Nisha Kishore: "The Confusing and Uncertain vs. The Clear and Inevitable"

The Confusing and Uncertain vs. The Clear and Inevitable

By: Nisha Kishore

Jazz, hip hop, classical, and the blues. All are music, yet they are fundamentally different. Each has its own set of conventions and thus produces a unique effect on the listener. Likewise, science fiction and fantasy are both genres of speculative fiction; however, the reader must approach these two genres in different ways because of the difference in world building and the predictability of the plot. Based on the novels we’ve read in class, I think Philip Martin accurately captures the voices of science fiction and fantasy in his essay “Fantasy and Belief” ("Fantasy and Belief"): “There is a reason, says science fiction. We believe, says fantasy.” While the worlds in which science fiction stories take place have unfamiliar rules in a somewhat familiar world and the plot is fairly unpredictable, fantasy stories are written in entirely new worlds and the plot is quite obvious. Both genres produce a distinct effect on the reader because of these differences. 

            Because of the differences in world building, the reader is forced to approach these genres differently. According to Philip Martin, “The worlds of science fiction are based on some extrapolated aspect of actual laws of the universe we live in.” In other words, science fiction stories take something we are familiar with and distort it in some way. Therefore, the reader constantly wonders why these changes are the way they are. While sometimes these questions can be answered, many of them can’t. For instance, as I was reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, I was constantly asking myself questions about the world such as, “Why does Mercerism exist?” and “Why are animals so important?” Even though some of these questions were answered as I kept reading, many of them weren’t. For instance, I never completely understood why Mercerism existed and how it affected citizens. This lack of understanding left me feeling confused and frustrated throughout most of the book and I was consequently unable to enjoy it. 

On the other hand, fantasy stories take place in an entirely unfamiliar world. The status quo is made up by the author with little or no explanation. As Philip Martin put it, “Where an explanation would be required in science fiction, fantasy says: ‘Because it did.’” Since the reader can’t understand how this unfamiliar world operates, there is no need to ask questions about abnormalities. For instance, as I was reading The Last Unicorn, several odd, unexplained events happened, such as how the Molly, Schmendrick, and the unicorn traveled to Hagsgate. However, I did not inquire about these oddities because I accepted things as they were. Since I wasn’t constantly trying to figure out how the world worked, I was able to really enjoy this book. 

            Another distinction between these genres is the predictability of the plot. In science fiction stories, the reader never knows what will happen next. It seemed to me that the more I read Lord of Light, the less I was able to predict what would happen next. For instance, I never would have predicted that Kali would become Brahma. This uncertainty left me feeling confused and unable to understand everything that was going on. On the other hand, fantasy stories are more predictable because their plots mostly follow the hero’s journey as outlined by Joseph Campbell. As I read The Last Unicorn, I could easily identify the protagonist, the quest, and the trials. This inevitability gave me the assurance that the story would have a pleasant ending and helped me comprehend the text better.

            It is important to understand these fundamental differences between science fiction and fantasy because they produce a contrasting effect on the reader. While science fiction stories force the reader to ask questions and invoke uncertainty, fantasy stories allow the reader to simply enjoy the story with the assurance of a happy ending. Understanding these effects allows you to choose the genre better suited for you. If you want a book that requires you to question reality, and you enjoy not understanding everything about a book, then go with science fiction. If you want something that you can sit back and enjoy and gives you a good feeling at the end, then fantasy’s your best bet. Either way, both offer escape from reality and an exhilarating journey.