Speculative fiction is defined as a broad literary genre encompassing any fiction with supernatural, fantastical or futuristic elements (dictionary.com). Therefore, by its very nature, speculative fiction explores possible societal reactions to certain events. For example, in Jules Verne's novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Captain Nemo creates a submarine that resembles a gigantic narwhal and accidentally crashes into a ship, the Scotia. Society, not understanding that it was a human error, reacted by launching a search for this “mortal” being with the aim of purging the world of this creature. Another example comes from HG Wells' novel The War of the Worlds. In the novel, Martians come to Earth and terrorize humanity. Wells gave a reading on the radio that many people listened to (without realizing they were hearing a fictional story) and reacted with mass hysteria. Other examples of fictional societal reactions to aspects of speculative fiction include: Chindi by Jack McDevitt – a futuristic novel – and Drowned Giant by JG Ballard – a novel with mystical creatures. In 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Professor Pierre Aronnax (M. Aronnax) investigates the occurrence of a ship in distress and the probable cause. He examines hypotheses, including that the object which struck the ship was in fact an artificial submarine, but he quickly dismisses it because it would be almost impossible to build a machine of such power and such size without notice. This shows how even the most civilized citizens can succumb to mass power and fear of community rejection. In chapter two, Professor M. Aronnax internally discusses his theory publication: “I have reserved for myself a path of escape. In fact, however, I... in the middle of the article ......results as to the orientation of this being and the cause of its death. Speculative fiction's role in defining civility and civilization is to comment on how society might react to certain events. Harnessing human hamartia, the fear of the unknown, including change. Speculative fiction allows people to explore the possibilities of the world they live in and illustrate the changes that will occur. Society would respond to catastrophic events by losing its civility, as speculative fiction shows. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, and Web. December 7, 2013. “Civilization.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, and Web. December 7, 2013. “Speculative Fiction.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, and Web. December 7, 2013. Verne, Jules and Victoria Blake. Twenty thousand leagues under the sea. Trans. Louis Mercier. Ed. George Stade. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2005. Print.