Wednesday, November 9 ~ Exploring early SciFi (and Science Fantasy too!)

First, let's discuss the first chapter of Out of the Silent Planet. It might be helpful to discuss the contrasting characters of Ransom, Weston and Devine.

EQ: What was Lewis pursuing in learning and experimenting with this genre?

For starters, let's look at SciFi back then...
Chase found some helpful videos on Frankenstein and the difference between SciFi and Science Fantasy.
And just for kicks here is a cool historical perspective of how it has changed.

Here is a sweet TED Talk on why the world needs this genre.

H.G.Wells was one of the main influencing writers for Lewis. Here is an old movie of one of his most famous works, The Shape of Things to Come.  (The movie is just called Things to Come.)
Two questions before you watch:

1. Consider what things were not yet real in 1936...weapons of mass destruction, no atomic bombs had fallen yet, Hitler was barely known in his true identity yet....
2. The last ten minutes are most important. Consider our EQ: What was it about Wells' work that was so inspiring for Lewis? 

Homework:

J27: After perusing the sources above, answer the EQ.

J28: Read Chapters 2 & 3.