Themes and Myths in Writing, Mythcon Part 2

One of the topics of discussion at Mythcon last month was whether fantasy and science fiction are social commentary in disguise. Our big-picture conclusion was that it could be, but didn't have to be -- and it works better if the author isn't trying to make a statement.

Fantasy and science fiction are well-suited for social commentary because the unrealities of these genres allow authors to put a little distance between the topic and the readers. When the story takes place on another planet, in another world or with characters who aren't human, we can look at any social issues presented in the story more objectively and less defensively. People tend to put barriers up and get defensive when they feel like they're being accused or criticized, but when it's about someone else, they might actually get the message. The original Star Trek series frequently had the crew visit alien planets that embodied various social issues as seen on contemporary earth.

But, as the famous quote goes, if you want to send a message, use Western Union. A heavyhanded message, even when delivered through another world, won't have the desired effect. What's far more effective is when the author's experiences and attitudes subconsciously seep into the story. "Any piece of fiction more than four pages long will have a theme, but it may not be intended," said Tim Powers, the convention's author guest of honor. "Anyone has obsessions, hatreds and compulsions, and they show up more effectively when they're not given conscious thought." In fact, the conscious -- what the author thinks he ought to believe -- and the subconscious -- what the author really believes -- may disagree, and when the author tries to consciously impose a message about what he thinks he ought to be saying, the result may be inconsistent messages.

The message may even be in the eye of the reader rather than in the author's intention. As Powers said, "I never deliberately have anything to say, and if I saw I had accidentally said something, I cut that out. My ghosts are just ghosts. They're not symbols."

I had to agree because I write to entertain. I've occasionally realized I've put something of my world view into a story, but I'm not writing to persuade anyone about anything. And now I've put that in writing so that on the off chance that my work goes on to be studied in the future, any students forced to write essays about the deeper meanings in my work will have proof that I didn't intend a deeper meaning.

The convention season is about to pick up for me. I've got Armadillocon later this month, then FenCon in September and MileHiCon in Denver in October, so I'll have plenty of road reports.