Children's Literature Module One Lecture Two Science Fiction

Childrens Literature Iimodule One Lecture Twoscience Fictionscience

Childrens Literature Iimodule One Lecture Twoscience Fictionscience

Children’s Literature II Module One: Lecture Two Science Fiction

Science fiction is often grouped with fantasy even though it expresses scientific concepts in our world versus magical concepts in an imaginary world. Science fiction explores scientific concepts that are real today or pseudo-scientific concepts that could be real at some indeterminate point in the future based on the technology we have in the world today. It then attempts to illustrate for readers the potential good or evil of that technology and the different ways it may be used. Many science-fiction authors have dreamed up inventions decades before they could become a reality. For example, when Jules Verne wrote 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, submarines did not exist.

And Isaac Asimov came up with a story about children learning at home through online courses on their computers decades before computers had been invented for mass use. Science fiction has been called “the literature of ideas” and often explores the potential consequences of scientific, social, and technological innovations. It is often used to criticize present day society.

Brief History of Science Fiction

Science fiction can be traced back to ancient times, when authors first began blurring the lines between myth and reality. Some science fiction theorists say that the very first work of science fiction literature that we have is “A True Story” by Lucian of Samosata (AD). Lucian’s works were full of comedy and satire and were very popular in ancient antiquity. “A True Story” was written as a satire against authors who told “tall tales” (Lucian was very suspicious of mythology or religion of any kind). He also wrote the earliest known version of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” “A True Story” contains many themes and characteristics of modern science fiction such as travel to other worlds, extraterrestrial life forms, interplanetary warfare, and artificial life.

The Scientific Revolution & The Age of Enlightenment

The scientific revolution covers the period between the Copernican Revolution in 1543 and Isaac Newton’s Principia in 1687. One notable science fiction story of this time is “Somnium,” written by Johannes Kepler in 1608, considered by many scholars as one of the first serious works of science fiction. “Somnium” (The Dream) tells of an Icelandic boy and his witch mother learning about an island called Levania (the moon) from a daemon and deciding to travel there.

The Age of Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th to 19th centuries. It emphasized reason, sensory experience, and the scientific method, questioning religious orthodoxy and traditional authority. Notable works from this era include Francis Bacon’s “The New Atlantis” (1626), Margaret Cavendish’s “The Blazing World” (1666), and Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” (1726).

Modern Science Fiction Literature

The last 200+ years have seen an explosion in science fiction literature, often reflecting the chaos of modern times—wars, oppressive regimes, alienation, and mental health issues. The 19th century saw many groundbreaking works, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1821), Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932), George Orwell’s 1984 (1949), Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (1953), and Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness (1969). H.G. Wells was a pioneering figure whose works like The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), and The War of the Worlds (1898) predicted future technologies such as airplanes, tanks, nuclear weapons, satellites, space travel, and the internet.

Contemporary themes involve environmental issues, biotechnology, nanotechnology, space exploration, and post-apocalyptic worlds. The excitement around new novels and movies shows the genre’s enduring popularity, especially among children and young adults.

Popular Children’s Science Fiction Novels

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1943)
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (1962)
• A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle (1973)
• The White Mountains by John Christopher (1967)
• Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien (1971)
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (1985)
• The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)

The Dystopian World

While utopias describe perfect societies, dystopias depict worlds marked by suffering, injustice, and oppression. Many dystopian stories originate as cautionary tales, warning against the consequences of totalitarian regimes, technological control, or social decay. These worlds often feature dehumanization, alienation, social inequality, and pervasive violence, facilitated by advanced technology used to oppress and enslave populations.

Dystopias typically involve brutal governments or militarized police forces, often with a resistance movement fighting against the regime. They portray stark inequalities, oppressive religious or ideological control, and the artificial reproduction of children to serve state interests. Such worlds are rife with violence, chaos, and fear, illustrating the dangers of unchecked technological and governmental power.

Conclusion

Science fiction remains a vital genre that reflects our current fears, aspirations, and discoveries. It serves as a lens through which society can explore the potential consequences of scientific advancements, social upheaval, and moral dilemmas. For children, science fiction creates a space for imagination, curiosity, and critical thinking about the future of humanity and our planet.

References

• Baxter, S. (2010). The Routledge Concise History of Science Fiction. Routledge.
• Cavendish, M. (1666). The Blazing World.
• Gunn, J. (2015). The Science of Science Fiction. Yale University Press.
• Held, J. (2004). The Cambridge History of Science Fiction. Cambridge University Press.
• Kepler, J. (1608). Somnium.
• Lowen, D. (2019). A Short History of Science Fiction. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Orwell, G. (1949). 1984. Secker & Warburg.
• Shelley, M. (1821). Frankenstein. Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones.
• Wells, H.G. (1895). The Time Machine. Heinemann.
• Yardley, J. (2007). Science Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide. Routledge.