Works
of science fiction aim to produce imaginative environments and places, but ones
that still retain a degree of plausibility.
This genre takes the familiar – our mundane everyday experiences – and dresses
them with sparks of creativity. However,
there is a delicate balance determining what is considered science fiction
versus simply fiction. In “The Coming of
Age in Karhide,” we see the incorporation of abstract landmarks, names,
societies, and histories. However, these
elements are stabilized by familiar figures: Mobiles, Aliens, and “kemmer,” a relatable biological process.
While
the words “science fiction” usually induce images of futuristic societies and
highly developed technologies, we almost see the opposite in Le Guin’s short
story. A few types of technology are
mentioned such as the radio, used for communication, and mentioning of
pictures, but it unclear as to the extent of other types of technology. This work instead focuses on an alternate
world in which humans are presumably cast as the “other,” being referred to as “Aliens.” Le Guin develops a new species using the
memories of the narrator. She pays
special attention to differences in culture and biology. Using similarities to coming of age rites
apparent in human cultures, she creates “Kemmerday,” the day in which
individuals first realize their gender.
In the story, this is shown through the narrator’s recollection of her
first menstruation.
One of
the phrases that stood out the most in this story was, “We shape each other to
be human.” It is clear at this point
that the individuals of this civilization are most likely successors to
humans. Since the beginning of the story,
the reader is seen as an outsider, a human.
However, by the end, we are pulled in by the similarities of this native
population and our own biological processes.
Elements of love, sex, and the all too relatable process of puberty draw
us together, blurring the lines of “the other.”
Adam hits on a really important idea that complicates what we talked about in class on Wednesday. The science fiction genre is a tough area to define in words. While some science fiction stores are, as Adam said, taking the familiar and adding an unfamiliar manipulated variable to that setting, not all science fiction fits into that mold. After thinking about the setting of Le Guin's story "The Coming of Age in Karhide" and our class discussion, I believe that I have a better understanding of what makes science fiction, science fiction.
ReplyDeleteAdam explains that despite the fact that the story takes place in an unfamiliar setting, there are "familiar figures." We compared science fiction to fantasy during class, and to me, the difference stems from the "stabilizing factor" or the bridge to reality. In science fiction, the bridge is in the setting, the characters, or the "figures." In fantasy, we relate to the story because of themes. Fantasy stories can create a completely unrealistic or impossible setting, but we are drawn to characters because of their development or the way they handle moral dilemmas or high pressure situations. I hadn't really ever thought about trying to define either one of these genres, but now as I read one of them, I will continue to look for similarities and differences between them.