Speculative fiction is a term that covers all forms of
science fiction. Many subgenres fit under the term speculative fiction in
including alternative history, fantasy, horror, cyberpunk, dystopia and many
more (Lost books, 2011). Although science fiction falls under speculative
fiction it is usually based on science and technology of the future. If science
fiction becomes too unrealistic is can cross over to another subgenre of
speculative fiction called fantasy. Science fiction texts are frequently set in
a different world such as space, or in the future (Read, write, think, 2005).
Apart from only exploring science, technology and the future the speculative
fiction genre has a wider boundary and looks at philosophy, language and
history. I believe that The Man in the High Castle predominantly falls under
speculative fictions specifically under the subgenre of alternative history, however
it also has some forms of science fiction through using different worlds such
as outer space. Philip K Dick uses alternative history throughout the novel The
Man in the High Castle and questions what would have happened to the world of
Japan and Germany had won the Second World War. Dick creates a different
history and outcome of the world that we would live in if the war had been won
by the opposite side. He also shows how it would be run and brings in forms of
racism to show how different cultures feel about one another in the alternate
history of the world. Even though the book is
mainly based on alternative history and speculative fiction, science fiction
begins to appear when spaceships take over parts of the solar system in the
story, the books moves into an outer space setting and elements of science
fiction develop. I believe that The Man in the High Castle falls under
speculative fiction as is it mainly based on an alternative history and science
fiction only plays a small part in the book.
Lost Books. (2011). What is Speculative Fiction? Retrieved from http://www.lostbooks.org
Read, Write, Think.
(2005). Definition of Science Fiction.
Retrieved from
Hi Emily, I think you are a bit confused between all these different terms. There are many arguments about the definition of science fiction vs speculative fiction, and there is a school of thought that says speculative fiction should be an umbrella term for all science fiction. But there are also many arguments opposing that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you've made a good start on your post. I would suggest that you do the secondary readings in the course reader and then try to tackle this question again.
Mike might also be able to help clarify these terms for you. Mike?
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, i did some more research and had another go at the blog i have posted it as a new blog. Thank you