The Man in the High Castle

What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction? Which is The Man in the High Castle?

What is science fiction? Science fiction or also known as Sci-Fi or SF is a genre of fiction and is defined as an idea based on the imaginative future of scientific or technological development and normally portrays the concept of time travel, space travel, parallel universes and alien life.

What is speculative fiction? Speculative fiction is described as an inclusive genre which itself can adapt into subgenres including fantasy, horror and science fiction. Neugebauer (2014) suggested that speculative fiction is a fiction in which the author wondered upon changing something that is real or possible. Speculative fiction is more artistic than science fiction in terms of literacy sophistication, greater psychological depth and having a high social awareness to the genre. (Brown, 2001). Brown (2001) also suggested that pure science fiction is more about the world of science and technology, making modern technology more imaginable whereas for speculative fiction, it introduces the ‘What if’ concept to readers or viewers.

Eric Brown (2001) pointed out that Philip K. Dick was a prominent science fiction writer and his work was muchly appreciated during his life time. The novel written by Philip K. Dick, The Man in The High Castle, was one of his best-selling novels. The Man in The High Castle has integrated some scientific and technological imagination in the future world, it brings the readers or viewers to another world and it is set based on the real history of World War II. Brown (2001) also noted that: “Dick suggests that the world presented in The Man in The High Castle is but an illusion, that other, better worlds might exist”. The Man in The High Castle had some imaginary thoughts of the author mixed in it as well as the psychological depth and sophistication in literacy. I think that The Man in The High Castle is arguable to be categorised under the both science fiction and speculative fiction category.

Reference:

Neugebauer, A. (2014). What Is Speculative Fiction? | Annie Neugebauer. Retrieved 1 October 2015, from http://annieneugebauer.com/2014/03/24/what-is-speculative-fiction/

Brown, E (2001). Introduction in Dick, P.K. The Man in the High Castle. (p.v-xii). London: Penguin