After reading An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L�Engle, I have come to the conclusion that this book is Science Fiction. It references many scientific terms, such as cosmic gushers, white holes, black holes, and other concepts related to astronomy. The book describes scientific advancements that we do not currently have the technology to achieve. They are imaginative ideas that might come true one day. In this paper I will discuss the genre of the book, why it is considered fiction, and the conflicts that the main character faces.
I can recall many examples from the book proving that it is Science Fiction. First, the main character Polly, travels through time. The book describes a time gate that transports various characters into the past. Second, unlike in a fantasy, all of the characters in the book are people or animals that are not imagined. Third, the terms used are related to science. Finally, some of the events have scientific explanations and involve the use of scientific knowledge.
This book is fiction because all fiction has several conflicts that the main character must face. There are several external conflicts in the story. Polly, Zachary, and Bishop Colubra get stuck 3,000 years ago when they travel through a time gate. This causes a major problem for Polly, who was told not to enter the gate. Also, some of the people in the ancient land want to sacrifice Polly to the gods so it will rain on their crops. Polly has another conflict with her friend Zachary, because he captures her and turns her over to the people who want to kill her.
There are also some internal conflicts in the novel. Polly debates whether she should go to the pool, a certain rock, or the cellar, the places where the time gate is active. Her grandparents, with whom she is living, have forbidden Polly from entering the time gate. Since the girl wants to go through the gate, she has an inner conflict because she doesn�t want to disobey her grandparents. The second internal conflict involves Polly and Tav, one of the people from the past. They are in love, but can�t be together because in Polly�s world, Tav has been dead for 3,000 years. She wants to be with Tav, but doesn�t want to live in his world, causing another conflict. The last internal conflict is with Zachary, because although he is supposed to be her friend, he doesn�t care that Polly is going to be sacrificed.
Based on the examples above, I have proven that the book is Science Fiction. The external and internal conflicts that Polly faced made the story interesting. I enjoyed the book; especially the way the character could travel through time. I hope my report has enlightened the reader about the genre of the book and I think that others my age would enjoy it.