A Main Concern of Speculative Fiction
In this first unit for the class, we have looked at two international classics of science fiction: Roadside Picnic (Russia/USSR) and Solaris (Poland). While they might be coming from an unfamiliar perspective, these two novels engage with many of the familiar concerns of science fiction: the dangers of technology, what it means to be human, and just what alien contact would, could, or should look like. Based on plot development, character dialogue, and any other evidence you can find from the text, formulate an argument exploring the novel’s overall message about one of these concerns, based on the following prompts.
“Solaris and Concerns Over What is Human: In the novel’s treatment of Rheya, we find a character who seems both human and inhuman. Looking at how she is characterized by various characters, including herself, construct an argument that explores how human she is. In other words, based on how you read the novel, do you feel that Rheya is human? As you answer this question, explore the standards you and/or various characters from the novel use to either establish or dismiss her humanity.”
・Formulating an argument: start with a yes/no answer to the prompt. But don’t be satisfied with that. Continue to explore the complexity of the problem—not simply black and white, but in shades of gray.
・Finding, developing, and refining your terminology: start with the basic concepts and definitions. From there consider related terms and/or more specific versions of the basic terms.
・Using the text for analysis and evidence: summary, paraphrase, and quote (but also details, plot points/events, metaphors, allusions).
・You use pieces from the text as evidence, yes, but more importantly as a jumping off point into a deeper understanding of your topic. So don’t think of quotes as merely proof for your claims. They can also be an occasion for pushing /complicating your claims by scrutinizing how the text (characters, narration, situations) talks about the concern—how many different ways does it talk about (do we see this in terms of different characters, developments within characters.
・Think about different characters as inhabiting different positions in a debate about whatever major sci-fi concern you are exploring: alien contact, the problems of technological advancement.
