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The History of Science Fiction

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Page 1: 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

The History of

Science Fiction

Page 2: 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

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.

Page 3: 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

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.

Page 4: 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

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)

Page 5: 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

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.

Page 6: 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

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.

Page 7: 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

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)

Page 8: 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

Pulp Magazines1920s 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.

Page 9: 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

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)

Page 10: 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

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.

Page 11: 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

The War of the Worlds

• http://history1900s.about.com/od/1930s/a/warofworlds.htm

Page 12: 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

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

Page 13: 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

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.

Page 14: 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

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

Page 15: 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

New Wave60’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.

Page 16: 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

Cyberpunk1980’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

Page 17: 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

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.

• -wikipedia

Page 18: 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

• Star Wars is a Space Opera

Page 19: 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

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

Page 20: 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

Main Point

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

Page 21: 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

Power of Science Fiction

Page 22: 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

Where

• U.S

• South America: Magic Realism

• Industrialized Nations

• Europe