Themes of the novel, "The man in high castle" are depiction of littel people living small lives with hornor and confusion. Also, "examination of the conflicting ideas of totalitarization and Eastern philosophy" (Brown, 2001).
According to Mountfort (2005), what role does the I Ching have as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle?
Dick received from the I Ching "when he posed it questaion at various critical junctures in the novel regarding the situations his characters faced:how they should interpret events, what they should do next, and what the result would be"
Moreover, "these consultation provide a record of Dick himself seeking advice as to how he should proceed in the writing of the novel and its plot development...Dick regarded the I Ching itself as having in a sense written in High Castle".
I was only half-way through the book and I found it extremely depressing.
However, I think one of the most significant theme in The Man in the High Castle is the question of the penetration of true reality into a false reality.
For example: this can be seen when the character, Robert discovers that many of his antiques are fake. He becomes very parnoid and thought that his entire stock are fake as well.
I read them during the weekend. That's my strategy ;)
6. How does the use of this device illuminate the character of the novel’s protagonists?
According to Mountfort (2005), It "illuminate the subterranean fate-lines that connect characters who never meet but whose decisions are actions effect each other in concrete ways".
sorry, I clicked enter before I finished commenting.
So I was saying that the whole 'true reality/false reality" thing is a common theme for Dick.
Sometimes he causes the counterfeits to become real, and in this case the 'counterfeiting' is so good, it makes us question the meaning of 'real'.
For example: a counterfeit Colt .44 is indistinguishable from a genuine antique by all except an expert. It is also functional, as Mr. Tagomi demonstrates.
From what I've recalled from Paul's lecture on Monday,"The man in high castle" is categorized as a Speculative fiction.
The difference between Speculative fiction and Science Fiction is that Sci-Fi is more focussed on techonology and gadgets whereas Speculative Fiction is based on more realistic background with philiosophical elements in it.
I think TMITHC poses a lot of probing questions. This story mainly revolves around the ethical decisions of the main characters.
I felt a bit unsatisfied because TMITHC does not have an ending and it left me wondering about the meaning of the abrupt end.
A lot of events happened in this novel, but there are still lots of unresolved pieces of the story.
The novel is very depressing and the way Dick write is very gloomy. However, it is also the gloomy mode that helps to create and put the characters in settings which are spooky and ghostly realistic.
Well, if I try to summarise this novel in one sentence, I'll say:
"If you're Evil, you Lose, even if you Win."
It is quite a difficult book to read, but interesting.
Hi apple Jean. I really admire you. How could you pick up the theme: "the qustion of the penetration of the true reality into a false reality." I think, you are right. To be honest,I'm in the middle of reading this novel,but from time to time I was in trouble to follow the story line. However,I'm asking you, why people would like to classify detailly the scientific literature? I think there is not much diference between SF and speculative fiction. I feel that SF does not regarded as a high literature, so SF writer's intention could be that it should be upgraded to be distinguished. Sorry for disturbing you. But,if you don't mind, please visit my 5 room to discuss
As Maho said that the main themes of the novel: "The man in high castle" are depiction of littel people living small lives with hornor and confusion. Also, "examination of the conflicting ideas of totalitarization and Eastern philosophy" (Brown, 2001).
Yes, I think so. However, according to Brown (2001), Dick used SF to explore his obsession with metaphysics, the nature of perceived reality, good and evil, and the abuse of power. He also made the reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is hoax in his works. This has been granting us an insight into the minds of real and the characters moulded by circumstance in TMITLC, like all great SF to give reader a what if glimpse of another word to compare with the real one which exists in our own world. (p16)
Furthermore, Dick always concerned that what constitutes a true human being, as apposed to a fake. While in TMITLC, it can be seen that most part dedicated that characters find themselves trapped in circumstance beyond their control and the what if scenario with a twist. (Brown, 2001, p5 & p14)
Besides, the main theme of the novel is the question of the penetration of true reality into a false reality. Such like “the dominant theme in Dick’s novel –Juliana makes a discovery that changes her perception of reality.” (Brown, 2001, p16)
Yep…I think the difference between Science fiction and Speculative Fiction just like pear said. While Science fiction is often related to high technology stuffs and Science fiction is more based on realistic background. However, when I heard about Science Fiction I don’t know why I immediately to think about “Gundam”. Well, Gundam is one of the longest running series. It contains with anime, novel, manga, and even movie. Heehee, I think I really like that. Anyway, I think Gundam would be one of the good examples for the SF, because Gundam is a high technical product in the image, it is hard to believe that if it appear and cause war or something in the present day. I admired the Japanese that making this kind of image since 1970s. By the way, based on our technical progress, I hope I can have a chance to see Gundam one day. Maybe soon, no one knows the future right?
15 comments:
Themes of the novel, "The man in high castle" are depiction of littel people living small lives with hornor and confusion. Also, "examination of the conflicting ideas of totalitarization and Eastern philosophy" (Brown, 2001).
According to Mountfort (2005), what role does the I Ching have as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle?
Dick received from the I Ching "when he posed it questaion at various critical junctures in the novel regarding the situations his characters faced:how they should interpret events, what they should do next, and what the result would be"
Moreover, "these consultation provide a record of Dick himself seeking advice as to how he should proceed in the writing of the novel and its plot development...Dick regarded the I Ching itself as having in a sense written in High Castle".
What does Dick (1995)himself theorize about the I Ching.
Dick (1995) stated that, " I Ching enters, since it works on the basis of synchronicity -and is a device by which sychonicity can be handled".
1. What is the difference in emphasis between the terms science fiction and speculative fiction?
2. Which is The Man in the High Castle?
3. What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes and concerns of the novel?
4. What elements conform to the wider generic features of SF?
5. According to Mountfort (2006), what role does the I Ching have as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle?
6. How does the use of this device illuminate the character of the novel’s protagonists?
7. What was does Dick (1995) himself theorise about the I Ching?
Wow, Maho you are a super-fast poster.
Had you finished reading the book?
I was only half-way through the book and I found it extremely depressing.
However, I think one of the most significant theme in The Man in the High Castle is the question of the penetration of true reality into a false reality.
For example: this can be seen when the character, Robert discovers that many of his antiques are fake. He becomes very parnoid and thought that his entire stock are fake as well.
To Pear Jin.
I read them during the weekend. That's my strategy ;)
6. How does the use of this device illuminate the character of the novel’s protagonists?
According to Mountfort (2005), It "illuminate the subterranean fate-lines that connect characters who never meet but whose decisions are actions effect each other in concrete ways".
sorry, I clicked enter before I finished commenting.
So I was saying that the whole 'true reality/false reality" thing is a common theme for Dick.
Sometimes he causes the counterfeits to become real, and in this case the 'counterfeiting' is so good, it makes us question the meaning of 'real'.
For example: a counterfeit Colt .44 is indistinguishable from a genuine antique by all except an expert. It is also functional, as Mr. Tagomi demonstrates.
Q1.
From what I've recalled from Paul's lecture on Monday,"The man in high castle" is categorized as a Speculative fiction.
The difference between Speculative fiction and Science Fiction is that Sci-Fi is more focussed on techonology and gadgets whereas Speculative Fiction is based on more realistic background with philiosophical elements in it.
Hm, I finished reading TMITHC.
Well, more like scanned-read it really quickly.
I think TMITHC poses a lot of probing questions. This story mainly revolves around the ethical decisions of the main characters.
I felt a bit unsatisfied because TMITHC does not have an ending and it left me wondering about the meaning of the abrupt end.
A lot of events happened in this novel, but there are still lots of unresolved pieces of the story.
The novel is very depressing and the way Dick write is very gloomy. However, it is also the gloomy mode that helps to create and put the characters in settings which are spooky and ghostly realistic.
Well, if I try to summarise this novel in one sentence, I'll say:
"If you're Evil, you Lose, even if you Win."
It is quite a difficult book to read, but interesting.
Have fun reading it. haha.
Hi apple Jean.
I really admire you.
How could you pick up the theme: "the qustion of the penetration of the true reality into a false reality."
I think, you are right.
To be honest,I'm in the middle of reading this novel,but from time to time I was in trouble to follow the story line.
However,I'm asking you, why people
would like to classify detailly the scientific literature?
I think there is not much diference between SF and speculative fiction.
I feel that SF does not regarded as a high literature, so SF writer's intention could be that it should be upgraded to be distinguished.
Sorry for disturbing you.
But,if you don't mind, please visit my 5 room to discuss
Grace:
ok, I will see you in blogspot number five.
As Maho said that the main themes of the novel: "The man in high castle" are depiction of littel people living small lives with hornor and confusion. Also, "examination of the conflicting ideas of totalitarization and Eastern philosophy" (Brown, 2001).
Yes, I think so. However, according to Brown (2001), Dick used SF to explore his obsession with metaphysics, the nature of perceived reality, good and evil, and the abuse of power. He also made the reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is hoax in his works. This has been granting us an insight into the minds of real and the characters moulded by circumstance in TMITLC, like all great SF to give reader a what if glimpse of another word to compare with the real one which exists in our own world. (p16)
Furthermore, Dick always concerned that what constitutes a true human being, as apposed to a fake. While in TMITLC, it can be seen that most part dedicated that characters find themselves trapped in circumstance beyond their control and the what if scenario with a twist. (Brown, 2001, p5 & p14)
Besides, the main theme of the novel is the question of the penetration of true reality into a false reality. Such like “the dominant theme in Dick’s novel –Juliana makes a discovery that changes her perception of reality.” (Brown, 2001, p16)
Yep…I think the difference between Science fiction and Speculative Fiction just like pear said. While Science fiction is often related to high technology stuffs and Science fiction is more based on realistic background. However, when I heard about Science Fiction I don’t know why I immediately to think about “Gundam”. Well, Gundam is one of the longest running series. It contains with anime, novel, manga, and even movie. Heehee, I think I really like that. Anyway, I think Gundam would be one of the good examples for the SF, because Gundam is a high technical product in the image, it is hard to believe that if it appear and cause war or something in the present day. I admired the Japanese that making this kind of image since 1970s. By the way, based on our technical progress, I hope I can have a chance to see Gundam one day. Maybe soon, no one knows the future right?
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