EAC234 Assignment 1

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In “Nightfall” and “The Cold Equations” does the author believe man is superior to nature? Or nature to man?	Your name here!
What do “Flowers for Algernon” and “Nightfall” say about the role of science in society?
Several of the assigned readings we looked at were considered to be “ground-breaking”. Pick two stories and explain how they broke new ground in SF.
How has SF grown and matured as a literary genre? Use two of the assigned readings to illustrate the growth – you may also refer to works that preceded the ones you are talking about to illustrate the growth.
Is science a necessary element of a science fiction story? Defend your argument using at least two of the assigned readings.
What is the author saying about men's expectation of women in “Helen O'Loy” and “The Perfect Woman”?
Why did the author choose the narrator he did in “Helen O'Loy” and “Flowers for Algernon”?
Ideas often take precedence over characterization in SF stories. Illustrate this using two of the assigned readings. ( )
SF stories often turn things around so that we see them in a new way. Describe how this technique is used in two of the assigned readings.
Since SF stories can be set in any place or time, most begin by establishing the setting. Illustrate how this is done in four of the assigned readings.
By setting stories on other planets or using other races, the author is often holding a mirror up to our society or to human psychology. What is Asimov saying about us in “Nightfall”?
Science fiction stories often have to deliver a lot of information to the reader, but don't want to deliver it in a tedious way (i.e. as a dry lecture). Describe and illustrate the techniques used to do this in four of the assigned readings.
Is "Helen O'Loy" a sexist story? Be sure to explain any terms you might use, especially the term "sexist".
Wiki madness! In lieu of a formal essay, I will allow some people to put together wiki pages on some of the assigned readings. See me for more details. Stories eligible for this include "Helen O'Loy", "It's a Good Life", "The Cold Equations" "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" or "Aye, and Gomorrah".