Monique Porteous week 8 - Science Fiction

What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes and concerns of the novel? What elements conform to the wider generic features of SF? 

Within reading Brown's (2001) writings, it is clear that Brown has an extensive knowledge of Phillip K.Dick and his book 'The Man in the High Castle.' In regards to what Brown identifies as the central themes of the novel, these would have to be "good and evil, and the abuse of power" Brown (2001, p.vii). These central themes relate extremely closely together, which is what created such an impressive plot in the novel. The abuse of power theme works well with the Nazi elements found in the novel, the rise to Nazi power and the way Hitler ran Germany during WWII was a full blown abuse of power, and the electoral system - thus linking into one of the central themes of the novel. 'Good and evil' as a central theme is broad but it works well with the characters of the novel. One character in Dick's novel 'The Man in The High Castle' (1962) displays this theme through his actions and personality, Nobusuke Tagomi. Tagomi is a Japanese man working in San Francisco who seems simple in the beginning of the novel but then transforms into a yin and yang style of character - that displaying the 'good and evil' theme. Tagomi uses his efforts to eliminate Nazi guards, which makes him 'good' but on the other hand, this causes him moral stress from being a murderer. The theme of 'good and evil' lives through Tagomi while also sparking off in places throughout the novel. From themes to concerns, Brown illustrates the fear of being stuck in a place which is out of our control, which is found in each character in the novel. "found themselves trapped in circumstances beyond their control" Brown (2001, p.xi) perfectly describes the central concern throughout this novel. 

One element found in Brown's writings which conforms to the wider generic features of SF would have to be how it gives the reader a glimpse of another world which is nothing like their own. While Brown does use Dick's novel as the example for this, it is found widely across SF. Aside from SF books, the element of seeing into another world different to your own is found in TV, movies, manga and anime. To be specific, the famous TV series 'Star Trek' (as well as it's movies) involves a setting so different compared to our own world. The series gave insight into what it would be like to be working on a spaceship with a crew of other humans - something so far fetched compared to our own world. This element of SF is crucial in creating a successful medium in the genre, it is what brings the reader/viewer into the genre successfully. 

References: 

Brown, E. (2001). Introduction. In Dick, P.K., The Man in the High Castle (p.v-xii). London: Penguin. 

Dick, P.K. (2001; 1962). The Man in the High Castle. London: Penguin.