Week 8 - Che Crawford - Science Fiction

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 genre of writing categorised by it’s inclusion of surreal elements outside the norm such as;

• A time setting e.g. The future or alternate past.
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• A spatial setting such as outer space or on subterranean earth.
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• Characters that include robotic life and extraterrestrials.
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• Technology that is futuristic such as weapons, teleportation, transportation and advanced computers.
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• Scientific principles that are new or that contradict known laws of nature for example time travel, wormholes, or faster-than-light travel.
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• New and different political or social systems such as ‘Dystopian’, ‘Post Scarcity’ and ‘Post Apocalyptic’
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• Other universes or dimensions and travel between them.

While opinions differ on the exact separation of Speculative and Science fictions, if there is to be any, a common opinion is that Speculative fiction takes place under a ‘What if’ scenario that follows with a strict adherence to scientific law.

‘The Time Machine’ by H.G Wells is a good example of this idea because the story begins with the surreal time machine and the continuing story restricts itself to reality.

The problem with that idea is that much of science fiction also falls under the idea of a ‘What if’ scenario, but also some works classified ‘Science fiction’ have very little to do with the Genre. If fiction was to be pigeon holed for their every little difference, I am sure that Speculative fiction would be it’s own genre with elements overlapping science fiction, but as it is, Speculative fiction can be considered a subgenre of Science Fiction.

Dick’s novel, ‘Man in the High Castle’, tells the story of ‘modern day’ (1962) life under the totalitarian rule of Axis power after the Allied Forces fail to win World War 2. It is a fascinating novel with a well thought out plot and immense subplots. It even has a fascinating story within a story that tells of the opposite Allied forces success. It is a literary classic like many of Dick’s novels but unlike many of his novels it lacks robots, futuristic machinery or alternate time settings.

The novel rewrites some minor yet important historical factors which set in motion a complete change in history, but does so without any ‘fantastic’ notions. The reality the story takes place in is entirely normal with only a different history and continued different present.

The only ‘Science Fiction’ element in the story is the fact that it can be considered ‘Speculative Fiction’ and Speculative Fiction is a subgenre of Science Fiction.