In
the classic Shakespearian play, Hamlet,
the main character makes a soliloquy in which he states the famous quote, “To
be, or not to be: that is the question…” Some genres of literature have strong
characteristics, and others seem to mix interchangeably. What are the
significant differences amongst our society’s popular genres?
Two
categories of literature that seem to seep into the grey area are science
fiction and fantasy. Science Fiction is commonly something unknown that is
hypothesized to be understood in the future, so it would be thereby changed as
a common perspective of a specific idea. A misinterpretation is the confusion
of science fiction and fantasy, which is a genre that clings the curiosities of
the imagination and it is admired for its strangeness. Science fiction is
“fiction” because it is not based off certifiable evidence of the story’s
existence, but basic scientific law and theory rule the direction of the story.
Science fiction is explicit throughout the entirety of the story line, but
fantasy is extremely vague and has no concrete explanation for its mysterious
phenomena.
So
back to the question: To be, or not to be? Why is science fiction seemed to be
out ruled to the popularity of fantasy and the supernatural? In today’s world,
it seems we are always looking for explanations. Why is the sky blue? Why is
the grass green? How did Earth come about? We are an advanced civilization of
technology and science; everyday common questions are being answered. Fantasy,
on the contrary, does not demand any answers or scientific explanations.
Fantasy has no grounding in reality and allows people to escape the reality.
Fantasy usually involved supernatural forms and some type of magical theme
within its plot, which lacks any rationality. I think both are interrelated,
but they are both distinctively different. In the popular media, fantasy is in
the public eye. Then again, science fiction is still thriving in cinema like Tron, Stars Wars, and even the more
recent, Hunger Games. The popularity
and opinion solely seems to depend on whom you ask.
I agree that they are totally different things, and it depends on who you ask. People do use these things to escape reality because in those worlds you could almost do anything.
ReplyDeleteI like how you relate science fiction and fantasy writing as reality and an escape from reality. I agree that the reason fantasy is so popular is because of it's no-questions-asked plot lines that are easy to escape into. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the two genres are hugely different from each other. Both present us with a different world containing new beings and concepts. However I find the subject matter of science fiction to generally much more dismal. I completely agree with you that the genres are interrelated but still very different. I just prefer fantasy because it is essentially escape literature' whereas sci fi tries to force its lesson. Great post!
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