SCIENCE FICTION A genre of possibilities

SCI-FI  Science fiction  A genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more of less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities. Exploring the consequences of scientific innovations is one purpose of science fiction, making it a “literature of ideas”.  Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possible worlds or futures. It is similar to, but differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, science fiction’s imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established laws of nature. Some elements of a story might still be purely imaginative.

SCI-FI  Setting:  The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality, but most science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief

ELEMENTS:  Time setting in the future, alternative timelines  A spatial setting or scenes in outer space, other worlds, or subterranean earth.  Characters that include aliens, mutants, androids, or humanoid robots.  Technology that is futuristic (ray guns, teleportation machines, humanoid computers)  Scientific principles that are new or that contradict known laws of nature (time travel, wormholes, or faster-than-light travel)  New and different political or social systems (dystopia, post scarcity, post- apocalyptic situation where organized society has collapsed)  Paranormal abilities such as mind control, telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation.

DEFINITIONS  Dystopia: A very unpleasant, imaginary world in which ominous tendencies of our present social, political, and technological order are projected into a disastrous future culmination.  Microcosm: miniature world

DEFINITIONS  Post-Scarcity: a hypothetical form of economy or society in which goods, services and information are free, or practically free. This would require an abundance of fundamental resources (matter, energy, intelligence), in conjunction with sophisticated automated systems capable of converting raw materials into finished goods.  Post-Apocalyptic: The end of human civilization due to potentially existential catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, extraterrestrial attack, etc. Post-Apocalyptic fiction is set in a world or civilization after such a disaster.

THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS  Read the story and underline anything that could be an element of science fiction in the story.   Written Responses:  1. In an extended answer with at least two quotes from the story explain if “There Will Come Soft Rains” is a science fiction story.   2. In a short answer with at least two quotes explain how “There Will Come Soft Rain” is both an example of a microcosm and a dystopia. 

THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS  3. In a short answer with at least two quotes identify the protagonist/antagonist of the story and clearly identify the central conflict of the story.   4. In a short answer explain how the poem in the story is ironic.

THE PEDESTRIAN  In an extended answer with at least two quotes from the story explain how Mr. Leonard Mead is “alone in this world of 2053 A.D.” (Bradbury, 1).  Using at least 2 quotes, explain the type of society in “The Pedestrian.”  Using at least 1 quote, describe the character of Mr. Leonard Mead.  Using at least 2 examples in an extended answer, explain if “The Pedestrian” is an example of Science Fiction.