Ema Mihaere - Fantasy

How is science fiction different from fantasy, according to Le Guin

Le Guin (2005) relates science fiction to realism fiction. Where realism takes situations such as actual historical events or time period and inserts fictional characters, science fiction does something similar. Science fiction is a sub-genre to realism (Le Guin, 2005).  Science fiction recreates the past or the present as they imagine the future to be. As we cannot see the future and what it is like, writers are able to establish a new world. The writer can also create these futuristic worlds based on existing trends, tying in aspects of realism. Typically science fiction is not set in the present time unless it is used for humour.  If science fiction is based in the modern world it will contradict reality and would not be taken seriously (Le Guin, 2005). Science fiction is reliant on plausibility in order to gain the reader’s attention.

In comparison Le Guin (2005) describes fantasy as a close equivalent to myths. Fantasy uses more aspects of fiction than science fiction and realism. It does not need to base its story about or around facts in order to appeal to its audience. Fantasy only uses a small amount of reality if there is too much fiction for reader to absorb. Le Guin (2005) states that characters in fantasy tend to stay true to typical human behaviour but may not be human.  In order for fantasy to be believable it needs to be consistent whereas science fiction cannot divert too far away from realism. Fantasy has more freedom as long as it does not contradict itself and overpowers the audience.

Reference:

Le Guin, Ursula K. (2005)  Plausibility Revisited What Happened and What Didn't. Retrieved from  http://www.ursulakleguin.com/PlausibilityRevisited.html