Science Fiction

Term Paper # 105192

Literature

Science Fiction

An analysis of the three different eras of science fiction.

1,004 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how setting in science fiction is a key element, as it is in all fiction, though the way it is used and the emphasis given to it among the various elements of fiction may differ. In particular, the paper discusses how, in his anthology "Masterpieces", Orson Scott Card divides science fiction somewhat arbitrarily into three categories according to era ("The Golden Age," "The New Wave," and "The Media Generation"). The paper then examines the style and settings of each of these eras with reference to different novels.

From the Paper:

"Setting is important in the structure of the novel Count Zero by William Gibson. The setting is the future, but it is not a distant future. It is rather a projection of the present into what Gibson sees as the next logical step as the use of the computer makes the cyberspace that Gibson named in an earlier book into a parallel reality set alongside the "real" world in which we live. Both worlds have evolved in the direction of increasing corporate control accompanied by further surrender of individuality and autonomy on the part of the human inhabitants of the planet. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Asimov, Isaac. "Robot Dreams." In Masterpieces, Orson Scott Card (ed.), 91-96. New York: Ace Books, 2001.
Cherryh, C.J. "Pots." In Masterpieces, Orson Scott Card (ed.), 327-350. New York: Ace Books, 2001.
Crowley, John. "Snow." In Masterpieces, Orson Scott Card (ed.), 351-363. New York: Ace Books, 2001.
Gibson, William. Count Zero. New York: Arbour House, 1986.
Gibson, William and Michael Swanwick. "Dogfight." In Masterpieces, Orson Scott Card (ed.), 297-315. New York: Ace Books, 2001.