Speculative fiction cannot be compared entirely to Science Fiction because whatever the setting of Science Fiction may be, that genre is restricted only to the world of science and technology while Speculative Fiction is a wider boundary exploring other areas apart from just science and technology such as philosophy, language, history, the supernatural etc. However, Science Fiction sometimes falls under the works of Speculative Fiction even though Speculative Fiction often introduces the notion ‘What If’ unlike Science Fiction (even though the latter may sometimes introduce that notion e.g. Jurassic Park written by Michael Crichton introduces a notion that ‘what if’ prehistoric animals could be brought to life again). Both Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction give new outlooks on life and are capable of pushing the boundaries of our imagination. Speculative Fiction and Science Fiction (on its own) often borrow inspiration from real-life events or original works
The Man in the High Castle’s principal theme follows that of confusion and interpretation. It carries Dick’s major theme in all his work, the web of illusions masking reality which occurs throughout the novel. Closely related to this theme is the exploration of a relationship between what is artificial or fictional and the authentic, and how, if possible, to tell the difference between both elements.
The story is set in a world of Alternate History because it makes references to the events and involves the people from the timeframe of World War II. The story has introduced other (non-fictional) aspects which appear to turn or change the history of the reality it is based on or that were responsible for other events set or even not set around that time such as a presented vision of the future towards the end of the novel when it reveals that spaceships begin to colonize Mars and other parts of the solar system.
“The world presented here is but an illusion that other better worlds might exist”(Dick, P.K. 2001; 1962. pg 5). The book presents a rare theme of a ‘story within a story’, the popular novel in the book itself known as The Grasshopper Lies Heavy by Hawthorn Abendsen is read at certain times by the characters in the novel. It relates to another “alternative world where in which the allies won the Second World War. The book is banned by Japanese and German Authorities but openly on sale in the Rocky Mountain States where the author himself resides”. This tool is also part of the ‘fictional book’ theme which is based around what may form the basis for the plot of the story
In conclusion, The Man in the High Castle is a form of Speculative Fiction, because it is a rich mix of alternate history, of WWII, the seeming paranormal, the co-existence of real and fictional worlds and the coming of the space age. Science Fiction is only a small part of the book.
The Man in the High Castle’s principal theme follows that of confusion and interpretation. It carries Dick’s major theme in all his work, the web of illusions masking reality which occurs throughout the novel. Closely related to this theme is the exploration of a relationship between what is artificial or fictional and the authentic, and how, if possible, to tell the difference between both elements.
The story is set in a world of Alternate History because it makes references to the events and involves the people from the timeframe of World War II. The story has introduced other (non-fictional) aspects which appear to turn or change the history of the reality it is based on or that were responsible for other events set or even not set around that time such as a presented vision of the future towards the end of the novel when it reveals that spaceships begin to colonize Mars and other parts of the solar system.
“The world presented here is but an illusion that other better worlds might exist”(Dick, P.K. 2001; 1962. pg 5). The book presents a rare theme of a ‘story within a story’, the popular novel in the book itself known as The Grasshopper Lies Heavy by Hawthorn Abendsen is read at certain times by the characters in the novel. It relates to another “alternative world where in which the allies won the Second World War. The book is banned by Japanese and German Authorities but openly on sale in the Rocky Mountain States where the author himself resides”. This tool is also part of the ‘fictional book’ theme which is based around what may form the basis for the plot of the story
In conclusion, The Man in the High Castle is a form of Speculative Fiction, because it is a rich mix of alternate history, of WWII, the seeming paranormal, the co-existence of real and fictional worlds and the coming of the space age. Science Fiction is only a small part of the book.
References
Dick, P. K. (2001; 1962). The Man in the High Castle. London: Penguin
N.A (N.D.). The Man in the High Castle Themes. Retrieved from http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-man-in-the-high-castle/themes.html
An interesting and well-argued response with some relevant links to the primary text. Don't forget to include in-text referencing, for example (Dick, 2001) where you develop your ideas from other sources, or if you quote something directly as in your 5th paragraph. In the latter case include a page (or paragraph) number alongside your direct quote.
ReplyDelete