- What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction? Which is The Man in the High Castle?
Speculative fiction is one of the literature works which are more highly imaginative fiction genres. Almost fiction genres are encompassed in the speculative fiction, for example, science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and alternate history (Golden, 2010). However, speculative fiction focuses less on the technology and more on issues of social change (Goldschlager & Eos, 1997).
As a result, the literature genre of The Man in the High Castle is a science fiction, but as we view it broadly, it also could be in the speculative genre.
- What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes and concerns of the novel? What elements conform to the wider generic features of SF?
The major themes and concerns of The Man in the High Castle are related to the illusions with hiding reality. Throughout the novel, Dick proposes that the better world than The Man in the High Castle might exist somewhere (Brown, 2001). I found that the novel is concerned by the belief and faith to other worlds.
The Man in the High Castle belongs to the science fiction genre. Dick explores the features of SF through setting the background time of the novel; that is the Alternative World. As Brown (2001) explains the writer shows his imperative idea with metaphysics, perception of the actuality nature, and the power misuse by using the illusion factors of the SF genre. “The Man in the High Castle, in its depiction of little people living small lives with honour and confusion – and in its examination of the conflicting ideas of totalitarianism and Eastern philosophy – is perhaps Dick’s finest book, and one of the very best science-fiction novels ever published” (Brown, 2001, p.12).
- What does Dick (1995) himself theorise about the I Ching?
The theory of I Ching (The Book of Changes) used the synchronicity as a basis (Dick, 1995). According to Dick (1995), it is analytical and diagnostic, not predictive. This means, the book is not a means to predict what may exactly occur in the future time just may possibly happen. I think that is why it is used as a theme that appears in SF constantly like The Man in the High Castle.
I Ching theory is prominent and remarkable point in The Man in the High Castle. Three characters; Nobusucke Tagomi, Frank Frink and Juliana Frink are based on the theory of I Ching. As Dick (1995) shows the I Ching by diffused it and as a part of their cultural domination under the authority of those three characters.
References:
Brown, E. (2001). Introduction. In Dick, P.K., The Man in the High Castle(p.v-xii). London: Penguin.
Dick, P.K. (1995). Schizophrenia and the I Ching. In Sutin, L. (Ed.), The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick (pp.175-182). New York: Vintage.
Golden, J. (2010). What is speculative fiction: What literary genres & subgenres are considered speculative fiction? Retrieved 26, September, 2010 from http://www.squidoo.com/speculativefiction
Goldschlager, A. & Eos, A. (1997). Science fiction & fantasy: A genre with many faces. Retrieved 26, September, 2010 from http://www.sfsite.com/columns/amy26.htm
Some great responses(two is enough each week tho). Some comments:
ReplyDelete1. "The Man in the High Castle is a science fiction, but as we view it broadly, it also could be in the speculative genre" - it would be useful if you could brief exemplify this with one or two breif descriptions from the novel. E.g. What sort of 'social change' (good comment by the way) occurs in the novel?
2. Nice response - do you agrre with Brown's comment that MitHC is "one of the very best science-fiction novels ever published"?
3. I'm not sure if I fully understand everything in your response here - tho I like the attention you have drawn to the analytical and diagnostic character of the i-ching. How do the three characters use the i-Ching differently?
Hi Soo-Yeon, I agree with that the High Castle is a science fiction and can also be speculative but what do you mean exactly by 'the novel is concerned by the belief and faith to other worlds' do u also mean the novel is proposing a better world might exist?
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