Throughout the twentieth century, significant shifts have occurred in the ways in which fandom operates, partially as a result of the increasingly integral role digital technologies have come to have within our everyday practices. The phrase ‘digital technologies’ refers to the tools used to share, analyse, and create information, using binary code. This may comprise software, online systems, or the hardware used to access such facilities. In recent years, scholarly discussion has emerged concerning
In the early days of science fiction literature, women authors were at the forefront of the genre. In the article “Science Fiction Finds a New Muse: Feminism,” David Levesley argues that there is a distinct difference between science fiction television and science fiction literature, also known as “fantastical literature”: “While sci-fi TV that bases its lore on feminist ideas and gender studies is still developing, it has long been the case for fantastical literature.” Deven Maloney echoes this
In i, Robot, Asimov engages the debate of pro technology and anti advanced technology head on. He uses the robots he creates to explore both sides of the argument however, I believe that he is in the grey area of this debate. When it comes to the robots Robbie and Nestor 10 this can be seen. Robbie, an older model but still advanced piece of technology, has all of his laws intact. These laws help keep Robbie in line and are part of what helped him save Gloria from the truck. With Nestor, things are
Atwood attended the University of Toronto and earned her bachelor's degree in 1961. Following this, she went on to receiver her master's degree from Harvard University. Since 1961, Atwood has produced a highly acclaimed body of work that includes fiction, poetry and literary criticism. Atwood published her first volume of poems, Double Persephone, in 1961 (Toronto), followed by many more throughout the next three decades, interspersed with novels, including The Edible Woman, Surfacing, Lady Oracle
Comparing The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and Anthem by Ayn Rand The two novels, ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ and ‘Anthem‘, are both haunting, first person tales of personal hardship in a closed and controlled society. In this essay I will point out many important similarities and differences between the two books, mainly the setting and the similarities between the two societies in which the stories take place, as well as more important differences between the main characters. To start
The Women of Cyberpunk Women have always been on the fringes of the science fiction writing community. Not only have there been few female writers, but few female characters of substance have explored the universe, battled aliens, or discovered new technologies. Even in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818), considered by some to be the first science fiction novel, Elizabeth, who is the major female character, does little more than decorate Victor's arm, snag his heart, and eventually contribute
Cronenberg’s work fits in. He is not obsessed with the body count as many other horror directors are and is also able to develop a plot rather rare in this type of a film. The three films I chose were able to walk a fine line between horror and science fiction, Videodrome in particular. While The Dead Zone was more of an action film with The Brood being the most true horror movie. I can tell that none of these films were high budget, they could even be considered a little cheesy leading to a cult status
Utopias and Dystopias Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood These two novels are dystopian tales about the possible future for the human race. Both have people totally controlled by the society in which they live. Nineteen Eighty-Four was written in 1948 when the two world wars were still fresh in everybody's minds, also people were well aware of totalitarian states due to publicity about places under dictatorship rule such as Nazi Germany. The Handmaid's
light created an eerie atmosphere. They had no modern technology like televisions for entertainment so they used books and story telling. Also people in Victorians times were less educated than we were now so they relied more on religion than science which made them more gullible which adds to the suspense as they were more likely to believe this story. Short stories usually have to start well to attract a reader’s attention and keep it throughout. The best way to do this is to begin with
travel. It was written 1989 which was before science as we now know it, which tells us that time travel is not possible because of paradoxes. This is still a good book that has many good things to say about America versus England, proving that the American way is superior. America in the day, had just won it’s independence and was trying to establish it’s own identity from England. Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, created the first science fiction novel with Mark Twain’s Conneticut Yankee
the novel. The characters should also be realistic so the audience can relate to them. The Time Machine follows these criteria with few exceptions. Why should this novel be looked at now, 100 years after it was written? The Time Machine is a science fiction novel that has a much different view of the future than the view that is commonly held today. Modern society foresees the future as a technologically advanced society that would make our present society look primitive. Many movies today portray
draper. He hated this work and managed to change his employment by working for his uncle and becoming a part-time tutor. This gave him the opportunity to continue his studies in his free time. He finally won a scholarship to The Normal School of Science in London. He worked as a journalist while continuing his education. In 1891, he married his cousin Isabel. In 1894, he and Isabel were divorced and he then married one of his pupils. In 1895, Wells’ first major work was published- Select Conversations
What impressions have you formed of the narrator? How has Atwood created these impressions? Give detailed evidence for your answer - The Handmaid's Tale What impressions have you formed of the narrator? How has Atwood created these impressions? Give detailed evidence for your answer The narrator of 'The Handmaid's Tale' is a woman who calls herself Offred. This is not her real name, but a name that she has been given by the particular husband and wife she is staying with. This makes the
Intertextuality The difference between short stories and novels extends far beyond the obvious, Short stories are often read in a single sitting and can be defined as a brief version of logical events usually revolving about a singular plot. Whilst a novel may retain many of the characteristics of a short story the format builds upon these basic ideas and concepts, expanding on themes and extending the plot and shaping the story through complicated interaction between characters. The process of
The Importance of the Japanese Tourists in Chapter Five of The Handmaids Tale The Japanese tourists presented in chapter five may only cover a page and a half in the novel, however, this passage should not be underestimated as the tourists importantly act as a subtle representation of everything that the Handmaids have been stripped of, most importantly their freedom. The way in which the author introduces the reader to the tourists is notably intriguing: 'A group of people is coming towards
an English writer from the nineteenth century. He was born on September the 21st 1866 in Bromley, Kent. He first wrote a book when he was eleven; although this was not published it was a great achievement. He won a scholarship to the school of science, but he failed due to his other interests such as history, journalism, sociology and writing. His dad was a pro cricketer and a domestic servant. This may have had an influence on his work like in "The Time Machine" with the class divisions. His
forever, and as he progressed as a writer it fueled his science fiction from jet-planes to space travel. Soon thereafter in 1928 Arthur read his first science fiction magazine. At the young age of twelve he began to develop his almost fanatic obsession with Science Fiction. This forever curved his path towards writing Science Fiction. Also in early 1930 Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men was published, this beautifully written piece of science fiction was to have a profound effect on Clarke's writing
by Jules Verne. I figured that because it was so well known it must be an extremely interesting book. In addition, it was science fiction, the one area that I was always interested. My assumption was only partially correct, for I only was to a degree interested in the piece of writing. When Jules Verne was writing this book, he must have been reading some incredibly dull science book the day before, for that was what the book was written as. The style of writing was utterly against my tastes, and though
drawings and ideas. This book shows just how easy it is to mold a child. It uses a classroom of children facing a major change in their lives as the setting. The story moves quickly and the characters are only briefly sketched out. The story has a science fiction “feel” to it. The events preceding the story include a war (with an unknown opponent) that we have lost. The main character among the children is Johnny whose father fought in the war and is now being held prisoner. Johnny is afraid for his father
Brave New World: “Oh, my God, my God!'; In 1932, Aldous Huxley first published the novel, Brave New World. During this time, the ideas that Huxley explored in his novel were not a reality, but merely science-fiction entertainment. Brave New World confronts ideas of totalitarianism, artificial reproduction, anti-individualism, and forever youth- ideas which were not threatening in the 30’s. In the 1930’s, the high ethical standards people maintained and the limited amount of scientific