What is Science Fiction? “Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today -- but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.” ~Isaac Asimov "There's no real objection to escapism, in the right places... We all want to escape occasionally. But science fiction is often very far from escapism, in fact you might say that science fiction is escape into reality... It's a fiction which does concern itself with real issues: the origin of man; our future. In fact I can't think of any form of literature which is more concerned with real issues, reality." ~Arthur C. Clarke

What is setting? setting (set-ting): the time, place, physical details, and circumstances in which a situation occurs. Settings include the background, atmosphere or environment in which characters live and move, and usually include physical characteristics of the surroundings.

Setting in The Matrix (1999) The Construct

Setting in 1984 (1949) “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” Please refer to your handout for other quotes related to the setting of the novel.

Grad-Class Activity Take a few minutes to think of your personal dystopian Science Fiction setting. Remember the quotes: it doesn’t have to be related to science. Discuss as a class aspects of our settings: TIME, PLACE, CIRCUMSTANCE, BACKGROUND, and ATMOSPHERE

Tenth Grade Class Activity  After viewing the film The Matrix and reading George Orwell’s novel 1984, analyze and compare the descriptions and role of setting in each medium. Remember how those settings represented the ideas of the near-future for their respective time periods (1949 and 1999).  In groups of no more than 4 students, come up with a dystopian Science Fiction near-future setting that represents your fears and understanding of the world we live in.  Create a representation of that setting that depicts your group’s ideas.  Possibilities for projects include, but are not limited to,  Movie Posters (using Web 2.0 tools such as Glogster OR cardboard and photographs and drawings  Recording a song with lyrics  Book Cover (using SEE ABOVE) with synopsis of novel  An essay or short story utilizing your setting  A diorama or model of your setting  A short play you act out depicting your setting PLEASE USE ANY RESOURCES OR RESEARCH TO EXPLAIN YOUR REPRESENTATION

Pennsylvania SAS C: Analyze the use and effectiveness of literary elements (characterization, setting, plot, theme, point of view, tone, mood, foreshadowing and style) used by authors in a variety of genres. R11.A.1.3: Make inferences, draw conclusions, and make generalizations based on text. R11.B.1.1: Interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and evaluate components of fiction and literary nonfiction B: Conduct inquiry and research on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems using information from a variety of sources; document sources using a consistent format for citations A: Write poems, short stories, and plays. Apply various organizational methods. Write with an awareness of tone, mood, and elements of style. Include literary elements and devices.

References All American: Glossary of Literary Terms. Retrieved from Orwell, G. (1949) London: Plume, Penguin Group. Pennsylvania Department of Education. (n.d.) Academic standards for reading, writing, speaking and listening. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from Scifi& Fantasy Quotes. Retrieved from Wachoski, A., Wachoski, L. & Berman, B. (1999). The Matrix. United States: Warner Brothers Studio.