Homework due in on 08/10/2015

Other genres that could also be 'fantasy'

♦ Science fiction
♦ Political allegory
♦ Dystopian fiction
♦ The Gothic
♦ Magic realism

Task: find definitions/descriptors for each of these sub-genres of novels.

Science fiction: a genre of fiction dealing with imaginative content such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universes and extraterrestrial life.

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Political allegory: a story or painting that, on the surface, tells one tale, but has a hidden political meaning underneath. It is an extended metaphor that often uses a simple substitution of one element or symbol for another. It can cover any time and space and does not have to be limited to the native politics and time of the creator.

SOURCE

Dystopian fiction: the opposite of the utopian fiction: creation of an utterly horrible or degraded society that is generally headed to an irreversible oblivion, or dystopia.

SOURCE

The Gothic: a genre or mode of literature that combines fiction, horror, death and Romanticism.

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Magic realism: a literary genre or style associated especially with Latin America that incorporates fantastic or mythical elements into otherwise realistic fiction.

SOURCE

♦ Having done so:

✓ Re-read the synopsis of Frankenstein

✓ Decide the 'best-fit' for Frankenstein  The Gothic

The 'best-fit' for Frankenstein is The Gothic, because of how closely related the plot is to the actual genre. Frankenstein is filled with horror (I assume the Monster looks very hideously, to be neglected by its creator because of its looks), murder (the death of Justine, William and Henry). The whole atmosphere of the story is very dark as well, as a reader, I really wanted the Monster to be loved, but everyone mistreated him and exposed him to hatred until the poor guy couldn't take it any more and turned to vengeance (another trait of the Gothic). What's more interesting, is that there are no genuinely happy characters in the story. Everyone is either depressed or mad. Or, if they start feeling happy, few moments later their happiness is gone (when Victor marries Elizabeth and the same evening she gets killed by the Monster). So basically, the Gothic, as a genre is full of the most freaky stuff: disgusting murder scenes, incestuous relationships ('Frankenstein' can be very proud of this one) and lots more. Therefore, it is the best fit.