Barry 2010

science fiction: a type of writing that deals with the impact of science on society or individuals

Science fiction is most often set in the future.

Often, the science or technology in science fiction novels is imaginary.

Science fiction is a prominent part of our popular culture.

Some recent sci-fi movies are Ironman, The Book of Eli, I Am Legend, and Transformers.

Let’s look at an example of a cartoon and a movie that could be called science fiction.

utopia: a place of ideal perfection especially in laws and society

The word is derived from the Greek ou for “not” and topos for “place,” meaning that no place like Utopia exists.

Invented in 1516, when Sir Thomas More published his book Utopia about an ideal country.

Sir Thomas More was a scholar and fervently religious Catholic during the reign of King Henry VIII. He opposed Martin Luther’s Reformation and he is recognized as a Catholic Saint.

In Thomas More’s book, Utopia is an island where people are tolerant, everyone works hard, and there is no crime or evil.

Since the book in 1516, the phrase has come to refer to any ideal place.

The idea of establishing Utopia has actually been attempted by many groups of people.

dystopia: also called anti-utopia, an imaginary place where life is extremely bad

In most dystopias, the principles upon which society is based are flawed or even evil.

Dystopias give us a view of what could happen if society went astray.

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian, science fiction novel.

simile: a kind of figurative language that compares two unlike things and usually begins with “like” or “as”

Similes add meaning as well as beauty to writing. They often create a more complete picture for the reader.

Object 1 is “like” or “as” Object 2

“In the eastern sky there was a yellow patch like a rug laid for the feet of the coming sun.” The Red Badge Of Courage by Stephen Crane

“All sorts of pleasant things happened about that time, for the new friendship flourished like grass in spring.” Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

“The wood duck flew away. I caught only a glimpse of something like a bright torpedo that blasted the leaves where it flew.” Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

metaphor: a kind of figurative language in which a word or idea is used in a sense outside its literal meaning to compare two unlike things

Simply put, metaphors make comparisons without using “like” or “as.”

Object 1 is Object 2

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.“Dreams” by Langston Hughes

This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,

May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Martin Luther