Nudity, frequently found in science fiction literature, often symbolizes inner or outer situations. The circumstance that individuals, groups or entire nations are not clothed, is in such cases not simply an expression of a natural form of living, but reflects in an allegorical manner intentions of the author, or it fulfils different functions within the text. So a plenitude of positive or negative meanings can be attributed to such nudity, such as perfection, beauty, simplicity, innocence, childishness, frankness, but also poverty, humiliation or defencelessness. Nudism and naturism have influenced some of the authors, for instance Isaac Asimov in his novel The Gods Themselves (1969). Nudity or nakedness is the state of wearing no clothing. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... ... The term perfect has different meanings: Look up Perfect on Wiktionary, the free dictionary For the mathematical concept, see perfect number. ... Many see natural beauty in the folded petals of a rose. ... Simplicity is the property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined. ... Innocence is a term that describes the lack of guilt of an individual, with respect for a crime. ... Look up Frank and frank in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows his find. ... Humiliation is literally the act of being made humble, or reduced in standing or prestige. ... Nudism, or naturism, is the practice of going nude or unclothed in social and usually mixed gender groups, specifically in cultures where this is not the norm. ... Isaac Asimov (courtesy of Jay Kay Klein) Isaac Asimov (c. ... The Gods Themselves is a 1972 science fiction novel written by Isaac Asimov (ISBN 1061500534). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ...

Some exemplars for the symbolic use of nudity:

• H. G. Wells presents in his utopia Men Like Gods (1923), largely a work of social philosophy, a mankind in another dimension that has developed to an advanced stage of beauty, intelligence, sociability and peace. The almost complete nudity stands for the ideal of a perfect life.
• In some novels and stories of Robert A. Heinlein, especially in his satiric Stranger in a Strange Land (1961), nudity serves a symbol of an alternative form of living, as a protest against the tradition, as a sign of the liberation from controls. The criticism of the modern lifestyle however is connected with a wink. In his Job: A Comedy of Justice, casual nudity indicates basic maturity and lack of shame.
• In Marion Zimmer Bradley's voluminous The Mists of Avalon (1982) nudity appears only in a short episode, but the meaning characterizes the whole story. Nudity here symbolizes naturalness and innocence as well as threat and vulnerability.
• In several early stories by John Varley characters wear skin-tight reflective force fields over their naked bodies instead of spacesuits, so that they resemble animated nude statues. Furthermore, when two force fields touch they merge together, which allows wearers to touch skin to skin and even make love while wearing them, no matter how hostile their external environment may be. Thus nudity in this context can be seen as a symbol of the ability of technology to conquer hostile environments; the wearers may appear naked but they are no longer (at least physically) vulnerable.
• In Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994), it is established that the Betazoid race conduct weddings in the nude as a celebration of love: bride, groom, wedding party and guests (not mandatory, just customary). In one episode, however, Lwaxana Troi decides to break her engagement to a groom (from a stuffy, protocol-obsessed people who are not interested in fun) by showing up in the buff at the wedding ceremony.
• In Odd John by Olaf Stapledon humans who have evolved beyond ordinary humanity abandon the use of clothes.
• Kim Stanley Robinson makes extensive use of social nudity in his respective Mars and California trilogies. Over time mores appear to change to where people are no longer ashamed to be seen by family and friends without clothes for swimming or communal bathing.
• "Cloak of Anarchy" by Larry Niven uses the public nudity of one young woman as the story's leitmotif. In it, technology which prohibits the use of force enables a community where peaceful anarchy prevails. The lifestyle of the subculture includes nudity; however, when the technology fails, the woman finds herself helpless against sexual assault by multiple males. Niven has stated, and makes the point here, that he considers pacifism unfeasible and that "human nature" can never really change.
• Piers Anthony uses nudity in the Apprentice Adept series (Split Infinity (1980), Blue Adept (1981), Juxtaposition (1982)) to separate the social status of the inhabitants of the planet Proton. A Serf, a kind of indentured servant, is required to wear no clothing except in the privacy of their quarters. The political leaders, Citizens, may choose to wear clothing.

H. G. Wells at the door of his house at Sandgate Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 – August 13, 1946) was a British writer best known for his science fiction novels such as The War of the Worlds ,The Invisible Man ,The Island of Dr. Moreau and The Time Machine. ... Utopian, in its most common and general positive meaning, refers to the human efforts to create a better, or perhaps perfect society. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... In mathematics, the term ideal has multiple meanings. ... Heinlein autographing at the 1976 Worldcon Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was one of the most influential and controversial authors in science fiction. ... Stranger in A Strange Land Cover Stranger in a Strange Land is a 1961 science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Demonstrators march in the street while protesting the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on April 16, 2005. ... Look up Liberation on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Liberation is based on the word liberty, related to the word liberal (Monish Modi), and it is often understood as to be freed (or change) from not having freedom to having freedom. A major use of the word is the act of... Job: A Comedy of Justice is a novel by Robert A. Heinlein published in 1984. ... Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 - September 25, 1999) was a prolific author of largely feminist fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and was a steadfast encourager of equality (and quality) in writing. ... The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradleys novel, tells the King Arthur myth from a feminist point of view. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Natural is defined as of or relating to nature; this applies to both definitions of nature: essence (ones true nature) and the untouched world (force of nature). Natural is often used meaning good, healthy, or belonging to human nature. This use can be questioned, as many freely growing plants... Innocence is a term that describes the lack of guilt of an individual, with respect for a crime. ... A threat is an unwanted (deliberate or accidental) event that may result in harm to an asset. ... For other uses of the word Vulnerability, please refer to vulnerability (computer science). ... John Herbert Varley (born 1947) is a science fiction author. ... In general physics, a force field is a vector field representing the gradient of a potential. ... Apollo 15 space suit A spacesuit is a complex system of garments, equipment, and environmental systems designed to keep a person alive and comfortable in the harsh environment of outer space. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek Eugene Wesley Roddenberry (born August 19, 1921 in El Paso, Texas, USA - died October 24, 1991 in Santa Monica, California) was an American scriptwriter and producer. ... The title as it appeared in most episodes opening credits. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... Odd John is a 1936 science fiction novel by the British author Olaf Stapledon which explores the theme of the superman. ... William Olaf Stapledon (1886 – 1950) was a British philosopher and author of several influential works of science fiction. ... Kim Stanley Robinson at the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow, August 2005 Kim Stanley Robinson (born March 23, 1952) is an American science fiction writer, probably best known for his award-winning Mars trilogy. ... Larry Niven Laurence van Cott Niven (born April 30, 1938) is a US science fiction author. ... A leitmotif (also spelled leitmotiv) is a recurring musical theme, associated within a particular piece of music with a particular person, place or idea. ... A use of force doctrine is employed by police forces, as well as soldiers on guard duty, to regulate the actions of police and guards. ... Anarchy (New Latin anarchia, from Greek ανα–, no + αρχη, rule) is a term that has several usages. ... This page deals with sexual assault as a medical emergency and gives information on how victims, first-aiders and medical personnel can respond. ... Pacifism is opposition to war. ... Human nature is the fundamental nature and substance of humans, as well as the range of human behavior that is believed to be invariant over long periods of time and across very different cultural contexts. ... Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob (born August 6, 1934 in Oxford, England) is a writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. ...

See also

Nudity, Nudism Nudity or nakedness is the state of wearing no clothing. ... Nudism, or naturism, is the practice of going nude or unclothed in social and usually mixed gender groups, specifically in cultures where this is not the norm. ...

External links

• Nudity in Science Fiction
• Article: Robert Heinlein and Nudity
• Yarns Without Threads - Robert Heinlein
• Christian von Kamp: "Paradision" - ebook