Weeks 7 and 8
Science fiction - PKD
1) What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science
fiction and speculative fiction? Which is The Man in the High Castle?
2) According to
Mountfort (2006), what role does the I Ching have as an
organisational device in the structure of Man in the High Castle?
How does the use of this device illuminate the character of the novel’s
protagonists?
3What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes
and concerns of the novel? What elements conform to the wider generic features
of science fiction?
4) What does Dick(1995) himself theorise about the I Ching?
What does dick (1995) theorise about the I Ching?
ReplyDeleteThe I Ching is defined as an ancient Chinese manual of divination based on eight symbolic trigrams and sixty-four hexagrams. The interpretation of it being based on the principles of yin and yang which is the theory is that all things exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites. It has been used and been a vital part of composing music by musicians and aiding scientists in their studies. Phillip K Dick not only used the I Ching to aid him in the developing and the writing of the novel “The Man in The High Castle” but the I Ching is a key feature that is actually used by the characters throughout the book as well. Dick states that the I Ching got him through most of the writing of the novel. Each time a character would cast a hexagram in the novel, he would cast a hexagram in real life and let the character proceed on the basis of the advice given to him. However, when it came to resolve the novel at the end, the I Ching didn’t know what to do, he blames this for the way it ends claiming there’s no real ending to it so regards it as opened ended, perhaps so as a sequel can be an option.
Much of what Dick theorised about the I Ching was closely related to a long term mental disorder known as schizophrenia. He believed that the I Ching was a key component which assisted him and could for others who suffer, in temporarily surviving within the ever-changing society. For a schizophrenic the synchronicity of the process of the I Ching is a good coping mechanism. He felt it is a device by which synchronicity can be handled. Dick was called crazy by some, and maybe he was yet his theories on the I Ching seem to make sense and are logical. The severity of the schizophrenia can relate to how much you can, should, or would rely on the I Ching. The worse the case the more often you would draw a hexagon. However, Dick doesn’t necessarily agree with the idea of it and what the I Ching advises. He states “But we can't live by the damn book, because to try to would be to surrender ourselves to static time” (Dick, 1995)
Another belief Dick had of the Oracle the I Ching was that it can be used for almost anything, the one exception being fortune telling. The book will never be able to predict the future however it could make predictions and analytical assumptions, he says. Some people have believed that the I Ching can in fact foresee the future however Dick theorises that this is not possible, yet if used often enough it can shape you as a person. What’s interesting is that Dick became to have a very strong opinion toward the I Ching in a very, very negative way including going as far in an interview to say that “The I Ching told more lie`s than anyone I’ve ever known” he goes on to claim its devious and a hoax. Whether he had a bad experience with the oracle, or perhaps he was just slightly crazy we will never know.
I do however find it hard to believe that such a thing could give advice on life and important, crucial decisions that need to be made. Though I’m sure everyone has their own opinions and beliefs along with ways that they can feel calm and trusting.
References:
The Mainstream That Through the Ghetto Flows (n.d). Retrieved September 23, 2016, from
http://www.philipkdickfans.com/mirror/websites/pkdweb/The%20Mainstream%20that%20through%20the%20ghetto%20flows.htm
Dick, P.K. (1995). Schizophrenia and the I Ching. In Sutin, L. (Ed.), The Shifting Realities of
Philip K. Dick (pp.175-182). New York: Vintage
Some quotes needed here for this otherwise excellent answer. eg: 'Dick states that the I Ching got him through most of the writing of the novel. (quote, page ref etc. Further down you quote Dick but don't give the reference for it.
DeleteOkay cool ! Will be sure to reference in my next post. Thanks
DeleteWhat is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction?
ReplyDeleteScience Fiction is a genre of Speculative Fiction. Science Fiction generally follows concepts related to the future. These can range from futuristic science, time and space travel, technology, parallel universes and extra-terrestrial life. Speculative Fiction is determined as a large category which encompasses other genres such as Science Fiction, horror and magic realism. Speculative Fiction is narrative fiction that is purely created from the imagination rather than reality. This includes the setting and characters.
Which is the Man in the High Castle?
The Man in the High Castle falls under Science Fiction as a genre. This is because the novel has elements of parallel universes or alternative realities. The book is based after World War II (WWII) and shows the Axis Powers winning the war, the second reality shows the Allies winning but a Cold War ensuing between the USA and the UK. However, under the Speculative Fiction category there is a genre called alternative history. This could also apply strongly to The Man in the High Castle. Due to there being two versions of ‘alternative history’ in this piece leads me more towards Science Fiction.
You've got the idea, but there is no evidence of research here, just your own ideas. these will only take you so far.
DeleteThis was really interesting for me to read as I never known any information regarding speculative fiction. Your answer shows you have quite a bit of knowledge towards the topic which is really cool. Nice answer.
Delete1) What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction? Which is The Man in the High Castle?
ReplyDeleteFirstly, science fiction is "a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc." (Dictionary.com, n.d) This means that science fiction can range into many different paths of topics; for instance, there is futuristic science and technology, space transportation and time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life. According to Gunn, "science fiction involves matters whose importance is greater than the individual or the community; often civilization or the race itself is in danger", (2005, p.6) thus it also explores beyond human existence and offers insight into a possibly real and factual realm that is only considered fiction in the human world. It surrounds the idea of believing in the possibility of the impossible and expands on unconventional ideologies that would be considered taboo and unrealistic. Nevertheless, speculative fiction is "a broad literary genre encompassing any fiction with supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements". (Dictionary.com, n.d) It is more vast than Science fiction seeing as that is a branch of speculative fiction and expands on existential matters such as 'what if' or simply 'speculating' how far one can explore the universe's infinite possibilities and apply it to a story.
Referring to the novel 'The Man in the High Castle' would most likely apply more towards science fiction seeing as the novel has a parallel history of events that differ to modern day, factual history. According to Brown, the Man in the High Castle "grants us an insight into the minds of real, fully developed characters molded by circumstance; like all SF, it gives us what a if glimpse of another world, a reality we are invited to compare with our own". (2001, p.12) Thus saying that the different realities explored in the novel (i.e an alternate look at history if the Allies had lost WWII and Japan and Germany took over the U.S) gives the reader the chance to imagine a foreseeable possibility of their universe.
Reference:
Brown, E. (2001). Introduction. In Dick, P.K, The Man in the High Castle (p.12). London: Penguin.
Dictionary.com Unabridged. (n.d.). science fiction. Retrieved October 5, 2016 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/science-fiction
Dictionary.com Unabridged. (n.d.). speculative fiction. Retrieved October 5, 2016 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/science-fiction
Gunn, J. & Candelaria, M. (2005). Speculations on speculation. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press.
The development of science friction really started from the 18th century, around the time of the industrial movement, the social order and reasoning of began shifting from religion, gods, and mythology to science. People began to write about the possibilities of scientific discovery. British writer and critic, Brian W. Aldiss and many experts argue that science fiction was born from Merry Shelly’s Frankenstein (1818) because it took out the supernatural aspect from the gothic horror and introduced science instead.
ReplyDeleteJules Verne, was another person in 19th century who was great influence to the science fiction genre. Jules is known for his successful science fiction/ adventure novels like "voyages extraordinaires", although at the time the science fiction was not labeled as such, but his books popularity helped found the science fiction genre. Many writer fallowed Shelly’s and Verne’s example and now science fiction has become one of the most popular genres the world.
"Speculative fiction is fiction in which the author speculates upon the results of changing what’s real or possible". The term ‘speculative fiction’ was coined in by Robert A. Heinlein, a popular and writer of science fiction that relied on the scientific accuracy of the problems and solutions included in his work. In his 1948 essay, he replaces the word science fiction with speculative fiction. The term became then became popular and everyone interpreted it as being an umbrella term that covered everything from science fiction and fantasy to magical realism. This meant that every novel that was not really devoted to "realism" could be called speculative fiction. there is a popular opinion that writers who don't want to be associated with sci-fi genre call their work speculative fiction.
Man in the High Castle fits in more with science fiction because it fallows a scientific process. It engages with its subject material in an intelligent way, it shows consistency throughout the story, the story answers questions with more questions and left its ending for open exploration.
Man in the High Castle and The Flexibility of the Science Fiction Genre. (2015). Sequart Organization. Retrieved 21 October 2016, from http://sequart.org/magazine/61770/man-in-the-high-castle-and-the-flexibility-of-the-science-fiction-genre/
Tymn, M. (1985). Science Fiction: A Brief History and Review of Criticism (1st ed., pp. 41-66). American Studies International. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41278745?origin=JSTOR-pdf
What Is Speculative Fiction? | Annie Neugebauer. (2016). Annieneugebauer.com. Retrieved 28 October 2016, from http://annieneugebauer.com/2014/03/24/what-is-speculative-fiction/