MaKayla Hensley: Horror/Fantasy

Everyone has had the question on their mind "what if the world ends tomorrow?". It's a big question to have on your mind, and if you're in no position of power like the main character in this story it probably doesn't brush your mind as much as other worries. Like your house getting bulldozed, not burning your breakfast this morning, getting to work on time, getting your favorite drink. I think this story in a way showcases human nature. We as human beings are so comfortable with little worries like such listed above, that for us to waste our time with such big questions would turn out to be counter intuitive. Even those that are called "doomsday preppers" don't entirely have a clue of how the world will end specifically. They are just banking on the possibility of it being nuclear fallout, or maybe destroyed in a way where this is hope of return. What if that's not the case? What if the Earth is utterly obliterated to the point not a trace is le

I feel like the significant difference between sci-fi and fantasy and the literary use of it especially in the sense of Oryx and Crake is that he is sharing a fictional story within a fictional story. Some of the things that take place within the truth of his tale are sci-fi and fantasy-esque, but it does not consume the story line per say. However, with that being said from my readings in this story I would still classify is as a science fiction novel. Yes, it is not a directly fantasy story, but it would still attract audiences that would like stories that fall into those categories. These pre and post apocalyptic story lines are in and of themselves a sub genre of sci-fi. Not to mention the fact that Snowman's past is a sort of utopia/dystopia where people who have jobs with big fat cat companies are provided food and shelter while those who do not have jobs are outcast. I am sure that there are novels out there that don't necessarily follow this, and use fantasy and sci-fi

1. My reaction to the text I just read was really jarring at first. I was a little confused with how everything was put in place at the beginning but after a few pages I was able to follow along a little easier. I have read another one of Octavia Butler's works before and this one was so different from Kindred. It left me feeling extreme discomfort, but not in the sense that I did not like the piece, but the subject matter, and what took place in the story is incredibly chilling a concept. The idea of being subservient to insect like creatures, acting as their breeding livestock, constantly being subjected to stings and eggs to preserve their youth and ignorant blissfulness. 2. Being brainwashed or otherwise blissfully unaware of something fairly dark and sinister is something that is a particular fear of mine. Not one where I am constantly worried about encountering it like clowns or trypophobia type fears, but I was subjected to this kind of treatment. Not to the same extremity

Kindred by Octavia Butler is a really intriguing approach on science fiction. It's a refreshing tale, I don't think I have ever seen a plot quite like this. Traveling through time from the present to the past, the 1800's in a time where her people had much less freedom. It is a very dark story that follows how the main character, Dana, treats the people she meets while time traveling despite their obvious hatred and prejudice against the color of her skin. Despite all of the hatred and harm that comes her way, she treats the white folk as kindly as she can. As sweet as that insinuation is another part of me kind of is heartbroken by that. Dana is from the late 1970's so perhaps at first it is just her natural instinct to be kind to those she finds despite their color. Later on in the novel though it feels more like a survival instinct. If she doesn't treat Rufus kindly enough she could be killed, and the fact that she is still kind and saves him on numerous occasi

The Anubis Gates is a fantastic steampunk book that brings up the subject of if time travel was created in the 1800's. It's a gorgeous genre that paints a picture of evolution in science and magic despite the lack of technological knowledge and resources like our technological advancements in the present. In these worlds instead of using sophisticated materials like plastic, greenhouse gases, or even diesel, the inventions are powered with means like steam, coal, or even act like clockwork windup toys. This time period allows a more hazy blend of science, and fantasy. Magical gypsies, werewolves, experimented creatures, and being able to tread planes of both man and Egyptian gods. It produces a more robust and entertaining reading experience, encountering so many wonderful things in a Victorian timeline wrapper.

Reading Blindsight was an intriguing observation of the human design. How we are more emotional than mechanical but we are indeed both. That control is some form of an illusion that we feed ourselves with. It brings up the question especially in our time the importance of control and power. Young adults dye their hair because they have the control to do so. We are told in order to achieve certain goals that self control is important. Growing up we are told of many people who control us in some way shape or form (parents, presidents, gods, etc.) If control truly is an illusion, it is an illusion we have fallen for mind body and soul as a human race. What if out of the blue everyone embraced that idea? Didn't accept the concept of someone or something controlling them? What would happen? What would the world look like if we had never accepted this illusion to begin with?