Science Fiction

1

• Science Fiction
• Vs
• Fantasy

2
A Story is a Story!Both Science Fiction
Fantasy have basic story elements.

• Both have characters, settings problems
  solutions
• Both have a theme--a message about life the
  author is trying to convey.

3
Science Fiction vs. FantasyThe two are very
closely related!

• In Science Fiction, there needs to be some
  possibility that the events could happen.
• In contrast, Fantasy, allows the author to use
  far-fetched concepts, like unicorns, three-headed
  creatures, telekinesis, etc.

4
Science Fiction

•  Science Fiction can be seen as a brand of
  fantasy. It is more believable because it uses
  scientific research as its basis.
• Good science-fiction stories are about human
  beings, with a human problem, and a human
  solution, but would not have happened without
  science content.

5
CONFLICT

• FANTASY
• CONFLICT Usually Person vs. SELF
• SCIENCE FICTION
• CONFLICT Usually Person vs. SOCIETY

6
TONE

• SCI FI--- REVEALS AUTHORS ATTITUDE TOWARDS
  SOCIETY/ Bigger picture/ life
• FANTASY- REVEALS AUTHORS ATTITUDE TO HUMANS AND
  OUR BEHAVIOR.

7

• Many Sci-Fi authors see their stories as loose
  predictions of the future. So they may use
  present-day social concerns as a warning of
  things to come.
• Fantasy authors have no desire to warn readers.
  They are mainly interested in entertaining the
  reader.

8
What is Science Fiction?

• Science fiction stories have a plot that combines
  science and fiction.
• The story plots are controlled by the basic laws
  of nature and science.
• It is closely related to fantasy.

9
What is Fantasy?

• Fantasy stories use magic other supernatural
  ideas.
• Ancient myths, legends, epics folktales are
  included in this genre.
• Worlds completely different from our own will
  be settings.

10
Fantasy Examples

• Lord of the Rings
• Chronicles of Narnia
• Sword and the Stone
• Anime
• Merlin
• What else?

11
Sci Fi Examples

• Matrix, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions
• New Star Wars Trilogy
• Spiderman
• Men in Black 12
• Minority Report
• Signs

12

• An early Science Fiction novel was
  Frankenstein,written by Mary Shelley.
• She used scientific knowledge to persuade the
  reader that her story plot was possible.
• In the early 1800s, she began the novel as a
  challenge. A small group of vacationers were
  asked to write ghost stories. She wrote one of
  the most unique and horrifying!

13

• Frankenstein was one of the first novels to deal
  with the possibility that mankind will create
  scientific advancements, and those same
  advancements might be used to harm mankind!
• Mary Shelley did not wish the story to be
  considered "supernatural, so she made the main
  character the scientist and his scientific
  efforts the focal point for the plot.

14
Major Themes in Science Fiction

• Utopian societies of the future
• Space travel to and from other planets
• (i.e. Star Trek)
• Time travel to the past and future
• (i.e. Back to the Future)
• Physical changes to man brought about by
  scientific/chemical error
• (i.e. The Incredible Hulk, Dr. Jekyll)

15
Remember

• Science Fiction grew out of Fantasy.
• Science Fictions authors preferred to have a
  more realistic tone to their works.
• So, expect to see some over-lapping of ideas in
  the two genres.
• Some Sci-Fi stories have a small amount of
  fantasy.

16

• Take a look at the following two video clips. Use
  your notes to determine
• 1. Which one is science fiction?
• 2. Which one is fantasy?
• 3. How do you know?

17

• Back to the Future Trailer

18

• The Hobbit Trailer