Sylvie's Webliography

3. If science fiction is a genre that imagines our future, what happens to gender and race? (you can apply this question to literary or cinematic sf)

Race and ethnicity in science fiction from The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction

In this chapter of the ebook, the writer introduces concepts of racial relations in the science fiction. He uses several examples to explain how writers in early twenty centuries tried to avoid the issues of racial difference. Science fictions in the past could not illustrate the interaction between dominant culture and minority cultures. Writers still used the viewpoint of humanity to examine the alien culture. As time goes by, writers of science fictions began to explore racial issues. He describes science fiction as a way to reveal subjects and concerns which may not be seen or spoken in the reality. The writer believes that science fictions will become a way to raise problems of racial minority and become a strong genre in literature.

This reference critically analyses on how science fiction can raise and influence issues of racial minority. It clearly shows that sf can make a great impact on its readers and writers treating racial minority. One notable recent example is the movie Avatar, which the leading role had undergone repetitive racial transformation between human and the alien races. It explores the perspective of the aliens, which is the cultural minority in the movie, to humankind. The source provides a clear insight on the relationship between science fiction and races.

Beyond Binary Gender: Genderqueer Identities and Intersexed Bodies in Octavia E.Butler's Wild Seed and Imago and Melissa Scott's Shadow Man from Alien Constructions: Science Fiction and Feminist Thought (P.219-257)

This source analyses the conflicts of the binary gender system in science fiction. The writer states that although various science fictions are in feminist approach, only a few of them explore the possibility of breaking through the dualities of man/woman, despite the fact that science fiction is the product of imaginative stories. The writer then raises the problem of confusion between sex and gender in the society. She explains that in the society, gender is defined by their performance and desire to sex rather than the identity of the individual. She believes that the physicality does not shape one’s identity. To conclude, sexual identity and biological nature can be separated, and science fiction continuously explores the possibility of this concept.

The chapter of the ebook identifies a critical question, the formation of the sexual identity of one self. It discusses the matter through various aspects. These aspects, which apparently not found in reality, are created or generated by science fiction. It provides ideas of criticising sexuality, which are far beyond reader’s imagination.

Race from Science Fiction (P.118-45)

The reference describes that science fiction is used to exemplify the racial status, specifically the blacks and the whites in America, regardless the intension of the writer. The writer indicates that blacks are identified as aliens or robots in the science fictions. The features of the different species reflect that of the blacks. He emphasises that the aliens or robots, the representation of blacks, are usually described as violent individuals or groups who always harm the majority groups, or simply human race. The writer further explains that the aim of the writers is to lead readers to consider racial discrimination happened around them.

The article reflects the truth that science fiction is an effective way to reflect issues on racial difference, and to raise questions on these issues in readers’ mind. Another point worth mentioning is that the issues raised in the science fictions is affected by the thoughts of people at that time. In other words, science fictions and the peoples’ thoughts are influencing each other at the same time. The article raises my interest on how science fictions can actually shape the ideas in the culture, if it may serve the function in the future.

Stereotypes from Androids, Humanoids, and Other Science Fiction Monsters: Science and Soul in Science Fiction Films (P.71-76)

The writer introduces five stereotypes of woman in science fiction, including nurturers, producers of children, sex objects, earthy and home-bound beings and socializers. He uses several movies to exemplify the expectation of woman to take care of man. Although there is difference between the characteristics of woman, their role in the end is to look after man. Moreover, the responsibility of woman to produce children is expected. He also discusses that woman are typecast as sex objects in sf. Man in the movie fragmented the woman’s body to fulfil their voyeurism. Woman are ‘objectified and eroticised’. Nevertheless, woman are labelled as earthy. They concern about marriage, which is consider as customary. The last stereotype of woman in sf, socializers, is not easy to understand, according to the writer. He explains that although woman are seemed as earthy and nurturer, they are the follower of the cultural norms, whereas man are the player and manipulator of the rules. Thus, woman are more likely to be accepted in the social intercourse.This chapter of the ebook is pertinent to the guiding question. It presents the perception of how woman is regarded in the sf, and hence helps the imaginings of the gender status in the future.

Science Fiction and Gender from Science Fiction Film (P.110-12)

The writer describes how science fiction can increase the consciousness on feminist issues in the chapter. He thinks that the sexuality is predefined by the culture, while science fiction challenges its definition by creating images and bodies. He also mentions the relationship between male and female in the culture, especially on the issues of male desire to control over the process of recreations. Several science fictions are cited to illustrate the concept. The writer believes that science fictions can challenge and raise questions about the current cultural identities of sexuality.

Different from other reference, this source focuses on the problem of the duality of man/woman in the society. Instead of questioning the existence of binary sexuality system, it uses science fiction as an approach to increase the awareness on feminist matter. It states that the imagination of science fictions is effective to illustrate the concerns brought by feminists.

Works Cited

Leonard, Elisabeth Anne. "Race and Ethnicity in Science Fiction." The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction. By Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn. Cambridge UP, 2006. 253-63. Templefyw.pbworks.com. Web. Accessed 12 Mar. 2011. http://templefyw.pbworks.com/f/Leonard+-+Race+and+Ethnicity+in+Science+Fiction.pdf>.

Melzer, Patricia. "6. Beyond Binary Gender: Genderqueer Identities and Intersexed Bodies in Octavia E.Butler's Wild Seed and Imago and Melissa Scott's Shadow Man." Alien Constructions: Science Fiction and Feminist Thought. Austin: University of Texas, 2006. 219-57. Questia. Web. accessed 14 Mar. 2011. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=116591595>.

Roberts, Adam. "Race." Science Fiction. London: Routledge, 2000. 118-45. Ebrary. Web. accessed 11 Mar. 2011. http://site.ebrary.com.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/lib/hkulibrary/docDetail.action?docID=10054086&p00=science+fiction>.

Schelde, Per. "Stereotypes." Androids, Humanoids, and Other Science Fiction Monsters: Science and Soul in Science Fiction Films. New York: New York UP, 1993. 71-76. NetLibrary. Web. accessed 10 Mar. 2011. http://www.netlibrary.com.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/Reader/>.

Telotte, J. P. "Science Fiction and Gender." Science Fiction Film. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2001. 110-12.Ebrary. Web. accessed 11 Mar. 2011.http://site.ebrary.com.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/lib/hkulibrary/docDetail.action?docID=10001857&p00=science+fiction>.