On the Poetics of Science Fiction Genre Cover Image

O poetyce gatunku science fiction
On the Poetics of Science Fiction Genre

Author(s): Darko Suvin
Contributor(s): Krzysztof M. Maj (Translator)
Subject(s): Philosophy, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Studies of Literature, Philology, Theory of Literature
Published by: Ośrodek Badawczy Facta Ficta
Keywords: science fiction; cognitive estrangement; extrapolation; extrapolative model; analogic model

Summary/Abstract: The first Polish translation of one of the best-known articles on the poetics of science fiction, considered nowadays a must-read reference in the field. In this classical piece, Darko Suvin famously argues in favour of introducing the concept of cognitive estrangement modelled after Viktor Shklovsky’s ostranenie (often questionably rendered as defamiliarisation) as well as Bertolt Brecht’s Verfremdungseffekt (as defined in his Kleines Organon für das Theater). Arguing, in due course, for acknowledging the cognitive and epistemological potential of thus defined estrangement, Suvin proceeds to introduce and analyse two distinct models for studying science fiction from both historical and formalist perspective—the extrapolative model and analogic model—which altogether help at outlining features of the most prototypal science fiction. This translation is also supplemented with an addendum from 2014 wherein the author revisits his thoughts from Marxist perspective and ponders on their relevance in reference to a more politically inclined debate in science fiction studies.

  • Issue Year: 59/2018
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 9-24
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish