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Difference between Fantasy and Science Fiction


“Science fiction is about what could happen but isn’t, fantasy is about what couldn’t be”.

This quote of Arthur C Clarke explains the basic point of difference between the two genres, fantasy and science fiction. Besides the elementary difference that you might pick up from a google search, it is imperative to understand how the story is structured and written in fantasy vs in science fiction. The possibility and the impossibility creates a difference between them. They are extremely similar in capacities but highly different by the possibilities of it happening.

The goal is one of the differences between ‘what if‘, which describes fantasy and divides our world against a world that could be. For instance, The Lord of the Rings, a world full of elves and trolls and hobbits is known as the middle earth. The races are far superior to humans but successfully engaged their readers in the story.

The characters also differ when it comes to these two. Sci-fi deals with characters that are mostly robots of futuristic technologies or biologically modified aliens. When you look at a sci-fi film by Nolan, you’ll see that the director showcasing technologies from the future that seem unreal. The people he creates are normal people like you and I, except they have one element, that sets them apart. Fantasy on the other hand deal with the creatures which are not futuristic or advanced but magical and full of surprises. They identify with the region, race, or a particular place they belong to.

The sci-fi setting is mostly in outer space or different planets and galaxies. It shows different species of aliens attacking earth and trying to conquer or take resources from it.  Whereas the fantasy world is mostly set in the past world or a world that doesn’t actually exist. It can be medieval or ancient. They deal with characters that often possess magical powers or even a tiny element that sets them apart from the rest of the world.

Many fantasies deal with alternate dimensions or worlds as well, known as parallel worlds or universes. Readers would be expecting magic, mythical creatures, and strange places from your work. When trying to understand the difference between science fiction and fantasy, the story’s place or setting will play a huge role in depicting the story.

Science fiction is broad and contains a lot of different elements that are held together with logic and true scientific nature. This makes it quite easy for writers and authors to form misconceptions about fantasy and sci-fi writing. There are levels in science fiction that makes up the story and would differentiate reality from fantasy. While science fiction and science fantasy both pertain to the science of something, in reality, they have different ideologies. 

As many differences as one can count between the two, both these genres belong to the parent genre of Speculative Fiction. 

About the Author

Sharon is the content head at Binge Mad, an entertainment media company. 

 

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