Fantasy: Difference between revisions

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=Characteristics of Fantasy=
=Characteristics of Fantasy=


One of the defining traits of the genre of fantasy is magic. It’s the most basic element of fantasy. Magic is something humans can’t perform, which makes the task intriguing to readers. Magic is that in which charms, spells or rituals are used in order to produce a supernatural event.<ref name="Fantasy Books">McGowen, Karlene. "Fantasy Books: There's a Whole Other World Out There". Web. 7 July 2015. <http://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_06.03.08_u >.</ref> For example Harry Potter finds out at the age of eleven he has magical abilities.  
One of the defining traits of the genre of fantasy is magic. It’s the most basic element of fantasy. Magic is something humans can’t perform, which makes the task intriguing to readers. Magic is in charms, spells or rituals that are used in order to produce a supernatural event.<ref name="Fantasy Books">McGowen, Karlene. "Fantasy Books: There's a Whole Other World Out There". Web. 7 July 2015. <http://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_06.03.08_u >.</ref> For example, Harry Potter finds out at the age of eleven he has magical abilities.  


Other worlds are an imaginative creation by the author of a place that is nothing like earth. It is a completely imagined world where anything can happen and is only limited by the author's imagination. The characters can also have the ability to jump between two worlds.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> For example, in C.S Lewis's ''The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'', the characters are able to Narnia from England through a magical wardrobe.
Other worlds are an imaginative creation by the author of a place that is nothing like earth. It is a completely imagined world where anything can happen and is only limited by the author's imagination. The characters can also have the ability to jump between two worlds.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> For example, in C.S Lewis's ''The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'', the characters are able to go to Narnia from England through a magical wardrobe.


Universal themes are also needed. The most basic of these is good versus evil. There's always a good guy trying to fight for what is right against the powerful force of a bad guy.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/>  For example, in the Harry Potter series the good and evil could be Harry and Voldemort. Other themes include Love and Friendship, Death, Isolation, etc.  
Universal themes are also needed. The most basic of these is good versus evil. There's always a good guy trying to fight for what is right against the powerful force of a bad guy.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/>  For example, in the Harry Potter series the good and evil could be Harry and Voldemort. Other themes include love and friendship, death, isolation, etc.  
Special character types are abundant in fantasies. Some examples are fairies, giants, ogres, dragons, witches, unicorns and centaurs. A good author can shape the character in such a way that the reader has no problem believing that such a being could exist.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/>  
Special character types are abundant in fantasies. Some examples are fairies, giants, ogres, dragons, witches, unicorns and centaurs. An author can shape the character in such a way that the reader has no problem believing that such a being could exist.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/>  


The use of talking animals or [anthropomorphism] in fantasy stories can be used for several purposes. Sometimes the animals can talk to humans, as in James in the ''Giant Peach'' or ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. Then sometimes the animals only talk amongst each other and are incapable of talking with humans, as in ''Charlotte's Web'', ''Redwall''or ''Rabbit Hill''. The need and use for communication is prevalent in both types.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/>
The use of talking animals or [anthropomorphism] in fantasy stories can be used for several purposes. Sometimes the animals can talk to humans, as in James in the ''Giant Peach'' or ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. Then sometimes the animals only talk amongst each other and are incapable of talking with humans, as in ''Charlotte's Web'', ''Redwall''or ''Rabbit Hill''. The need and use for communication is prevalent in both types.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/>
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Fantastic objects help the characters perform their task. Many times these objects become almost a character in themselves. Many times characters need such an object to make themselves complete.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> In Harry Potter, J. K Rowling writes, “…the wand chooses the wizard.” The wand has emotions and can feel, making it a character. Also in the series, The Sorting Hat chooses the house to which each wizard or witch belongs.
Fantastic objects help the characters perform their task. Many times these objects become almost a character in themselves. Many times characters need such an object to make themselves complete.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> In Harry Potter, J. K Rowling writes, “…the wand chooses the wizard.” The wand has emotions and can feel, making it a character. Also in the series, The Sorting Hat chooses the house to which each wizard or witch belongs.


Because mythology also consists of monsters and creatures and magic. The two lie very close together when it comes to contents and themes. Tolkien borrowed a lot from mythology when he built Middle-Earth, using Nordic, Germanic, and archaic English myths and legends.<ref>Penn, Joanna. " Writing Fantasy: A Short Guide To The Genre". 2013. Web. 7 July 2015. < http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/06/27/writing-fantasy/ >.</ref>
Mythology also consists of monsters, creatures, and magic. The two lie very close together when it comes to contents and themes. Tolkien borrowed a lot from mythology when he built Middle-Earth, using Nordic, Germanic, and archaic English myths and legends.<ref>Penn, Joanna. " Writing Fantasy: A Short Guide To The Genre". 2013. Web. 7 July 2015. < http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/06/27/writing-fantasy/ >.</ref>


=Types of Fantasy=
=Types of Fantasy=
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===High Fantasy===
===High Fantasy===
[[File:The Ring.jpg|thumb|Left|The Ring]]
 


High Fantasies include characters such as dragons, elves, wizards and dwarfs that can be found in a secondary world. The plots are serious, and the main hero fights evil forces. Contemporary high fantasies either exclude the primary world, parallel the primary world with the secondary world, or have the hero enter the secondary world from the primary world through a portal.<ref>"High Fantasy." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fantasy&gt;.</ref> ''The Lord of the Rings'' is a high fantasy novel.<ref>"The Lord of the Rings." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings&gt;.</ref> The ring symbolizes power and evil; it was created by the The Dark Lord Sauron to rule over middle-earth.<ref>"Sauron." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron&gt;.</ref> It is more powerful than other power rings within the secondary world. The "Eye or Sauron" is a representation of darkness. The "Eye" is used to protect Mordor and give Lord Sauron the ability to see all.
High Fantasies include characters such as dragons, elves, wizards and dwarfs that can be found in a secondary world. The plots are serious, and the main hero fights evil forces. Contemporary high fantasies either exclude the primary world, parallel the primary world with the secondary world, or have the hero enter the secondary world from the primary world through a portal.<ref>"High Fantasy." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fantasy&gt;.</ref> ''The Lord of the Rings'' is a high fantasy novel.<ref>"The Lord of the Rings." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings&gt;.</ref> The ring symbolizes power and evil; it was created by the The Dark Lord Sauron to rule over middle-earth.<ref>"Sauron." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron&gt;.</ref> It is more powerful than other power rings within the secondary world. The "Eye or Sauron" is a representation of darkness. The "Eye" is used to protect Mordor and give Lord Sauron the ability to see all.
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===Heroic Fantasy===
===Heroic Fantasy===
[[File:FrodoB.jpg|thumb|Left|Frodo Baggins]]


[[File:The Ring.jpg|thumb|Left|The Ring]]
Heroic fantasies follow the hero's story within the secondary world. Most heroes are humble and reluctant to go on the journey. They learn, grow, and become self-aware along their trials and tribulations. Problems presented in the plot are those of the hero, not of the secondary or primary world.<ref>"Heroic Fantasy." <i>Heroic Fantasy</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeroicFantasy&gt;.</ref>  
Heroic fantasies follow the hero's story within the secondary world. Most heroes are humble and reluctant to go on the journey. They learn, grow, and become self-aware along their trials and tribulations. Problems presented in the plot are those of the hero, not of the secondary or primary world.<ref>"Heroic Fantasy." <i>Heroic Fantasy</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeroicFantasy&gt;.</ref>  
Frodo Baggins, from ''The Lord of the Rings'', battles alongside with wizards, dwarfs, and other creatures along the quest to destroy the "ring" in the fire of Mount Doom.<ref>"Frodo Baggins." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo_Baggins&gt;.</ref> The journey Frodo embarks on is a test of survival; he travels thousands of miles, on foot, escaping the black riders, and fighting off Sauron's men holding the only ring that controls middle earth. Throughout his journey, Frodo struggles with the decision to keep the ring for himself or have it destroyed.
Frodo Baggins, from ''The Lord of the Rings'', battles alongside with wizards, dwarfs, and other creatures along the quest to destroy the "ring" in the fire of Mount Doom.<ref>"Frodo Baggins." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. &lt;http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo_Baggins&gt;.</ref> The journey Frodo embarks on is a test of survival; he travels thousands of miles, on foot, escaping the black riders, and fighting off Sauron's men holding the only ring that controls middle earth. Throughout his journey, Frodo struggles with the decision to keep the ring for himself or have it destroyed.
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