Fantasy and speculative fiction have long captivated readers with their exploration of the unknown, the supernatural, and the extraordinary. From ancient folklore to contemporary novels, these genres have evolved significantly in how they portray supernatural elements. This evolution reflects changing societal values, scientific progress, and literary tastes. In this blog post, we’ll explore how supernatural elements in speculative fiction have changed from the 1800s through today, with a look into the future of these genres.
The Early Days: 1800s to Early 1900s
The supernatural has always been an integral part of storytelling, with early folklore, myths, and religious texts filled with otherworldly beings and events. However, the formalization of these elements within the realms of speculative fiction, especially during the 19th century, marked a shift in how these stories were told.
The 1800s saw the rise of Gothic literature, where supernatural elements were often entwined with themes of horror and the sublime. Works like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), which is often cited as one of the first science fiction novels, grappled with the boundaries of life and death through the lens of scientific experimentation. Shelley’s creation of a reanimated monster was a reflection of early 19th-century anxieties about science and morality, showcasing how the supernatural could be used to critique human hubris.
Similarly, Edgar Allan Poe’s tales, such as The Fall of the House of Usher (1839) and The Tell-Tale Heart (1843), blended the eerie with the psychological, creating an atmosphere where supernatural forces seemed to manifest from the characters’ minds. These stories used the supernatural not only to frighten but to explore deeper existential and philosophical concerns.
The late 19th century also saw the rise of the Weird Fiction subgenre, exemplified by writers like H.P. Lovecraft, whose work delved into cosmic horror. In stories like The Call of Cthulhu (1928), Lovecraft introduced the idea that the universe is governed by ancient, incomprehensible forces far beyond human understanding. This shift towards an impersonal, indifferent universe represented a new direction for supernatural fiction, where humans were no longer at the center of the narrative, but rather victims of larger, indifferent powers.
The Golden Age of Science Fiction and Fantasy: 1930s to 1970s
The mid-20th century brought a shift in speculative fiction, where supernatural elements began to intertwine with the emerging field of science fiction. The Golden Age of science fiction, spanning from the 1930s to the 1950s, prioritized a more scientific approach to storytelling, where the supernatural was often explained through advanced technology or alien life.
Authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke focused on human ingenuity and the expansion of knowledge, but even within their scientifically grounded stories, elements of the supernatural often crept in. Clarke’s novel Childhood’s End (1953) depicted an advanced alien race, the Overlords, whose abilities and control over humanity could easily be seen as godlike or supernatural, pushing the boundaries between science and mysticism.
At the same time, fantasy as a distinct genre was solidified with works like J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954-1955), which drew heavily on mythological and folkloric traditions. Here, the supernatural took the form of wizards, enchanted objects, and ancient evils. Tolkien’s work, while drawing on ancient traditions, set the tone for modern high fantasy, where magic and otherworldly forces were central to the world-building.
During this period, the supernatural was often used to highlight human fallibility, the mysteries of the universe, and the limits of rational thought. Supernatural elements served as metaphors for the unknown and the unknowable, blending the mystical with the scientific to explore the consequences of human ambition and exploration.
The Late 20th Century: 1980s to 2000s
By the 1980s, speculative fiction saw a resurgence of supernatural themes, often as a reaction against the more technology-driven narratives of earlier decades. The 1980s and 1990s were also heavily influenced by the rise of urban fantasy and supernatural horror, blending everyday life with elements of magic and the paranormal.
Authors like Stephen King mastered this fusion, with works such as It (1986) and The Dark Tower series (1982-2004) exploring cosmic and supernatural forces intruding on ordinary lives. King’s works often emphasize the thin boundary between the known and unknown, with supernatural entities taking the form of ancient evils, malevolent spirits, and psychological horrors.
The late 20th century also saw the rise of magical realism, particularly in the works of authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende. In magical realism, supernatural elements are seamlessly integrated into the mundane world, often serving as a critique of political or social structures. García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) portrays the Buendía family, whose lives are marked by magical occurrences that represent the cycles of history and human nature.
This period blurred the lines between fantasy, horror, and literary fiction, allowing supernatural elements to transcend genre boundaries and reach wider audiences.
Supernatural Fiction Today: 2000s to Present
In the 21st century, the supernatural continues to thrive in speculative fiction, with works that reflect contemporary concerns. The rise of dark fantasy and grimdark fiction, as seen in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series (1996-ongoing), brings supernatural forces like dragons, the undead, and ancient magic into complex political narratives, showing how the supernatural can serve as both a source of power and terror.
Meanwhile, contemporary authors like N.K. Jemisin have used supernatural elements to address issues of race, identity, and social justice. In The Broken Earth trilogy (2015-2017), Jemisin uses geological and magical forces to explore environmental devastation, oppression, and survival, bringing a fresh perspective to how supernatural powers can be wielded in a narrative.
Today’s speculative fiction often embraces diversity, incorporating folklore and mythologies from a wide range of cultures. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic (2020), for example, blends Gothic horror with Mexican folklore, highlighting how the supernatural can be used to explore cultural heritage and identity.
The Future of Supernatural Elements in Speculative Fiction
Looking to the future, supernatural elements in speculative fiction are likely to continue evolving in response to societal and technological changes. As AI, biotechnology, and space exploration advance, the boundary between science fiction and fantasy may blur even further, with supernatural elements taking on new forms. We may see stories that explore the intersections of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and spirituality, where the supernatural is framed through the lens of digital immortality or the manipulation of reality itself.
Additionally, as voices from diverse cultures continue to emerge in the literary world, we can expect an even broader exploration of supernatural elements drawn from non-Western mythologies, offering fresh narratives that challenge traditional Western notions of the supernatural.
In conclusion, the supernatural in speculative fiction has shifted from the eerie and unknowable forces of the 19th century to a tool for exploring modern anxieties about technology, identity, and society. As we move forward, the supernatural will remain a vital part of speculative fiction, evolving in new and exciting ways to reflect the changing world around us.