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Sun Spots, v. 3, issue 4, whole no. 12, November 1940
Page 3
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November, 1940. SUN SPOTS Page 3 Editorial #1. "Whats wrong with it"? By Roy Plotkin It has been said that science fiction is trashy, impossible, nonsensical and a host of other equally imcomplimentary adjectives. But asked the expressers of these opinions to give two reasons why they say the things they do, and in most cases you'll draw a blank. The primary and underlying reason for the denouncement of Science fiction as a form of literature is the failure of English teachers in present-day high schools to recognize the intense imagination and conception used to write a good science fiction story. Certainly no one is more famous in modern American literature that Edgar Rice Burroughs. Yet I know at least two instances where english teachers will refuse to consider him legitimate material for a book-report. Yet thoes same teachers will readily admit Poe and Verne as fine stuff to be read, assimilated and reported on by stuedents who would doubtless enjoy far more the modern form of the Verne-Poe era, science fiction. Let us analize science fiction. What is it? A well known magazine classes it as prophetic fiction and this is as good an definition as any. Fiction is an extremely variable form of writing, and prophetic fiction, because it deals with the future, unknown to any, has far greater scope than any other form of fiction. Novelists, short story writers, and poets all have very narrow fields to work in, yet teachers encourage the study of the better works of these men as ideal examples of literature. Maybe they are, but a, but a little of the imaginative sort of writing stimulates intrest in a students brain, and would train him to use his long dormant powers of construction and imagination. This is an invaluable aid to composition writing, and no teacher will deny that fact. But then, what is their reason for denouncing the use of science fiction? It is this: Science and fantasy fiction represents an hither to unreconized and unexploited form of writing. It is printed largely in pulp magazines, and for this reason alone many pedagogues frown upon it. But Edgar Rice Burroughs, Eric Temple Bell, and a host of others have books printed by the most reputable publishing houses, who most certainly try to throw it on the market [,] If they didn't think it was very necessary for the complete and final literary standpoint of the masses. In my opinion (( Which doesn't count--Ed)) teachers make a grave mistake in not recognizing science fiction as a full fledged member of literary society, and until they recognize this fact, they must be made to know just what this"prophetic fiction" really is, and the influence it has on the lives of all of us, whether we read it or not. In closing, let me say that all these experiences have been mine with various teachers in various schools, and none of them are without complete qualification. HOW ABOUT US EASTERN FANS HAVING A SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION THIS YEAR TOO? IT'LL BE NEWARK AND DENVER IN 1941! LETS ARRANGE IT SO AS THEY CAN BOTH BE HELD AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEN EAST CAN ATTEND THE WEST AND THE WEST THE EAST......WELL, HOW ABOUT IT?
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November, 1940. SUN SPOTS Page 3 Editorial #1. "Whats wrong with it"? By Roy Plotkin It has been said that science fiction is trashy, impossible, nonsensical and a host of other equally imcomplimentary adjectives. But asked the expressers of these opinions to give two reasons why they say the things they do, and in most cases you'll draw a blank. The primary and underlying reason for the denouncement of Science fiction as a form of literature is the failure of English teachers in present-day high schools to recognize the intense imagination and conception used to write a good science fiction story. Certainly no one is more famous in modern American literature that Edgar Rice Burroughs. Yet I know at least two instances where english teachers will refuse to consider him legitimate material for a book-report. Yet thoes same teachers will readily admit Poe and Verne as fine stuff to be read, assimilated and reported on by stuedents who would doubtless enjoy far more the modern form of the Verne-Poe era, science fiction. Let us analize science fiction. What is it? A well known magazine classes it as prophetic fiction and this is as good an definition as any. Fiction is an extremely variable form of writing, and prophetic fiction, because it deals with the future, unknown to any, has far greater scope than any other form of fiction. Novelists, short story writers, and poets all have very narrow fields to work in, yet teachers encourage the study of the better works of these men as ideal examples of literature. Maybe they are, but a, but a little of the imaginative sort of writing stimulates intrest in a students brain, and would train him to use his long dormant powers of construction and imagination. This is an invaluable aid to composition writing, and no teacher will deny that fact. But then, what is their reason for denouncing the use of science fiction? It is this: Science and fantasy fiction represents an hither to unreconized and unexploited form of writing. It is printed largely in pulp magazines, and for this reason alone many pedagogues frown upon it. But Edgar Rice Burroughs, Eric Temple Bell, and a host of others have books printed by the most reputable publishing houses, who most certainly try to throw it on the market [,] If they didn't think it was very necessary for the complete and final literary standpoint of the masses. In my opinion (( Which doesn't count--Ed)) teachers make a grave mistake in not recognizing science fiction as a full fledged member of literary society, and until they recognize this fact, they must be made to know just what this"prophetic fiction" really is, and the influence it has on the lives of all of us, whether we read it or not. In closing, let me say that all these experiences have been mine with various teachers in various schools, and none of them are without complete qualification. HOW ABOUT US EASTERN FANS HAVING A SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION THIS YEAR TOO? IT'LL BE NEWARK AND DENVER IN 1941! LETS ARRANGE IT SO AS THEY CAN BOTH BE HELD AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEN EAST CAN ATTEND THE WEST AND THE WEST THE EAST......WELL, HOW ABOUT IT?
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