Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Moral Science Fiction?
One of the things that I noticed about this week's readings is that while most of the stories were highly enjoyable, they also seemed to convey messages or lessons from the author to the reader, some clearly delivering a moral, and others merely suggesting it. I don't really mind this, but it's kind of odd that so many of them involved a moral when most of the science fiction books I read on my own seemed aimed more at pure entertainment for the reader. Weep for Day and Holmes Sherlock contain messages on tolerance, Nightfall on the Peak of Eternal Light is about the nature of family and second chances, and the Stars Do Not Lie talks about faith and science. Ted Chiang and Cory Doctorow also had a sort of moral in their works, so now I'm wondering whether it's just pure coincidence that Chiang, Doctorow, and now so many of these other authors include a message, or if it's maybe considered a hallmark of a great science fiction writer since I think most of the authors we've read so far won awards for their work. Any thoughts?
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I think it's a hallmark of any great work of literature, science fiction or not. The genre of science fiction just lends itself to the writer as a different canvas on which to paint the message.
ReplyDeleteI agree that is a hallmark of great works of literature but also agree that it is odd. Science fiction (to me) is not traditionally thought to have morals and lessons incorporated into the story. However, Chiang's references to determinism, Doctorow's advocacy of challenging authority and the messages in this weeks readings seem to set a trend for good works in science fiction. Many people can write an interesting story about aliens and space travel but great writers entertain the reader while also conveying a lesson or message.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's necessary to have a moral or message to qualify as great literature. Chiang's works had many messages, but some of them didn't appear to have a distinct message at all (Babylon comes to mind). Many great works will make a reader think and come up with a message, but I don't think it's necessary at all.
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ReplyDeleteI don't know that it's necessary for works of literature to have a moral per se, but I do think that most have a general message they want to communicate to the reader. I can't think of a single book or story that was told "purely for entertainment" and had no central message whatsoever. I do think it's strange that many of the stories we've looked at in class have had a decidedly moral (in terms of faith or religion) lesson to be learned, especially since science is usually touted as the opposite of religion.
ReplyDeleteI think any form of literature has a moral message the author is trying to convey to his/her audience. Some of the messages are more clear than others and some are open to interpretation, but I do not think science fiction is written purely for entertainment. Art (literature is a form of art) is created with purpose and meaning and whether it be obvious or not I do think there is always a moral message or deeper meaning behind each story.
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