Week 7&8

What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction? Which is The Man in the High Castle?

 Science fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction. Robert(2000) mentions that science fiction is "a genre or division of literature distinguishes its fictional worlds to one degree to another from the world in which we actually live."

 Speculative fiction is the fiction of 'what if?' It means that speculative fiction implies the what-if-type questions. Also, Speculative fiction can consist alternation of history.

“Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.” (Speculative Fiction, Wikipedia)

 

 I think It is not easy to classify the genres of literature.The story of The Man in the High Castle is about an alternative world where the power of Axis won in Second World War. The Man in the High Castle can be seen as both science fiction and speculative fiction. The Man in the High Castle has an element of Science fiction like future time setting, however, this novel also has Speculative fiction category which is "What if?" condition.

 

Reference

Roberts, A. (2000). Science Fiction. London : Routledge.
Dick, P.K. (2001; 1962). The Man in the High Castle. London: Penguin.
Wikipedia. (n.d). Speculative fiction. Retrieved October 23, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_fiction