Barry 2010

 science fiction: a type of writing that deals with the impact of science on society or individuals  Science fiction is most often set in the future.  Often, the science or technology in science fiction novels is imaginary.

 Science fiction is a prominent part of our popular culture.  Some recent sci-fi movies are Ironman, The Book of Eli, I Am Legend, and Transformers.  Let’s look at an example of a cartoon and a movie that could be called science fiction.

 utopia: a place of ideal perfection especially in laws and society  The word is derived from the Greek ou for “not” and topos for “place,” meaning that no place like Utopia exists.  Invented in 1516, when Sir Thomas More published his book Utopia about an ideal country.

 Sir Thomas More was a scholar and fervently religious Catholic during the reign of King Henry VIII. He opposed Martin Luther’s Reformation and he is recognized as a Catholic Saint.  In Thomas More’s book, Utopia is an island where people are tolerant, everyone works hard, and there is no crime or evil.

 Since the book in 1516, the phrase has come to refer to any ideal place.  The idea of establishing Utopia has actually been attempted by many groups of people.

 dystopia: also called anti- utopia, an imaginary place where life is extremely bad  In most dystopias, the principles upon which society is based are flawed or even evil.  Dystopias give us a view of what could happen if society went astray.

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian, science fiction novel.

 simile: a kind of figurative language that compares two unlike things and usually begins with “like” or “as”  Similes add meaning as well as beauty to writing. They often create a more complete picture for the reader.  Object 1 is “like” or “as” Object 2

 “In the eastern sky there was a yellow patch like a rug laid for the feet of the coming sun.” The Red Badge Of Courage by Stephen Crane  “All sorts of pleasant things happened about that time, for the new friendship flourished like grass in spring.” Little Women by Louisa May Alcott  “The wood duck flew away. I caught only a glimpse of something like a bright torpedo that blasted the leaves where it flew.” Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

 metaphor: a kind of figurative language in which a word or idea is used in a sense outside its literal meaning to compare two unlike things  Simply put, metaphors make comparisons without using “like” or “as.”  Object 1 is Object 2

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. “Dreams” by Langston Hughes

 This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare  A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Martin Luther