Science and the Supernatural
Science Fiction often acts as a mirror, reflecting the era in which it is crafted. In the dawn of the twentieth century, as society was fervently captivated by the marvels of technological progress through science and industry, tales from this genre took on an exploratory spirit. These narratives were frequently imbued with the wonders of natural sciences such as physics and astronomy, often coming to life through plot vehicles like spaceships or the concept of evolution. Such elements were woven into stories that imagined humanity’s fate or introduced exotic alien civilizations on distant planets. Fast forward to the more metaphysical 1960s, and we find literature such as Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land delving into the realms of pseudosciences—those theories or practices deemed scientifically speculative. In this narrative, the protagonist, a human endowed with Martian-gifted paranormal abilities, is called upon to reveal his telekinetic prowess: ‘“Mike, will you please, without touching it, lift that ash tray a foot above the desk?’... The ash tray raised, floated above the desk.”
Among Science Fiction aficionados, there is a preference for tales grounded in the "hard" sciences, with some purists arguing that the inclusion of pseudoscientific themes, such as telekinesis, nudges a story into the realm of Fantasy. This belief is similarly extended to magic, a common fixture in Fantasy literature like Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Within its pages, the wizard Gandalf, confronted by goblins, calls upon his mystical arsenal to fend them off: “there was a terrible flash like lightning in the cave, a smell like gunpowder, and several of them fell dead.” In the fantastical world of Fantasy, however, magic is not the sole dominion of wizards. Enchanted objects abound, such as the beguiling ring Bilbo uncovers, which harbors a potent enchantment: “It seemed that the ring he had was a magic ring: it made you invisible!” This uncanny ability to vanish from sight not only captivates readers but also plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of the story.
Time
The Enigma of Temporal Manipulation in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Among the myriad themes that weave the tapestry of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the manipulation of time stands as a perennial favorite. These tales often unfold in realms unbound by the present, casting their narratives in eras gone by or yet to come. Take, for instance, Wells’s seminal work, The Time Machine, where a daring adventurer embarks on a journey through the fourth dimension via a contraption designed to whisk him through time’s corridors. As the traveler confesses, “I am afraid I cannot convey the peculiar sensations of time travelling. They are excessively unpleasant.”
The Mechanics and Mysteries of Time Travel
Beyond the mechanical marvels like Wells’s device, other methods offer a less jarring voyage through the ages. Inspired by Einstein’s theory of relativity, Science Fiction authors have envisioned majestic starships that flirt with the speed of light. Aboard such vessels, time itself bends; for passengers, the clock slows, granting them a youth preserved, unlike those anchored at home. Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War vividly explores the psychological and emotional complexities of this phenomenon, where warriors maintain their vitality while pursuing an ever-elusive foe across the cosmos.
In the poignant finale of Haldeman’s tale, the soldier Mandella finally returns to his native world, only to discover that “the war ended 221 years ago.” Yet, an even greater shock awaits him—a missive left by his beloved, a fellow warrior lost to the expanses of space and time. Written 250 years prior, it outlines her ingenious plan to bend space-time in their favor, striving to reunite while fate still grants...
(This entire section contains 374 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
them youth and life.
So I’m on a relativistic shuttle, waiting for you. All it does is go out five light years and come back . . . very fast. Every ten years I age about a month. So if you’re on schedule and still alive, I’ll only be twenty-eight when you get here. Hurry!
Alternative Routes in Time's Narrative
Nonetheless, some creators of Science Fiction and Fantasy choose to sidestep the enigma of time travel, opting instead to set their sagas upon the firm ground of future or past epochs, crafting rich stories that stand independent of time’s slippery grasp.
Salvation and Destruction
From the dawn of Science Fiction, writers have woven tales that either herald the salvation of humanity through scientific advancement or ominously foretell its downfall. Notably, the narratives that garner critical acclaim or achieve "classic" status often align with the latter theme. Perhaps it is the allure of their somber and foreboding tones that allows these works to eclipse others; Science Fiction finds its true voice when it sounds the alarm. Readers need look no further than the visionary tales of Verne and Wells. Verne’s "Extraordinary Journeys" chronicles triumphant adventures, where mankind leverages machines to explore and master the mysteries of the world. In stark contrast, Wells’ narratives, shadowed by the perils of unchecked scientific ambition, continue to cast a profound influence over later Science Fiction luminaries. This fascination with grim and sometimes apocalyptic visions reached its zenith in the post-World War II era, a time shadowed by the specter of nuclear annihilation.
Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game offers one of the most haunting depictions of global cataclysm. The novel follows a prodigious child, honing his skills through strategic war simulations amidst the stars. As the story reaches its climax, both Ender and the reader are confronted with the harrowing truth: his apparent success in a simulated battle has resulted in the actual annihilation of the alien enemy’s home world. The revelation that the military exploited him to execute an interstellar attack, wielding a force far surpassing nuclear devastation, leaves Ender in a state of profound disillusionment: “they were real ships that he had fought with and real ships he had destroyed. And a real world that he had blasted into oblivion.” This is the essence of Science Fiction at its most compelling, where the shadows of human ambition cast the darkest tales.