The Collective Rather Than The Individual Hero

Because the imaginary components of science fiction can be rationalized by potential scientific explanations, there are elements of non-fiction within this genre too. This combination of both fiction and non-fiction is well-suited for Bradbury’s purposes because although his book discusses a future society, it also mentions a great deal about how the world currently is and how it was to some degree when he wrote it in the fifties.

In conclusion, science fiction is ultimately a genre of displaying humans present state of being and displaying how catastrophic the future can be if we neglect to point out the flaws and challenge each other. Science fiction of course contains information on aliens, futuristic-looking gadgets, distant worlds, and robots but in the core of it all, sci-fi is the ultimate genre of warning. Warning of hazardous technological advancements and utter carelessness to the craft of inventing. Be careful of what the future holds. The future started yesterday and we’re already

“There is something bigger than fact: the underlying spirit, the mood, the vastness, the wildness,” Emily Carr explains during an interview. Carr explicates a compelling idea: Works of literature contain a sub-meaning or an underlying meaning. These sub-meaning emerges in the bestselling science fiction book written by Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury expresses sub-meanings in his text by utilizing character foils. Through the character foil displayed in the fictional personas, Montag and Beatty, Ray Bradbury elucidates three main ideas: contradicting viewpoints will unfailingly exist; choices define a person; to choose knowledge is greatness.

Throughout this semester our literary material dealt with themes of technology, modernization, the imponderable bloom, human nature, and truth to name a few of the most overarching. Each text has woven an impression of the possible near future for humanity if the patterns we are creating continue at an exponential rate. Patterns such as consumerism, neglecting unpleasurable emotions, using drugs, and controlling the environment for our short term benefits will write an unsavory and inevitable future. Science Fiction often reflects on society by exaggerating their negative characteristics and advancements to seem far-out, but often it is ironic how close many aspects of the fiction are a direct reflection of the present condition. Even now, the possibilities of utopias and dystopias forming are not so out of reach. The ability of our culture to control an entire population with a self-satisfied culture of vices outfitted with technology is less and less science fiction as the years pass.

Science fiction is often written as a commentary on our world. Events that may occur in the future, things that may have been invented, technology that has advanced further than our imaginations. Books like Fahrenheit 451 and the short story of Harrison Bergeron talk about how our society could be controlled by one larger being. In order to make everyone equal, happy, and clueless. Knowledge is the power to understand, in both books it tells us how to think about how much we truly understand our society and why is the truth hidden and silenced from us.

As time goes on and new generations come about, many of the ideals of former generations seem to become irrelevant. Scott LaBarge, a professor of philosophy, elaborates on this idea and others in his essay. “Why Heroes Are Important” is LaBarge’s pursuit to persuade others of his idea of heroes in today’s society. He claims that many of our youth do not know what a proper hero is and that former generations should be educating them. LaBarge begins his persuasion by describing his personal experience and credibility; then, he briefly describes the history of heroes to tie in his opinion on the definition; finally, he uses Aristotle’s idea of Kairos to explain how his opinion proves true according to current events.

Science fiction is inherently predictive. The works created under this genre often delve deeply into important issues, including anything from scientific advancements to the ramifications of  societal control. As we break through the caution tape set up by those attempting to warn of us our future, the utopias of yesterday become the dystopias of today. A world full of possibilities becomes distorted by our own desire for power and control. Though fiction turned occasional fact, science fiction has become a precursor to important discussions regarding the advancements of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The concept of science fiction is that it generally portrays possible paths our future could take. Society naturally will change and move forward. Sometimes the progression is positive while other times it may be negative progression.The book, "Fahrenheit 451," is based off of the question, "What if... firemen burned down houses instead of saving them?" This question is a perfect example of how an author shows progression inside a book. Yes, it may not be the ideal variation to an everyday fairytale, but it shows a new path that society could possibly take. Another example of this is in the book, "Anthem." In this book no one is allowed to think or act for themselves. On page 21 of "Anthem," the main character states, "We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives. We exist through by and for our brothers who are the State. Amen." This statement shows a regression in the way society is living their lives. Individual thinking is discouraged, and so very few people actually have control. This shows a negative progression. However, not every society progresses negatively. In "The Pedestrian," on page 2, it states, "Ever since a year ago, 2052, the election year, the force had been cut down from three cars to one. Crime was ebbing; there was no need now for the police, save for this one lone car wandering and wandering the empty streets." This tells that they actually didn't need police cars anymore because there was no crime. Overall, their society had made a change for the better. In all of these pieces, the author shows adamant change and progression in

Leguin writes a story that goes against the norms of science fiction in a supposedly sci fi story titled “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”. Her outlook on science fiction describes a story in which society resides in a dystopian utopia. The story takes place in a perfect world where joy is amongst most of its people. One person, well child, is treated poorly in order to maintain their idea of a perfect place. “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”, according to to our society may not serve as the best example of a science fiction literary work. Leguin writes a story about socialism, but does not include what most sci fi stories have which are a world of technology.

In the article written by Ursula LeGuin, Science Fiction and the Future, LeGuin speaks of what societys perception of the future is, the dreams we have for ourselves. Just like the article, Science Fiction and the Future, Dr. Haber is a

Every text is a product of its time. In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, she uses the gothic horror genre to explore some of the concerns of her time relating to the use of science and technology and its impact on humanity. Similar concerns are also present in Ridley Scott’s “Bladerunner”, a futuristic text which combines science fiction and film noir to present a bleak view of a future world overrun by technology and consumerism, but devoid of human emotion. Both these texts offer insights into the human experience namely between man and science and man and nature.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny” (King) Martin Luther King speaking these infamous words is only a small portion that reveals the inspirational nature that allowed him to overcome racism. Oppression whether it is for race, gender, sexuality is still a “ series of unfortunate events” that occurs in our world every single day. The ground that America was built on was based on equal rights for all, yet 200 years later injustice not only exists but thrives. However, if nobody overcame oppression what would our world look like without those heroes and leaders?. In Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther king is depicted as a man who was able to fight for his people and his freedom even after all the horrific encounters with racism he had to witness. In Sherman’s Alexei’s, “What you Pawn I will Redeem”, Jackson Jackson, even after left homeless and alone, fought to get his grandmothers regalia back. Dana Johnson’s Melvin from “Melvin in the 6th grade”, lived through bullying and violence but was still able to remain a hero in Avery’s eyes. What made those people so amazing? Is it there charm, wit, perseverance? Leaders become influential when other people strive to have those same heroic qualities. A true hero is an ordinary person who exemplifies forgiveness, passion and empathy which allow them to overcome an oppressive situation and

Moreover, the positive messages embedded in science fiction works can have powerful influence on the audience and the society, both locally and globally. In particular, most of the messages embedded are prompted by the past events of world history or by the contemporary social phenomena, and

Could a fugitive and drugged girl be consider a hero? Hero is a person who stand by the others, is brave, and risk her/himself on a journey to achieve justice. Sarah Manning from the TV show Orphan Black used to use drugs, and she stole money from a drug dealer to give a better life to her daughter. After she takes her child back, she finds out that she has ten more sisters, or clones. Therefore, Sarah is a hero because of her journey and her personality.

Much of the appeal surrounding science fiction is the fact that a lot of the genre exists far from what we experience in our own world, and far from what exists within our own imagination. The phrase, “cognitive estrangement” has been used to describe the way that a lot of science fiction makes us feel. In his essay, “Estrangement and Cognition,” Darko Suvin describes cognitive estrangement and its relationship with Science fiction as a genre. He writes, “Thus it is not only the basic human and humanizing curiosity that gives birth to SF. Beyond an indirect inquisitiveness, which makes for a semantic game without clear referent, this genre has always been wedded to a hope of finding in the unknown the ideal environment, tribe, state, intelligence, or other aspect of the Supreme Good (or to a fear of and revulsion from its contrary). At all events, the possibility of other strange, covariant coordinate systems and semantic fields is assumed,” which explains that the strange is what drives interest in Science Fiction. He emphasizes that it’s the weird that sets science fiction apart from other genres, including fantasy. This sentiment has been echoed by many other writers. In the same essay, Suvin writes, “The effect of such factual reporting of fictions is one of confronting a set normative system—a Ptolemaic-type closed world picture—with a point of view or look implying a new set of norms; in literary theory this is known as the attitude of estrangement.” This statement