Hsing-Duan Louh: "Two Different Homes"

Two Different Homes

by 

Hsing-Duan Louh

 

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            Whether it’s a child whining for a bedtime story or an adult worn from hours of labor, Fantasy and Science Fiction (SF) create imaginary worlds that serve as sanctuaries for imaginative minds to explore without repercussion. As David Hartwell once explained, the “golden age” of SF is twelve, and children are exposed to Fantasy often at even younger ages. The reason that younger reader show more appreciation for these genres is obvious; Fantasy and SF require the unrequited faith of younger readers that the cynical grownups lack. 

Similar in their awesome supernatural phenomenon and engaging adventures, both genres integrate fascinating elements impossible or currently impossible in the given world. Still, SF requires much more training than Fantasy does since SF readers need to be tried by many readings before they can truly comprehend and appreciate the list of SF jargon. In contrast, the only prerequisite that Fantasy have for the readers is to temporarily leave the constraints of the given world to journey into a new universe spawned from the author’s mind. Although writers from both genres need the faithful readers to quietly believe in the stories they create, SF readers often demand some sort of logical explanation behind what is occurring in the story. Unlike SF works, in “26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss” by Kij Johnson, Aimee never discovered the magical abilities of her disappearing monkeys. Johnson is permitted to do so only in Fantasy since this genre places heavy emphasis on willing accepting the story. Though some complex scientific elements can exist in both genres, ultimately, Fantasy authors asks for an obedient acceptance of the story just as a child would which may be frustrating to SF readers.

Nonetheless, to say Fantasy requires nothing from its audience would be invalid. In order to immerse readers into accepting a conjured world, authors integrates key steps that J. R. R. Tolkien described: Recovery, Escape, and Consolation. By opening a Fantasy book, we commit ourselves on a journey along with the characters. As the adventure unravels, the story prompts us to recover what Philip Martin described as “the lost ability to see the world in wonder.” Ideally, staying in the fantastic realm will provide the time necessary to recuperate so that we can return and see our own world with a new perspective and refreshed attitude. While SF does not contain the three stages of Fantasy literature, it still creates its own sacred realm devoted to entertain our imagination. Despite having similar escapist qualities, SF lacks the need for recovery since its logical background provides the minimal descriptions needed to justify what is occurring in the story. By speculating on the possible futures, there is also an absence of consolation in SF; after all, SF revolves around the conjectures of potential events which is more likely to serve as lessons and warnings for the present rather than as a source of consolation.

The greatest distinction separating Fantasy and SF lies in their differing emphasis on the past and future. Being closely associated with children, Fantasy carries a nostalgic element that SF literature lacks. To children, good and evil appear in easily distinguishable forms as they are still unaware of the deceit and complexity of the human mind; consequently, children are able to invest their faith frequently without hesitation. Fantasy creates a world where the righteous can be readily believed and villainous can be identified for condemnation. Furthermore, the happy endings concluding Fantasy stories symbolize the perpetual optimism and idealistic heart that’s lost as awareness transform children into grownups. SF dispels the desire for simplicity and wonder to be replaced by a driving desire to anticipate the future. The naivety found within Fantasy becomes a burden to SF readers. Relying solely on speculations and expectations for the future, SF promotes in depth analysis and readers are excited by mature decisions in response to ethical dilemmas. Still, Fantasy and SF both conclude each tale with a lesson or reminder for the present world we reside in. 

Fantasy and SF are the two major genres thriving under Speculative Fiction. Despite having met disapproval and even scorn from the public, the wide range of works created are more than enough to keep the fictional addicts occupied. Although both genres have contrasting themes and ideals, Fantasy and SF readers all reside in the same passionate community and will always be kept in company with other, sometimes guilty, but voracious readers.