How is science fiction different from fantasy, according to Le Guin?
According to Le Guin, science fiction could be defined as a form of modern literature which is intended to predict future and also predict the human world. Le Guin has emphasized that both fantasy and science fiction inspire readers’ imagination. However, science fiction is more likely to be based on facts and the settings in sci-fi are scientifically possible. On the contrary, fantasy usually involves fate, romance, being chosen…something happens in a fantasy story that is impossible by the laws of nature as we know them.
I agree with you, Doris. The story of fantasy does not make any senses because if things could happen in real life, it is no longer fantasy. On the other hand, science fiction has relationship between the real world and the new world made by supposition.
ReplyDeleteHi Doris, you seem to be saying that fate and romance and the 'call to action' are things which are impossible by the laws of nature as we know them. I'm curious about why? Note that many science fiction stories also has elements of fate, romance and being chosen.
ReplyDeleteCertainly there are branches of science fiction - like speculative fiction, which are based on things that *could* happen in our world, but there are also a lot of "aliens from outer space" stuff which requires just as much suspension of disbelief as fantasy. A good example of this can be found in HG Wells' War of the Worlds.
Good posting with simple yet true ideas, I agree with you about the fact that Science-fiction is based on real science and it will always show and explain how and why the incident happened in a scientific way, as for fantasy the explainations will still be unrealistic and made up.
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