Science fiction literature deals with the impact of science on society or individuals, popularized in the 1920s. It provides mental pictures of possible futures based on scientific principles, portraying worlds where technology substitutes for magic. Fantasy fiction relies on strangeness like other worlds and supernatural beings. It includes genres like heroic fantasies involving quests between good and evil, alternative world journeys, mysteries with supernatural solutions, and modern folktales. The difference between sci-fi and fantasy is that sci-fi predicts technological developments while fantasy uses supernatural elements not linked to our world.

1. Sci-fi and Fantasy Literature

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◆ Name:- Aamena Rangwala
◆ Roll no:-1
◆ Enrollment no:-4069206420210028
◆ Subject:-History of 20th Cen Literature: 1900 to 2000
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◆ Batch:- (2021-23) M.A Sem 2
◆ Submitted to:-Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

3. Science fiction literature
◆ This reference is taken from Britannica.Com.
◆ Science fiction is a form of fiction that deals principally with the impact of
actual or imagined science upon society or individuals.
◆ The term science fiction was popularized, if not invented, in the 1920s by
one of the genre’s principal advocates, the American publisher Hugo
Gernsback.
◆ The Hugo Awards given annually since 1953 by the World Science Fiction
Society, are named after him. These achievement awards are given to the
top SF writers, editors, illustrators, films.
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◆ Science fiction is a type of imaginative literature. It provides a mental
picture of something that may happen on realistic scientific principles and
facts. This fiction might portray, for instance, a world where young people
are living on Mars. Hence, it is known as “futuristic fiction.” It dramatizes
the wonders of technology, and resembles heroic fantasy where magic is
substituted with technology.
◆ Examples
◆ Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
◆ Rocket Ship Galileo, by Robert Heinlein
◆ The White Mountains, by John Christopher
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5. Fantasy literature
◆ This reference is taken from Britannica.Com.
◆ Fantasy, also spelled phantasy, imaginative fiction dependent for effect
on strangeness of setting (such as other worlds or times) and of
characters (such super natural or unnatural beings).
Examples :-
◆ William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
◆ Jonnathan Swift,Gulliver’s Travels, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
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Characteristics Fantasy
◆ Modern Folk tales
◆ Magical Fantasy
◆ Alternative Worlds & Enchanted Journeys
◆ Heroic Fantasy (High Fantasy)
◆ Mystery and Supernatural Fantasy
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Heroic Fantasy (High Fantasy)
◆ These fantasies involve adventures with a search, quest, and motif. While this quest
could be a pursuit for a higher purpose, like justice and love, or for getting a reward
like hidden treasure, or a magical power; the conflict of heroic fantasies focuses on
struggle between evil and good. The protagonist struggles with internal weakness
and temptations.
◆ Examples
The Lord of the Rings trilogy / Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien The Hero and the Crown, by
Robin Mc Kinley The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander.
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Alternative Worlds & Enchanted Journeys
◆ In these fantasies, you see leading character undertaking a journey to an
alternative world, or a fantasy world. Though realistic tales also employ
journeys, you would only see magical things happen in fantasy journeys.
Examples
Alice Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone, by K. Rowling Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift.
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◆ Mystery and Supernatural Fantasy
One of the most common forms of supernatural fantasy is known as a
“ghost story.” Ghosts could be either helpful protectors, or fearsome
adversaries. However, in a mystery, the solution is always a supernatural one,
or through supernatural assistance such as witchcraft.
Example
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving
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◆ Modern Folktales
Modern folktales are types of fantasy that narrators tell in a traditional tale
accompanying some typical elements, such as strong conflict, little description
of characters, fast-moving plot with a quick resolution, and sometimes magical
elements and vague settings. However, these tales are popular, as authors
throughout history have written them. Hans Christian Andersen has written
several fairly tales.
Examples
The Nightingale
The Emperor’s New Clothes
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11. Difference between Sci-fi and Fantasy
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◆ Fantasy, on the other hand, uses supernatural
elements that have no link to our
contemporary world.
◆ Fantasy stories are traditionally set in worlds
populated by mythical creatures and
supernatural events.
◆ Fantasy can be divided into horror fiction,
mystery fiction, super hero fiction.
◆ A science fiction story generally to predict
elements of the modern world and
attempts to predict how they could
possibly develop.
◆ Science fiction stories often take place in
a dystopian, hyper-technological future.
◆ Science fiction can be divided into hard
science fiction, cyber punk, time travel,
alternate history, military science fiction,
super human .

12. Citation
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◆ Sterling, Bruce. "science fiction". Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Apr. 2022,
https://www.britannica.com/art/science-fiction. Accessed 15 April 2022.
◆ Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "fantasy". Encyclopedia
Britannica, 30 Apr. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/art/fantasy-narrative-
genre. Accessed 15 April 2022.
◆ Aquino, John. Files.eric.ed.gov. National Education Association
Washington D.C, files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED144097.pdf.

13. Thank You