Class 12 English — Chapter 19: On Science Fiction

What you'll learn

• ▸The Origin and Definition of Science Fiction
• ▸The Prescientific Universe vs. The Scientific Universe
• ▸Myths and Legends as "Prescientific Science Fiction"
• ▸Science Fiction as a Background Genre
• ▸The Role of Priests and Magicians as Precursors to Scientists
• ▸Parallels Between Ancient Magic and Modern Technology
• ▸Blending Genres with a Science Fiction Background

Chapter Summary

--- PAGE 1 --- 12076CH19 6 On Science Fiction Isaac Asimov was a Russian born American author and biochemist. He was a highly successful and exceptionally prolific writer best known for his works on science fiction and for his popular science books. Most of Asimov's popularised science books explain science concepts in a historical way, going back as far as possible to a time when the science in question was at its simplest stage. He also lent his name to the magazine, Asimov's Science Fiction. Isaac Asimov 1920-1992 The Prescientific Universe Foreword To every history there is a prehistoric period. In the case of science fiction, the prehistory lingers on even today in some of the aspects of the field. But what of that? Just as Ice Age art can hold up its head with any form of art produced by sophisticated modern man, so can the prehistoric aspects of science fiction prove an accomplished literary form. I have often made the point that true science fiction is a creature of the …

Practice Questions from this Chapter

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1. Imagine a future invention? Get Solution →
2. Explore different alien worlds? Get Solution →
3. Explain how magic works? Get Solution →
4. According to the text, Isaac Asimov was best known for his works on science fiction and what other type of book? Get Solution →
5. Asimov argues that true science fiction is a creature of the last how many centuries? Get Solution →
6. What historical event does Asimov identify as the key development that allowed science fiction to be written? Get Solution →
7. In prescientific times, which figure filled the function of the modern scientist? Get Solution →
8. What is the primary goal shared by both ancient stories and modern science fiction, according to Asimov? Get Solution →

Did you know?

• 💡 Jules Verne's submarine Nautilus was designed decades before real ones.
• 💡 The term "robot" originates from a 1920 Czech play about artificial workers.
• 💡 Isaac Asimov wrote famous laws to protect humans from robots.
• 💡 Ancient humans thought flying required magic, but we use planes today.
• 💡 Scientists are developing actual tractor beams, just like in sci-fi movies.

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