MYTHS, METAPHORS AND SCIENCE FICTION
I'm working on a longish piece of non-fiction (but not a book!) about science fiction's roots in mythology -- and perhaps, racial memories. Some of the pieces appeared previously as a blog on nebulaawards.com (now gone away) but in shorter form. So far, each essay taking up an archetype or mythic theme is about 1200-1500 words long, and includes discussion of the mythic form and reference to science fiction versions. I'm referring only to science ficton stories here, deliberately avoiding fantasy or horror which I think are separate subjects -- and more obvious anyway to the reader. Here's the tentative table of contents (not necessarily in final order except for the first):
Of Myth and Memory (an introduction that takes Ray Bradbury and Dylan Thomas as a starting point)
The Holy Fool
The Hero's Journey
The Magus
Gaia
The Animal Spouse
Monsters
Fantastic Voyages (Journeys, and Quests)
Islands
Rivers
The Wild Child
Cymbals and Ceremonies
Apocalypse
The Persistence of the Numinous
If you can think of other mythic tropes that turn up in science fiction, I'd be happy if you'd nudge me. There's lots of overlap between legend, fairytale, myth and basic plots here, and I'm not discarding anything at present. However, I'm trying to stay with putting the emphasis on myth. (For instance: Romeo&Juliet is a basic plot, but is it also a myth -- star-crossed lovers?) All suggestions and comments welcomed!
Of Myth and Memory (an introduction that takes Ray Bradbury and Dylan Thomas as a starting point)
The Holy Fool
The Hero's Journey
The Magus
Gaia
The Animal Spouse
Monsters
Fantastic Voyages (Journeys, and Quests)
Islands
Rivers
The Wild Child
Cymbals and Ceremonies
Apocalypse
The Persistence of the Numinous
If you can think of other mythic tropes that turn up in science fiction, I'd be happy if you'd nudge me. There's lots of overlap between legend, fairytale, myth and basic plots here, and I'm not discarding anything at present. However, I'm trying to stay with putting the emphasis on myth. (For instance: Romeo&Juliet is a basic plot, but is it also a myth -- star-crossed lovers?) All suggestions and comments welcomed!