Hi guys. As far as I know, the term 'speculative fiction' was coined by RobertA,Heinlein who is well known science fiction writer. According to him, speculative fiction is broader dealing with real and more involves recognizable social themes such as the obligation of individual liberty and self-reliance, the obiligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organised religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress non-conformist thought.(wikipedia) On the other hand,He also states that almost all science fiction describes:realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the sientific method.(wikipedia)Yet, I feel that science fiction seems to usually emphasis the imaginative reality to probable events within a frame work of scientific knowledge based on logical order, whereas speculative fiction more deals with possible events of reality.
Q.2 I assume that 'The man in the High Castle'could belong to speculative fiction.To be honest, I'm still in the middle of reading it, however,this story is based on our own world history background such as aggressive Nazi germany, Japan's attack on peal Harbour and failing the united stats' economic performance etc. Particulrly, the use of I ching (ancient Chinese philosophical text) solidifies my support on that point.
Q.3 According to brown(2001), central themes in Dick's novel appears to be the idea of perceived reality because, he find that Dick was obsessed with the notion that the universe was only apparently real, an illusion behind which the truth might dwell. Therefore, Dick utilises SF to explore his obsession with metaphsics, the nature of perceived reality, good and evil, and the abuse of power(p,308) Brown's concern is that there are possibly few writers, paticularly in the SF area, who are willing to reflect to their own lives in their arts. Seemingly, Dick's art reflected high degree of his life which was an overall, chaotic and uneasy life. Acodingly, his troubled psychological make-up was employed repeatedly in his novels.
If you read the comments a bit further down in popgenres6, I had given some examples why I think one of themes in TMITHC has to do with the penetration of true reality in fake reality.
Anyhow, I will try to explain again. I think that Dick's novel is about the distinction between "fake" and "real" between what we think as reality, and what is really real, and if there is even really a difference.
For example: fake antiques and replicas in book.
This novel is also about how much our perception and preconceived notions determine our reality.
Well, I think the storyline of the book is a bit hard to grasp but you will enjoy it if you like stories that deal with themes and concepts of reality and existence. If not, then you won't.
I think this book is a bit like Marmite, it is either you like it, or you don't. There is no in between. hehe.
Anyhow, that is my only what I think the book is about, don't take my words for it. I am very likely to be wrong.
Regarding to your question about Speculative Ficiton and Science Fiction...
I see Speculative Fiction as a term that people use to define their genre who're ashamed that they write Fantasy/Horror/SF or probably an old English professor who think the genre is beneathe them.
Haha. Ok, that is a bit harsh.
Well, from what I heard from Paul's lecture on Monday is Science fiction usually is more concerned about writing the gadgets and technology whereas Speculative Fiction is based inh a more realistic background with philosophical elements in it.
That is the differences I see from Spec F and Sci F.
I'm awake, Grace. I come here ever now and then but I am not ready to write any answer yet. As you know, I have another assignment to hand in next week, also for Paul but not this paper. It's all about my poor time management anyway :'(
I haven't read both your comments and Pear jin's but I'll surely come back and read them. Pear jin's comments, as I briefly skimmed through, seem to be of some help for you.
Thank you for the your reply Apple Jean. It is true that You initiate me into the study of SF genre. Anyway,I feel that the storyline of 'The Man in the High Castle' is hard to find main plot but it can be the main story as you mentioned':it deals with the distinction between fake and real and also how much our perception as well as preconceived notions determine our reality.'Then the writer tells us through this novel the idea of truth are not possible to establish in reality, and also our supposition or speculation of authenticity probably create another faked real world. Such an idea often shows in his other works(I hope I shall Arrive Soon) "Reality is that which,when you stop beliving in it, doesn't go away." Now,I could reveal the obscure image of this novel. Thank you again.
yeah, I think TMITHC's concept is kind of similiar to Matrix.
The real world that Neo think he is living in is actually the fake world. (haha, oversimplified statement, but I'm sure you know what it means, if you'd seen the film.)
Well, it just makes you question the reality, that's all.
wow, 4 assignments! I've new literature essay, language in society test, and icommunicate powerpoint slides for next week. Can't hope for week 8 to pass and then I'll enjoooooy the hoilday
Hi Grace, my answer to Q3 is similar with you. Brown (2001) identifies four central themes and concerns of Dick’s novel:
1. At first glance, Dick’s early novels conformed to type: he used the popular leitmotifs of SF – alien worlds, precognition, ray-guns – but employed them to his own agenda. (p. vi) 2. Again and again in his work, we find reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is a hoax, a shadow-play conceived by malign forces. (p.vii) 3. Another of his concerns was what constitutes a true human being, as opposed to a fake (p.vii) 4. As Grace finds Dick’s art reflected his life – and it was an eventful, troubled and chaotic life. (p.vii)
I am trying to answer what role I Ching has as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle according to Mountfort (2006)
Dick endorsed both the narratological and oracular functions of the I Ching.
There are ten oracle consultations outlined within the covers of High Castle: replies that Dick received from the I Ching when he posed it questions at various critical junctures in the novel regarding the situations his characters faced: how they should interpret evens, what they should do next, and what the result would be. (p.5)
These ten consultations also illuminate the subterranean fate-lines that connect characters who never meet but whose decisions and actions effect each other in concrete ways. (p.5)
Thus Dick employs a meta-fictional device to comment self-reflexively – and perhaps pre-emptively; he has constructed a story using the oracle to effects ‘a semiotic sequence’, or a novel narrative out of the universal situations the oracle codifies. (p.8)
Interesting, the main drive that Dick wrote High Castle is from I Ching too. He wrote:’ I speak from experience. The Oracle – the I Ching – told me to write this piece.’ Dick sensed the dangers of this abnegation of the will to an impersonal force, but was, in his own words, ‘hooked’. (p.4) Juliana demand that they consult the I Ching there and then to ask why it wrote Grasshopper, meanwhile, in the ‘real world’ Dick is simultaneously demanding the same question of the I Ching in relation to his novel. The oracle’s response: ‘It’s Chung Fu” – Inner Truth. (p.8)
Hello! Guys, Sorry. I just finish my Japanese test. So it’s late for me to post my comment to the blog in week 7. Now I would like to answer the Question 3. I definitely agree with Grace and AW’s opinions. I haven’t got any new ideas about these two questions. I only want to do my contribution after I finish reading in our course book.
Question 3 Firstly, according to Brown (2001),” At first glance, Dick’s early novels conformed to type: he used the popular leitmotifs of SF- alien worlds, precognition, and ray –guns- but employed them to his own agenda (Brown, 2001). So that Dick’s early novels contain these obvious contents, including alien worlds, precognition, and ray –guns.
Secondly, Brown (2001) also states that again and again in his work, we find that reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is a hoax, a shadow-play conceived by malign forces ( Brown, 2001). Dick made the reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is hoax in his SF.
Thirdly, Brown (2001) states that in Dick’s novels, he was populating his novel with a repertoire of fully- realized characters whom comes from real life, composites of people he knew and versions of himself (Brown, 2001). In Dick SF, some main characters all comes from the real life. Dick would choose some people whose characteristic is similar to him. Or Dick has already familiar with these people.
Finally, Brown (2001) states that “Another of his concerns was what constitutes a true human being, as opposed to a fake- a question he explored in the novel Do Androrids Dream of Electric Sheep (1968), among others.” And Brown also concerns that “especially within the SF field, few writers drew so readily upon the events of their own lives. To a great degree, his art reflected his life- and it was an eventful, troubled and chaotic life”. (Brown, 2001).
Hi! Guys, I would like to try to answer the question 7 now. Could you guys please give me some suggestions? Or we can discuss it together?
Dick (1995) states that “Since it works on the basis of synchronicity- and is a device by which synchronicity can be handled. May be you prefer the word”coincidence” to Pauli’s word (Dick, 1995). Based on my own experience, Asian people are only interested in I-Ching. However, westerners also interested in some important points such as “synchronicity” or” coincidence” are not usual. For example, Dick (1995) states that “Anybody can get into this state now, not just the schizophrenic (Dick, 1995).And they also think that I-Ching could predict something for them.
And also according to Dick (1995) “For a schizophrenic, any method by which synchronicity can be coped with means possible survival; for us, it would be a great assist in the job of temporarily surviving….. If people are totally schizophrenic now, by all means use the I Ching for everything, including telling you when to take a bath and when you open a can of cat tuna. If people are partially schizophrenic, then use it for some situations-but sparingly; If people are not schizophrenic at all and kindly use the book a very measured little- in controlled doses, along the lines of your wise “ ( Dick, 1995). Therefore, I-Ching does influence the people’s life. Some people believe that I-Ching could give a completely right direct for their life. Conversely, the other group of people just thinks that I-Ching is just a prediction for their future. It won’t be one hundred percent correct.
1. What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction? I strongly agree with Pearjin’s idea: The difference between Speculative fiction and Science Fiction is that Sci-Fi is more focussed on techonology and gadgets whereas Speculative Fiction is based on more realistic background with philiosophical elements in it. Hi Pearjin, nice to see you comments in our group :)
Sorry about I told you, I saw the film “the man in the high castle”. It’s a different film named “the last castle” (really good, strongly recommend you guys to have a look).
Q5) According to Mountfort, Dick used I Ching to help him plot the story, in which way it should go, what the result should be as he states that “when he posed it question at various critical junctures in the novel regarding the situations hsi characters faced, how they should interpret events, what they should do next, and what the result would be" (Mountfort 2000, p.5)
23 comments:
1. What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction?
2. Which is The Man in the High Castle?
3. What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes and concerns of the novel?
4. What elements conform to the wider generic features of SF?
5. According to Mountfort (2006), what role does the I Ching have as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle?
6. How does the use of this device illuminate the character of the novel’s protagonists?
7. What was does Dick (1995) himself theorise about the I Ching?
Hi guys.
As far as I know, the term 'speculative fiction' was coined by RobertA,Heinlein who is well known science fiction writer.
According to him, speculative fiction is broader dealing with real and more involves recognizable social themes such as the obligation of individual liberty and self-reliance, the obiligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organised religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress non-conformist thought.(wikipedia)
On the other hand,He also states that almost all science fiction describes:realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the sientific method.(wikipedia)Yet, I feel that science fiction seems to usually emphasis the imaginative reality to probable events within a frame work of scientific knowledge based on logical order, whereas speculative fiction more deals with possible events of reality.
Q.2
I assume that 'The man in the High Castle'could belong to speculative fiction.To be honest, I'm still in the middle of reading it, however,this story is based on our own world history background such as aggressive Nazi germany, Japan's attack on peal Harbour and failing the united stats' economic performance etc. Particulrly, the use of I ching (ancient Chinese philosophical text) solidifies my support on that point.
Q.3
According to brown(2001), central themes in Dick's novel appears to be the idea of perceived reality because, he find that Dick was obsessed with the notion that the universe was only apparently real, an illusion behind which the truth might dwell. Therefore, Dick utilises SF to explore his obsession with metaphsics, the nature of perceived reality, good and evil, and the abuse of power(p,308)
Brown's concern is that there are possibly few writers, paticularly in the SF area, who are willing to reflect to their own lives in their arts. Seemingly, Dick's art reflected high degree of his life which was an overall, chaotic and uneasy life. Acodingly, his troubled psychological make-up was employed repeatedly in his novels.
argh!! I just posted a reply for Grace and the stupid internet ate it!
i need to retype the whole thing again. =_="
Grace:
If you read the comments a bit further down in popgenres6, I had given some examples why I think one of themes in TMITHC has to do with the penetration of true reality in fake reality.
Anyhow, I will try to explain again. I think that Dick's novel is about the distinction between "fake" and "real" between what we think as reality, and what is really real, and if there is even really a difference.
For example: fake antiques and replicas in book.
This novel is also about how much our perception and preconceived notions determine our reality.
Well, I think the storyline of the book is a bit hard to grasp but you will enjoy it if you like stories that deal with themes and concepts of reality and existence. If not, then you won't.
I think this book is a bit like Marmite, it is either you like it, or you don't. There is no in between. hehe.
Anyhow, that is my only what I think the book is about, don't take my words for it. I am very likely to be wrong.
xo
Grace:
Regarding to your question about Speculative Ficiton and Science Fiction...
I see Speculative Fiction as a term that people use to define their genre who're ashamed that they write Fantasy/Horror/SF or probably an old English professor who think the genre is beneathe them.
Haha. Ok, that is a bit harsh.
Well, from what I heard from Paul's lecture on Monday is Science fiction usually is more concerned about writing the gadgets and technology whereas Speculative Fiction is based inh a more realistic background with philosophical elements in it.
That is the differences I see from Spec F and Sci F.
I hope that helps.
Where are all of you?
Jean, Daniel, wake up!
I'll be away this weekend but I'll bring my laptop expecting fascinating discussion with you.
I'm awake, Grace. I come here ever now and then but I am not ready to write any answer yet. As you know, I have another assignment to hand in next week, also for Paul but not this paper. It's all about my poor time management anyway :'(
I haven't read both your comments and Pear jin's but I'll surely come back and read them. Pear jin's comments, as I briefly skimmed through, seem to be of some help for you.
Have a nice weekend, both Grace and Pear jin!
Thank you for the your reply Apple Jean. It is true that You initiate me into the study of SF genre. Anyway,I feel that the storyline of 'The Man in the High Castle' is hard to find main plot but it can be the main story as you mentioned':it deals with the distinction between fake and real and also how much our perception as well as preconceived notions determine our reality.'Then the writer tells us through this novel the idea of truth are not possible to establish in reality, and also our supposition or speculation of authenticity probably create another faked real world. Such an idea often shows in his other works(I hope I shall Arrive Soon)
"Reality is that which,when you stop beliving in it, doesn't go away."
Now,I could reveal the obscure image of this novel.
Thank you again.
Dear Grace:
yeah, I think TMITHC's concept is kind of similiar to Matrix.
The real world that Neo think he is living in is actually the fake world. (haha, oversimplified statement, but I'm sure you know what it means, if you'd seen the film.)
Well, it just makes you question the reality, that's all.
Have a great weeekend. ^^
Jean:
I am doing New Lit as well, I've got 4 assignments due in week 8.
*freaks out*
Gambateh!
Pear jin:
wow, 4 assignments!
I've new literature essay, language in society test, and icommunicate powerpoint slides for next week. Can't hope for week 8 to pass and then I'll enjoooooy the hoilday
gambaru :'(
Hi Grace, my answer to Q3 is similar with you. Brown (2001) identifies four central themes and concerns of Dick’s novel:
1. At first glance, Dick’s early novels conformed to type: he used the popular leitmotifs of SF – alien worlds, precognition, ray-guns – but employed them to his own agenda. (p. vi)
2. Again and again in his work, we find reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is a hoax, a shadow-play conceived by malign forces. (p.vii)
3. Another of his concerns was what constitutes a true human being, as opposed to a fake (p.vii)
4. As Grace finds Dick’s art reflected his life – and it was an eventful, troubled and chaotic life. (p.vii)
I am trying to answer what role I Ching has as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle according to Mountfort (2006)
Dick endorsed both the narratological and oracular functions of the I Ching.
There are ten oracle consultations outlined within the covers of High Castle: replies that Dick received from the I Ching when he posed it questions at various critical junctures in the novel regarding the situations his characters faced: how they should interpret evens, what they should do next, and what the result would be. (p.5)
These ten consultations also illuminate the subterranean fate-lines that connect characters who never meet but whose decisions and actions effect each other in concrete ways. (p.5)
Thus Dick employs a meta-fictional device to comment self-reflexively – and perhaps pre-emptively; he has constructed a story using the oracle to effects ‘a semiotic sequence’, or a novel narrative out of the universal situations the oracle codifies. (p.8)
Interesting, the main drive that Dick wrote High Castle is from I Ching too. He wrote:’ I speak from experience. The Oracle – the I Ching – told me to write this piece.’ Dick sensed the dangers of this abnegation of the will to an impersonal force, but was, in his own words, ‘hooked’. (p.4) Juliana demand that they consult the I Ching there and then to ask why it wrote Grasshopper, meanwhile, in the ‘real world’ Dick is simultaneously demanding the same question of the I Ching in relation to his novel. The oracle’s response: ‘It’s Chung Fu” – Inner Truth. (p.8)
Hello! Guys, Sorry. I just finish my Japanese test. So it’s late for me to post my comment to the blog in week 7. Now I would like to answer the Question 3. I definitely agree with Grace and AW’s opinions. I haven’t got any new ideas about these two questions. I only want to do my contribution after I finish reading in our course book.
Question 3
Firstly, according to Brown (2001),” At first glance, Dick’s early novels conformed to type: he used the popular leitmotifs of SF- alien worlds, precognition, and ray –guns- but employed them to his own agenda (Brown, 2001). So that Dick’s early novels contain these obvious contents, including alien worlds, precognition, and ray –guns.
Secondly, Brown (2001) also states that again and again in his work, we find that reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is a hoax, a shadow-play conceived by malign forces ( Brown, 2001). Dick made the reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is hoax in his SF.
Thirdly, Brown (2001) states that in Dick’s novels, he was populating his novel with a repertoire of fully- realized characters whom comes from real life, composites of people he knew and versions of himself (Brown, 2001). In Dick
SF, some main characters all comes from the real life. Dick would choose some people whose characteristic is similar to him. Or Dick has already familiar with these people.
Finally, Brown (2001) states that “Another of his concerns was what constitutes a true human being, as opposed to a fake- a question he explored in the novel Do Androrids Dream of Electric Sheep (1968), among others.” And Brown also concerns that “especially within the SF field, few writers drew so readily upon the events of their own lives. To a great degree, his art reflected his life- and it was an eventful, troubled and chaotic life”. (Brown, 2001).
Hi! Guys, I would like to try to answer the question 7 now. Could you guys please give me some suggestions? Or we can discuss it together?
Dick (1995) states that “Since it works on the basis of synchronicity- and is a device by which synchronicity can be handled. May be you prefer the word”coincidence” to Pauli’s word (Dick, 1995). Based on my own experience, Asian people are only interested in I-Ching. However, westerners also interested in some important points such as “synchronicity” or” coincidence” are not usual. For example, Dick (1995) states that “Anybody can get into this state now, not just the schizophrenic (Dick, 1995).And they also think that I-Ching could predict something for them.
And also according to Dick (1995) “For a schizophrenic, any method by which synchronicity can be coped with means possible survival; for us, it would be a great assist in the job of temporarily surviving….. If people are totally schizophrenic now, by all means use the I Ching for everything, including telling you when to take a bath and when you open a can of cat tuna. If people are partially schizophrenic, then use it for some situations-but sparingly; If people are not schizophrenic at all and kindly use the book a very measured little- in controlled doses, along the lines of your wise “ ( Dick, 1995). Therefore, I-Ching does influence the people’s life. Some people believe that I-Ching could give a completely right direct for their life. Conversely, the other group of people just thinks that I-Ching is just a prediction for their future. It won’t be one hundred percent correct.
1. What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction?
I strongly agree with Pearjin’s idea: The difference between Speculative fiction and Science Fiction is that Sci-Fi is more focussed on techonology and gadgets whereas Speculative Fiction is based on more realistic background with philiosophical elements in it.
Hi Pearjin, nice to see you comments in our group :)
Jean,
Sorry about I told you, I saw the film “the man in the high castle”. It’s a different film named “the last castle” (really good, strongly recommend you guys to have a look).
Q5) According to Mountfort, Dick used I Ching to help him plot the story, in which way it should go, what the result should be as he states that “when he posed it question at various critical junctures in the novel regarding the situations hsi characters faced, how they should interpret events, what they should do next, and what the result would be" (Mountfort 2000, p.5)
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