The Concept of Science Fiction Centers - Essay Example

The concept of science fiction is one that centers around the unknown, specifically in realms of technology. However, the ideal of the heroic quest is also a major component that is linked to this. Understanding how characters react to challenges is then able to work as the primary concept in different movies, with the reaction to these bringing in the ideals of technology that are used as a tool for the characters. In both “Contact,” made in 1997 and “Alien” from 1979, there are specific ideals that show this relationship of the heroic quest. The main character shifts that occur, as well as the pattern of the heroic quest are able to help bring a different set of elements to the sci-fi films. The heroic quest in both films is one that is based on overcoming personal afflictions and creating a sense of identity. This is one that is outside of the sci-fi genre and moves into universal debates and struggles that are identified by the character. The first set of ideals from the characters that is linked to the heroic quest is seen on an individual level from the different characters. This relates specific to sci-fi ideals that the audience can link to and includes a generalized and universal problem the character is faced with. Each of the characters are developed with a main conflict within themselves that links to the technology they are applying and the quest they are going on. Having this as a part of the heroic character is essential to the final outcome of the characters, while helping to bridge the main components of sci-fi with a central conflict through the characters (Clarke, David, 1997). The first movie, “Contact,” is able to show a heroic quest from the lead character, Dr. Ellie. During this film, Dr. Ellie is focused on having technology that can communicate and go to different planets. However, the battle over using this technology and being able to get to these planets is the primary concern. When moving beyond this, the character shows the main battle within herself. This is one that creates a debate between science and the belief in something larger. Dr Ellie is forced to take this into consideration through the movie. She begins as someone who is cynical and relies on technology to someone who has to believe in the unknown beyond technology. For instance, in the beginning of the movie, the main debate with Dr. Ellie is whether she should use technology to see other planets if she doesn't believe in God. However, by the end of the movie, she is able to state that she believes in what others haven't seen, beyond the basic science that is used. This character development then becomes the main heroic contrast in the movie. The importance of the change of ideals from Dr. Ellie is significant in this film not only because of the change in personal beliefs, but also because of the concept of creating meaning by showing this contrast through the main character. This is not only significant because of the change, but also because of the overall theme of the movie. Because this specific film is based on taking technology to the next level, the contrast of belief by the main character creates opposition not only for the main theme, but also toward the overall concept of technology. This causes the theme of belief to transcend the ideas of technology. More than this, the concept of having this controversy through the main character works within the realm of sci-fi and those watching the movie. Since most who are interested in a film such as “Contact” are also dealing with the concepts of technology as opposed to belief, the main character becomes a voice for them. This becomes one of the main concepts of the heroic quest which Dr. Ellie represents. Having this meaning associated with the genre and the movie then become a main staple for the audience and within the movie (Ellis, Robert, 2001). This same type of concept of reaching to the audience through technology is another component seen through “Alien.” The main characters struggle, which includes the crew that visited the planet, such as Dallas and Ripley, show this same controversy but in a different way. While the technology is the main component, the debate from the main characters is whether the technology should have been used in this way, especially with what happens and what is found. Not having the right technology placed together then becomes a central struggle that forces the characters to move beyond the basic reliance on technology and into deeper sets of belief that are manifested through the aliens. The investigation turns into one that questions the use of the technology and what is found, specifically because of the nightmarish outcome of the aliens. At the same time, the crew shows that there is a desire to move back to times before technology and into the human arena. This is seen in different scenes, such as when they are sharing cornbread or when they express discomfort on the planet. The particular approach where the crew creates a debate between the effectiveness of technology and the desire not to know is similar to the debate that Dr. Ellie took between technology and belief. The difference is simply in the type of struggle and questioning that there is. Part of the heroic quest is having the internal debates and questions that both movies provide. The questioning in “Alien” is based on whether technology should be able to show this side of the universe. For sci-fi, this overriding theme among the characters is then able to appeal to the audience and belief. Since this was made in 1979, it is able to reach to the audience and their fears that technology can bring. The different images of the aliens, the dialogue of the characters and the metaphors that are seen where the planet being investigated is uncomfortable and unknown all work together in this sci-fi film. Through this, the characters are able to show the concept of fear related to the growth of technology, as well as personal struggles relating to moving off the planet earth. This becomes an overriding theme that is able to speak to the audience about their own fears from this time (Brigitte et al, 2001). The main heroic concepts that each of the characters undertakes outside of technology and in relation to the scientific events then becomes something more than a sci-fi movie. More specifically, this links to a psychological basis of the film that the audience can relate to. The most important theme that runs through both of these movies in relation to psychological understanding is the ability to link to the morality of the characters. This can be linked to the Jungian unconscious of the characters, which shows the unfulfilled self trying to find answers. When these are added into the struggle of the characters, then it becomes a fragmented part of morality (Iaccino, James, 1998). For instance, in “Contact,” Dr Ellie is fragmented with her main struggle between belief and technology. Until she finds this answer, she is continuously headed against mistakes and debates with those in the environment. With “Alien,” the fragment is with the technology for exploration, without the correct belief or initiative to find the correct concepts linked toward the aliens that are out there. In both instances, the heroic characters are not only faced with the basis of the sci-fi film, but are also led to debate through this type of psychological undertaking. This is not only with the fragmentation of the main characters in both movies, but also includes the fulfillment of both. In the end, Dr. Ellie is able to combine belief with technology for her completeness. In “Alien” the crew is able to find a complete understanding of the investigation they are in, despite the fear and terror that arose. In the same Jungian perspective, this is the “rise of consciousness from the shadow depths of the unconscious.” (Iaccino, 1998). The individuals in both movies become aware of their entire self, instead of only the parts that they had seen before. Even with the crew acting as one main segment of the film in “Alien,” is the ability for those that are left to have a full perspective, instead of one that is partial. This becomes the main individualized heroic conquest of both characters by the end of the film. For the sci-fi films, this concept not only questions the main psychology of characters, specifically with morality and the individual, but also moves into ideals that lead to the concept of 'ultimate reality.' Sci-fi is something that is based in the future or something that is possible, instead of something that is real. However, having character dilemmas through the heroic outcomes and the questioning shows a timeless movement, even with the extra technology and realities. Doing this creates a link to the present moment of those viewing a sci-fi film and works as a component to make the impossible possible. By having the questioning of the main characters, as well as the controversies that have to be overcome, the audience is then able to question the same ideals in their own psyche. This makes the controversy present, real and one that creates the link between fantasy and reality (Williams, Tony, 1983). An instance of this can be seen with Dr. Ellie in “Contact.” For instance, when she is getting ready to use the technology, the scene switches from her main 'lab' where she is investigating the possibilities to one that is filled with culture and politics that can be seen in the modern day. At this point, the possibilities, the future ideals and the science fiction leaves the scene and the timeless and heroic debate of Dr. Ellie becomes the central point. At this point, Dr. Ellie is forced to answer questions about her understanding of God, her relationship to the project and even toward her gender. Putting this as a modern day conflict, combined with the technology, then works to bring in realism to the overall movie. As this is done, the sci-fi becomes more real to the audience. More than this, a central debate from the character and the heroic endeavors are pointed out and directed so there is a different understanding of what is occurring, not only for possibilities, but also in the present day. Creating this same connection between the heroic debate, while making the technology and sci-fi secondary to create this realism is also seen in “Alien.” For instance, the possibility of getting stuck in a vacuum in space and then being attacked by aliens that no one has ever seen before would easily enter into the world of fantasy. However, this continues to move into the present moment with the conflicts of the characters and crew. For instance, when the crew is awakened and thinks that they are close to home, they begin to talk about bonuses, specifically with Parker, Brett and Dallas. This type of dialogue is seen continuously throughout the movie, which continues to bring the audience back to the present day and the realism of the movie through the characters. Doing this with the journey is then able to provide a different level to the struggles that are being seen through the characters and the realistic components that bridge together the concepts of fantasy with reality. Having this as a part of the heroic quest then creates more of a link to the alien lands that are being visited and 'overcome.' The psychology, inner debates and realistic viewpoints that the individual characters struggle with are then able to relate to the overall heroic quest that is identified in both films. In “Contact,” the end of the heroic quest is getting to the planet that is desired and discovering the new elements that come as a part of the technology. Achieving this specific goal, while moving through the various levels of problems not only with technology, but with personal growth, is one that allows for a specific type of character development. Dr. Ellie becomes the hero because she is able to put her life into the unknown and try the impossible. The heroic quest in “Alien” becomes one of survival, where the characters are able to develop inwardly and show this through their outward movements to get outside of the vacuum and outside of the attacks that are created by the aliens. In both instances, the end heroic quest that is first individual, then shows the overall conquest in the movie becomes a binding point between the sci-fi, characters and the concept of overcoming. When describing the idea of the hero, it is stated that “a school of heroics [is a place] where dilemmas are always overcome and where 'unresolved conflict' is an alien concept” (Goode, William, 1976). Having this as the main heroic definition, first involves the individual character that is able to overcome the dilemmas that are personal and psychological first. This is then moved into resolving the conflict that is both within and which the characters are presenting themselves with. When defining the hero, the moral limbo is the first ideal that has to be overcome by the character. This is followed by the perspectives that are added into the conflict. The character is only able to resolve the overall dilemma and reach a heroic quest when the individual and inward concepts are learned from and have been overcome (Goode, William, 1976). This particular ideal then links to the continuous perspective of the heroic quest in both the movies. Qualities of the quest are also a part of the inward changes made by the characters. “Certain qualities of the quest have begun to emerge: hope, movement, danger, exposure to otherness in alien cultures or natures, all rendered in a distinct personal voice... quests are mainly interior, those night journeys through the inverted forests of the soul” (Hassan, Ihab, 1990). The changes that the characters make then become the primary consideration for the overall heroic quest. Dr. Ellie, for instance, moves through the hope with her desire for the technology to bring her to another world. The movement includes the fight to take this flight, even though it includes danger. The discovery is toward the alien land that she is moving toward with the quest being conquered only by her change in personal belief. This specific pattern for the movie “Contact” then becomes the overall movement of the plot and initiates the changed ideals of the character. This same pattern and heroic movement is seen in “Alien.” This begins with the hope to discover new land and to investigate concepts in a foreign area. This turns toward movement of those who travel to space and who find themselves stuck in this movement. The danger and exposure to alien creatures becomes the central focus of the crew, with the quest being overcome once the characters are able to leave this part of the journey, which leads to the final changes within the heroes for the conquest that has been initiated. Similar to “Contact,” this pattern remains the same, with the end result being a changed set of ideals from the first person point of view, as well as a deeper understanding of what the heroic quest involves. The idea of the hero in sci-fi movies is an integral part to the central themes of the movies. More than technology or the ideals of alien lands, are specific concepts related to the hero. The individual perspective of what the hero goes through with identity, psychological barriers and changing belief systems is one of the main components of this. This is seen through the heroic quest pattern that most fantasy movies carry, all which allow the hero to move into the unknown realms of the universe for the change in identity, beliefs and to move into an overcoming through the quest that the individual takes. References 1. Bannon, Dan, Ronald Shuset. Ridley Scott (dir). (1979). Alien. Shepperton Studios: England. 2. Brigitte, Nerlich, David Clark, Robert Dingwall. (2001). Fictions, Fantasies and Fears: The Literary Foundations of the Cloning Debate. Journal of Literary Semantics: (30), (1), pgs. 37-52. 3. Clarke, David. (1997). “The Cinematic City.” Routledge: New York. 4. Ellis, Robert. (2001). Movies and Meaning. The Expository Times (112), (9), pgs. 304-308. 5. Goode, William. (1976). Hand, Heart and Mind: The Complexity of the Heroic Quest. PMLA (91), (1), pgs. 44-53. 6. Hassan, Ihab. (1990). “Selves at Risk: Patterns of Quest in Contemporary America.” University of Wisconsin Press: Wisconsin. 7. Iaccino, James. (1998). “Jungian Reflections Within the Cinema: A Psychological Analysis of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Archetypes.” Praeger: New York. 8. Sagan, Carl. (1997). Contact. Warner Brothers Pictures: California. 9. Williams, Tony. (1983). White Zombie: Haitian Horror. Jump Cut (28), pgs 18-20. Read More