of Book.

Google. Google. Web. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=picture+of+a+book&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1174&bih=592&tbm=isch&tbnid=gq7zDYTS88MHsM:&imgrefurl=http://tracichee.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-is-book.html&docid=3sSOCNluFk-e7M&imgurl=http://mansfield.edu/english/media/images/old%252520book%2525206.gif&w=295&h=285&ei=UznBTrnZCqLv0gHj5cSfDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=362&sig=108608692207867569752&page=1&tbnh=120&tbnw=124&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0&tx=39&ty=17>.

Bibliography Cont.

• Pinchefsky, Carol. "Please Log in for Complete Access - InterGalactic Medicine Show." Orson Scott Card's - Intergalactic Medicine Show. Sept. 2006. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.com/cgi-bin/mag.cgi?article=012>.

• Rafidi, Suhail. "What Is Science Fiction?" My Writes. Wordpress. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://suhailrafidi.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/what-is-science-fiction/>. "What Is Science Fiction?" The Treitel Family. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www.treitel.org/Richard/sf/sf.html>.

Bibliography Cont.• Images.jpeg. Photograph. Web. <http://www.google.com/imgres?

q=science+fiction&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1278&bih=609&tbm=isch&tbnid=5beBVePwnBEaAM:&imgrefurl=http://www.wallpaperbase.com/3d-sciencefiction.shtml&docid=6IvfFvbaEq7S6M&imgurl=http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/3d/sciencefiction/science_fiction_7.jpg&w=1600&h=1200&ei=zcnDTtDFD4fu0gHf0b3cDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=171&vpy=146&dur=241&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=165&ty=75&sig=101237417096483691329&page=1&tbnh=127&tbnw=161&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0>.

• "Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet; Perelandra; That Hideous Strength." Amazon.com. Amazon, 1996-2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Space-Trilogy-Perelandra-Hideous-Strength/dp/068483118X>.