Comparative Literature: East & West (Jul 2022)

Imagination is the Power of Myth, the Rest is Painted with a Touch of Science Fiction: A Study of Mythology and Science Fiction

  • Sanjukta Chakraborty

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/25723618.2022.2106663
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 2
pp. 130 – 138

Abstract

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ABSTRACTAt the beginning of human existence, myths functioned as realizations of the fundamental mysteries of life. In the absence of scientific information of any kind, societies devised creation myths, resurrection myths, and complicated systems of supernatural beings, each with specific powers and stories regarding their actions. At its best, science fiction generally tries to free the imagination and also opens up new avenues of perception. Its validity lies in its efforts to convey an exhilarating and life-enhancing appreciation of the mystery of the universe, of existence. The first science fiction was very much utopian; the following concerned a heavenly body and celestial body travel. As an effect, the genre arose out of the intensifying tenets that typify science and as initiative, and resourcefulness comprises the spirit of science. Through this paper, I will show how mythology and science fiction amalgamate and interconnect together. In the beginning, the inspiration for science fiction came from mythology, which means imagination changes into the reality of life.

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