Moriah Griggs April 21, 2014 Topic: Compare and contrast between science fiction and fantasy. Point out similarities and make predictions about future. Before taking a SF (science fiction) class I had no idea what the genre was about. Actually I regularly got SF and fantasy mixed up. After studying the two a bit I have a clear comparison that separate the categories and show they are completely different in some ways, but share similarities in others. For example, both fantasy and SF both present ideas that do not exist. The settings of both share fictional creatures, settings, concepts, and even devices. Fantasy is often based off of folklore, myth, magic, or supernatural aspects. Any story with supernatural elements can be called fantasy, including a lot of the horror genres about vampires, werewolves, demons, and ghosts are all fantasy. SF is universally often based in the future on technological or scientific advances. SF deals with the struggle to create, meaning, a different way of thinking, and often questions peoples assumptions revealing taboos. The plots within both categories are often about a journey, human conflict, analyzing society aspects, or predictions about future civilizations. A very old Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummers Night Dream” believed to be written in 1590 and 1596 was a classical idea of fantasy. It portrays the journey of four young lovers and their interactions with fairies. They story takes place in a mythical city called Athens with an enchanted forest, where a fairy king misguides the star-crossed lovers and plays tricks on his fairy queen by transforming a poor actor into a half-donkey. This work focuses on human interactions with falling in love. Some of my favorite books that have become fam... ... middle of paper ... ...opose the things we can’t begin to explain like vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. SF on the other hand, presents a backstory or plausible explanation like on how people could have their memories whipped, become slaves, and completely believe their someone else. Fantasy works don’t need to answers the who, what, when, where, and why questions in detail because by doing that they would step out of the mysterious realm of fantasy into SF. In SF the plot or setting usually refers back to current understanding of the real world. This is the key distinction. Fantasy does not require such explanations to have a basis in known science. Science fiction does. SF takes a supported, theoretical outlook about the future and makes predictions on what humanity could face. It’s the antithesis of Fantasy, which has every outlook as a scientific unexplainable existence.
The genre of the film is how we know what kind of film it is. Genre is a French word which literally means type; it shows what category a film comes under. There are certain factors in a genre which will identify it. Things like settings, characters and themes can all be similar in one specific genre.
Fairies, mortals, magic, love, and hate all intertwine to make A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare a very enchanting tale, that takes the reader on a truly dream-like adventure. The action takes place in Athens, Greece in ancient times, but has the atmosphere of a land of fantasy and illusion which could be anywhere. The mischievousness and the emotions exhibited by characters in the play, along with their attempts to double-cross destiny, not only make the tale entertaining, but also help solidify one of the play’s major themes; that true love and it’s cleverly disguised counterparts can drive beings to do seemingly irrational things.
Some text may belong in more than one genre. Understanding the genre will help you know what to expect from a text on its genre. When it comes to topics and themes, two different genres can have similar topics and themes.
The first step to understand those writers is to understand Age of Realism. When the literary points are looked at, it seen that the setting, the places and the time the piece takes place, is usually one that writer is familiar with. He had been there before or mostly it was his hometown. This made setting incapable of being neither fantastic nor futuristic as the writer obviously can’t go to those places. When the plot is look...
Often, science and horror fiction are grouped together under the general category of science fiction. This seems to be common among literature in terms of convenience of organization, however, it truly is inaccurate and the two classifications should not be grouped as one. While each genre may interweave elements of the other into the piece, they each have their own set of rules, and therefore, they should each be considered separate.
First, it’s important to understand the definition of “gothic literature.” At its most basic level, gothic literature is a genre that incorporates themes that are important to the human condition (relationships, gender, patriarchy, nostalgia, and the supernatural) and tend to look from the present back into the past (Gothic Literature, 2007). Gothic literature is known for their mysterious or sensational plots. It’s also important to note that the terms “gothic literature” and “gothic horror” are used somewhat interchangeably among people (Gothic Literature, 2007).
Generally speaking, the two most frequently used genres in literature are fictional and non-fictional. Having said this, fictional and non-fictional literature are distinct regarding their purpose as well the literary devices they use. Literary devices are specific language methods which writers use to form text that is clear, interesting, and unforgettable. Fictional literature, for instance, is something that is made up; however, non-fictional is factual. Furthermore, non-fictional works of literature such as literary essays usually convey a message using literary devices that differ than those used in fictional literature such as short stories, which are meant to amuse its readers. Literary essays uses literary devices such as description,
Love is a powerful emotion, capable of turning reasonable people into fools. Out of love, ridiculous emotions arise, like jealousy and desperation. Love can shield us from the truth, narrowing a perspective to solely what the lover wants to see. Though beautiful and inspiring when requited, a love unreturned can be devastating and maddening. In his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare comically explores the flaws and suffering of lovers. Four young Athenians: Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia, and Helena, are confronted by love’s challenge, one that becomes increasingly difficult with the interference of the fairy world. Through specific word choice and word order, a struggle between lovers is revealed throughout the play. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare uses descriptive diction to emphasize the impact love has on reality and one’s own rationality, and how society’s desperate pursuit to find love can turn even strong individuals into fools.
The science fiction genre is a genre of speculative fiction that is often considered to be unrealistic or unrelated to reality, it occurred due to time changing, the literature of change, as the world was developing in a specific era that the thinking and analysis of social aspects was in its early stages, which means that the elements and tropes of sci-fi are likely to be existed only within the frame of the plot, expanding the readers to reflect on themselves within their society, meaning no limitations to a specific frame. This essay will discuss the elements and tropes that are likely to be found in the sci-fi genre. Firstly, the effect of sci-fi genre elements and tropes, will be demonstrated. Secondly, the tropes and elements of the genre will be discussed as related to the indicated novel (Frankenstein).
In life it is necessary to have fantasy, because without it, life would be dull and meaningless. Life would be so different without dreams, since they are what motivate humans to keep on moving forward in order to achieve their goals. This is what Jorge Luis Borges is trying to explain to the reader in the book Ficciones which is very confusing, but also very deep in meaning. These stories demonstrate a theme of reality vs. fiction which is fascinating because in many of the readings fantasy is required at some point to accomplish a purpose or goal. Each unique story hides a meaning in the text which is a lesson to be learned. The confusion that is caused is similar to a labyrinth in which the reader gets lost. The message is hidden within the story so; it causes confusion to the reader. Events in the story suggest that the story is fiction, because most of the stories have existent scenery. The timing in some stories is from an event or tragedy that has occurred around that date. The reader realizes later on in the stories that unrealistic events began to occur which are impossible to take place in real life. This is when our minds become entangled with facts from our world and others form the impossible.
Imagination is the key to the universe. In order for one to use it, they may create a world of their own. Fantasy literature uses imagination as its key source, and everyday life as its secondary. Not one element can bring a piece of the art form together. Society lives on both factors as well. Fantasy art can either make or brake a world, just by the ideas and thoughts that are used with the imagination. This fantasized world is mainly inspired by reality and especially religious beliefs. Considering that fantasy literature is one of the oldest works, that any period of history can relate to; many stories seem to be fictional, if analyzed they become parallel to any cultural society. The characters in fantasy art works may represent actual people in everyday life, for example an evil witch may be compared to a mean motherly figure.
Gothic writing was usually written in mysterious and ominous tine. Most Gothic novels were filled with death and terror. The authors of Gothic novels most commonly filled their books with omens and foreshadows, showing the dark side of mankind.
William Shakespeare’s writings are famous for containing timeless, universal themes. A particular theme that is explored frequently in his writings is the relationship between men and women. A Midsummer Night’s Dream contains a multitude of couplings, which are often attributed to the fairies in the play. Each of these pairings has positive and negative aspects, however, some relationships are more ideal than others. From A Midsummer Night’s Dream the optimal pairings are Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, and Oberon and Titania; while the less desirable pairings are Theseus and Hippolyta, Hermia and Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, and Titania and Bottom. Throughout A Midsummer
The vampire genre is one that is so widely exploited because anything can be done with it. It can be made into a horror story made to induce nightmares, into a story that displays humans can be just as monstrous as the monster, or into a romance that proves that love conquers all. The mystery and sensuality that shrouds vampires allows for a vampire story to be anything and everything the writer or reader desires.
Popular culture consists of the cultural patterns and expressions which are recognized and reflected by the society. Speculative fiction which includes genres of speculation like science fiction, fantasy, horror, futuristic utopia/dystopia, alternative history and cyberpunk is a staple of popular interest and consumption. In the wake of advanced breakthroughs in science and technology, the speculative explores the ‘what if?’ through its exploration of life in its myriad forms. It is a combination of art and recreation and is comprised of a variety of elements that attract the fancy of the people. As an integral part of popular culture, it reflects the values of the society and draws from the common beliefs, shared values, fears and superstitions.