Though far from unique to science fiction, social criticism may well be the most important and influential of all sub-themes. Science fiction comes into existence mainly to give authors an arena in which they can express their concerns about a changing present and an uncertain future. Science fiction's usefulness lies, as Alexei Panshin puts it, ?in the unique opportunity it offers for placing familiar things in unfamiliar contexts, and unfamiliar things in familiar contexts, thereby yielding fresh insights and perspective,? and making it an ideal medium through which to question elements of our society. Novels of utopia and dystopia, the most blatant form of social criticism, provide subtle or blatant critiques of social and political systems. George Orwell's 1984 (1949), one of the most famous dystopias, criticizes overprotective and controlling government, popularizing the phrase ?big brother is watching.? On the other hand, the stories of the New Wave employ subtler methods, challenging assumptions and attitudes in the context of a story.
A Close Examination of Speculative Science fiction, 1998
No comments:
Post a Comment