Science fiction has traditionally been viewed as a marginal genre, often portrayed as less than literary fiction. However, classics such as 1984 and Brave New World have been allowed in the canon and other modern classics such as Slaughterhouse Five have also been acknowledged as quality literature.
This multigenre unit focuses on sci-fi works growing from the novel I Am Legend, Richard Matheson. This sci-fi work from 1954 deals with post-apocalyptic and zombie-like creatures that are commonplace in popular films today. The novel has prompted a graphic novel adaptation, I Am Legend, as well as movie versions:
I Am Legend from 2007 and The Omega Man from 1971.
This unit can challenge students to consider sci-fi conventions, horror conventions, and acts of adaptation to both graphic novel and films.
Kurt Vonnegut had a contentious relationship with the science fiction genre; see his "On Science Fiction" and his first essay, "Science Fiction," in Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons.
Also, see Margaret Atwood's excellent essay on Utopian and dystopian works, "Writing Utopia," in Writing with Intent.
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