The Writing Styles Of 2 Prominent British

Science Fiction Authors Essay, Research Paper

The Writing Styles of 2 Prominent British Science Fiction Authors

“Science fiction is one of the more secluded parade grounds where private

fantasy and public event meet. They call it entertainment”. (Aldiss Billion 1)

This quote is interpreted to mean that, in the genre of science fiction there is

a fusion of fantasy and reality. It is this combination of two opposites that

produces the novel categorized today as science fiction. There is one aspect of

science fiction that separates it from any other genre. Science fiction can be

written as fantasy one day, and read as scientific fact the next. Jules Verne

has written about man setting foot on the moon. When read by its original

readers the idea of space travel was not a reality. It is now common knowledge

that man has walked on the moon, and when this novel is read today no longer is

space travel considered to be imaginary. Skillful science fiction novelists

brilliantly blend fantasy with reality, composing a very fine line between the

two perceptions. When reading, one sometimes does not even realize when the

author makes the transition from a plausible concept to a ludicrous one.

Science fiction is a relatively new term. Novels were first categorized this

way towards the close of the 1920’s. This word was first utilized in short

stories that appeared in the pulp magazines, of the era. The phrase “science

fiction” was considered an enhancement of the term scientifiction. However

several British novels were categorized as scientific romances before the 1920’s.

(Aldiss Trillion 27) Before Frankenstein the only forms of science fiction were

“the plays of Aristophanes or some Myrenaean fragment concerning the flight to

the sun on a goose’s back.” (Aldiss Billion 2) In these fantasies there is no

blend of reality and fantasy, it is pure fantasy. There is no one story that

is accepted to be the first science fiction tale. Science fiction as perceived

today originated with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. (Aldiss Trillion 18)

Mary Shelley was the wife of the famous British poet, Percy Bysshe

Shelley and daughter of Mary Wollenstonecraft. She was born in 1797 and her

mother died soon after birth. Mary Wollenstonecraft married her husband at the

age of fifteen. She produced her most famous novel entitled Frankenstein at the

age of nineteen. It was published in 1818. (Ash 178)

The origin of the novel came to Shelley in a dream, in which she says

she saw “the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working

of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with an uneasy half vital

motion” (Bleiler 6) The story starts with several letters written by Captain

Walton to his sister. Walton has been navigating the Arctic ocean when he

observes a sledge being pushed by a gigantic body. The day after the crew saves

Victor Frankenstein from Geneva from a similar sledge. After Victor has

recuperated, he recounts his tale to Walton. This account is the largest

section of the book. The novel also includes six chapters of the creature

explaining his life. (Bleiler 5) Mary’s style of narration appears to be very

puzzling. However the first reader’s of Frankenstein were very familiar with

this style of narration. (Aldiss Billion 21)

Shelley brilliantly includes how the monster feels. She analyzes the

monster psychologically. “One of Frankenstein’s greatest merits is that its

tale of exterior adventure and misfortune is always accompanied by a

psychological depth.” (Aldiss Billion 25)

Throughout the story the readers main interest revolves around

Frankenstein’s creation. The creature is never given a name, it was referred to

in the story as “creature,” “daemon,” or “monster.” For this reason

Frankenstein has been thought to be the monster, when he was the creator.

One everlasting fascination of the novel are its ambiguities,

Frankenstein is never seen throwing the switch to give his creation life. The

language of the novel makes it very easy to confuse the two main roles and

believe that Frankenstein is the creature. Shelley also frequently describes

Victor Frankenstein as if he were the monster. “We. restored him to animation.

As soon as he showed signs of life we wrapped him up in blankets. I often

feared that his suffering had deprived him of understanding. He is generally

melancholy and despairing..” This is not Shelley describing the monster, but

Shelley describing Victor. (Aldiss Trillion 42)

Mary structured much of the book around intelligence. Victor

Frankenstein is not the only character in the novel searching for knowledge,

throughout the book Walton and the monster are also looking for enlightenment.

(Bleiler 7) “The monster, product of guilty knowledge, threatens the world with

evil progeny.” (Bleiler 7) Frankenstein is yet another work of science fiction

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