Science Fiction Vs. Fantasy
No matter how indistinct the boundary between science fiction and fantasy, there are clearly and certainly described areas on each side. It’s easy to see the distinctions for only dedicated readers or sci-fi and fantasy fans because in many works of art and literature, such as movies and books (especially in Ursula Le Guin writings), these two concepts have been mixed up and it is difficult (and also absurd) to say that which one is “pure fantasy” or “pure sci-fi”.
Being a sci-fi fan for a long time, I’m going to explain the obvious distinctions between these concepts:
First of all, some creatures like huge monsters, freaks, gnomes and fiery flying dragons aren’t the objects of science because they are the imaginations of human mind and not real. Also, some high-tech materials such as laser guns, light sabers, huge skyscrapers and high-skilled interactive computers can’t be elements of fantasy. Magic and witchcraft can’t be associated with science either.
Despite these contrasts above, there are many similarities between them. In science fiction, men are transmitted from one place to another or jump from one time to another by using technological devices like transmitter pods or gateways. But in fantasy fictions, they are transferred by using magic and the high-tech, skillful and omniscient computers or robots are switched to sorcerers and wizards.
In conclusion, fantasy literature is the imaginations of people which can’t be related to reality or can be never actualized. But science themes are the dreams of people which will be able to become true and can fulfill their wishes in the future.
Please login to view the full essay...