Science Fiction vs Absurdist Fiction: A Battle of Genres When classifying a piece of literature, it is imperative to consider its genre. A text’s genre can answer the unknown inquiries that a reader may come up with. For example, a genre can explain why a book is written this way, why it contains such language, and why certain plot elements are the way they are. Science Fiction and Absurdist Fiction are two noteworthy genres to consider. Science Fiction is classified as “literature of the human species encountering change”(McKitterick 1). On the other hand, Absurdist Fiction is defined as “a genre of literature with a lack of purpose”(Bunting 1). Determining the meaning of a genre assists a reader in terms of understanding what to expect
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An author’s descriptive passage is capable of explaining the many mysteries that a certain idea has, whether it be how something works or how it looks. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has the capability to fulfill this requirement. Within the story, Victor Frankenstein, the main character, describes the creation of his monster when he, “collects the instruments of life around me, that I may infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet...I saw the dull, yellow eye of the creature open;it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs”(Shelley 42). Description that is rich in detail can help a reader understand how certain ideas work and the effects that it haves, preventing confusion as a result. However, the same cannot be said for Absurdist …show more content…
A better reason for the genre’s lack of popularity originates to the lack of purpose. To repeat, the genre is meant to have lack of purpose. Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is an example of a novel that lacks interest. Immediately after Gregor’s transformation, he only complains about, “what a grueling job he picked”(Kafka 1). He had little care for the fact that he transformed into a bug which leaves readers stupefied. This can explain the reasoning as to why readers feel this way. However, it is possible to understand why Science Fiction is so popular. Uniquely, Science Fiction’s fame is attributed to its seemingly unlimited ideas and vast creativity. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the most prominent examples. Victor specified that “I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing a secret...I became capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter”(Shelley 37). Unheard of and revolutionary ideas such as these are what causes so much attraction to the Science Fiction
An author’s descriptive passage is capable of explaining the many mysteries that a certain idea has, whether it be how something works or how it looks. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has the capability to fulfill this requirement. Within the story, Victor Frankenstein, the main character, describes the creation of his monster when he, “collects the instruments of life around me, that I may infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet...I saw the dull, yellow eye of the creature open;it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs”(Shelley 42). Description that is rich in detail can help a reader understand how certain ideas work and the effects that it haves, preventing confusion as a result. However, the same cannot be said for Absurdist …show more content…
A better reason for the genre’s lack of popularity originates to the lack of purpose. To repeat, the genre is meant to have lack of purpose. Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is an example of a novel that lacks interest. Immediately after Gregor’s transformation, he only complains about, “what a grueling job he picked”(Kafka 1). He had little care for the fact that he transformed into a bug which leaves readers stupefied. This can explain the reasoning as to why readers feel this way. However, it is possible to understand why Science Fiction is so popular. Uniquely, Science Fiction’s fame is attributed to its seemingly unlimited ideas and vast creativity. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the most prominent examples. Victor specified that “I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing a secret...I became capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter”(Shelley 37). Unheard of and revolutionary ideas such as these are what causes so much attraction to the Science Fiction