Science Fiction: Bridge between the Two Cultures

Abstract

new short story. Because of this unique relationship, dominant for first time in our prose tradition, science fiction can be viewed as most accurately reflective literary genre of our time. But science fiction has only recently entered realm of respectability. Isaac Asimov divides history of science fiction in United States into four areas: (1) 1815-1926, (2) 1926-1938, (3) 1938-1945, and (4) 1945-to present.' The first era he terms primitive because the concept of science fiction had been born... [but] ... basis for support of science fiction writers did not yet exist. . Science fiction was found only in pulp magazines; it was considered a trashy and escapist form of literature which dealt with improbable things, such as space travel, death rays, and atomic energy. In 1926, science fiction reached second stage as a result of establishment of a regular outlet for it through Hugo Gernsback's magazine, Amazing Stories. This was first magazine devoted exclusively to science fiction. Gernsback defined genre as one in which scientific plausibility was major factor. He was not concerned with literary techniques but only with scientific logic and consistency. Few of writings of this period stand up today for readers other than science fiction historians.