The History of Science Fiction

The Beginnings The first recorded work of literature is The Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Mesopotamia about a mythological king. It contains a major flood scene.

Gilgamesh This flood scene can be seen as resembling a work of apocalyptic science fiction. The idea of apocalypse is a common theme in science fiction. We will be covering the theme of apocalypse in a later unit.

There have been several works of literature that contain fantastic elements: Icarus Beowulf The Divine Comedy by Dante The Tempest by Shakespeare Works by Arabic mathematicians One Thousand and One Nights Thomas More’s Utopia (the idea of utopia will be explored in a future unit)

Inspirations These piece of fantastic literature proved to be inspiration to future sci fi writers. The influence of these earlier works can be seen in contemporary science fiction.

First Novel Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is widely considered to be the first true science fiction novel. Published in 1818 About a scientist who creates a monster out of dead body parts. Deals with theme of man messing with things best left to god.

The First Great Writers Jules Vern –Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) –Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1869) –Jules Verne is considered “the world’s first full-time science fiction novelist” (L. Sprague de Camp) H.G. Wells –The Time Machine (1895) –The War of the Worlds (1898)

Pulp Magazines 1920s and 1930s Definition of “pulp” –A mixture of cellulose material, such as wood, paper, and rags, ground up and moistened to make paper. –A publication, such as a magazine or book, containing lurid subject matter.

Popular Magazines Amazing Stories (started in 1926) –Exclusively science fiction stories –Writers who wrote for Amazing Stories also wrote for western, crime, mystery, and military story publications Weird Tales (mostly fantasy)

Modernist Writing Modern writing refers to writing that happened after (or sometimes during) WWI. Modernist writing explored new ways of storytelling. Writers wrote about alien cultures, expanding time, distortion, individuality, alienation, and questioning reality.

The War of the Worlds out.com/od/1930s/a/w arofworlds.htm

John W. Campbell In the late 30s, John W Campbell became the new editor of Astounding Science Fiction Was bff with a group of writers who called themselves the Futurians: Isaac Asimov, Damon Knight, Frederik Pohl, and others. Mr. Campbell helped promote sci fi which quickly found great popularity in the U.S. Helped foster in the Golden Age of Science Fiction

The Golden Age The 1940’s and the 1950’s are considered the golden age of science fiction. Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard Campbell was a demanding editor who demanded higher standards in science fiction writing.

Golden Age and Film During the early 50’s science fiction films became wildly popular Invasion of the Body Snatcher Them! The Thing The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

New Wave 60’s and 70’s Aliens were seen as playful not just mean Frank Herbet’s Dune focused on the mystical and religious beliefs of a future galaxy. Science Fiction began to melt with social commentary, religion, and spirituality. Lots of experimentation. Stanley Kubrick’s movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Doctor Strangelove, and A Clockwork Orange, explored the visual appeal of sci fi.

Cyberpunk 1980’s and 1990’s Personal computers Rebellion Hacking Focused on “punks” and their imagined future underworld Science Fiction lost its optimism Matrix Orson Scott Card

Space Opera Space opera is a subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing powerful (and sometimes quite fanciful) technologies and abilities. Perhaps the most significant trait of space opera is that settings, characters, battles, powers, and themes tend to be very large-scale.speculative fictionscience fictionromanticmelodramatic -wikipedia

Star Wars is a Space Opera

Contemporary Sci Fi Issues: terrorism, plasma, bio-terrorism, medical outbreaks, plagues, disease, environmental, terrorist, global warming/cooling, pollution, natural resources, cell phones, hybrids, MP3 players, stem cell research, robots, genetic engineering

Main Point Science Fiction follows trends in science and technology, as well as historic and global issues.

Power of Science Fiction

Where U.S South America: Magic Realism Industrialized Nations Europe