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[[Image:Rubens.jpg|thumb|The [[Iliad]], Achilles and Hector By Rubens]]Fantasy, a [[genre]] of [[narrative]] [[fiction]], originates from supernatural elements, like magic. Although sometimes coupled with the [[science fiction]] genre, fantasy deals with elements thought to be generally impossible.<ref name="Fantasy Literature">Kelleghan, Fiona. Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy Literature. Pasadena, Calif: Salem Press, 2002. eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 1 July 2015.</ref> In comparison, science fiction deals with elements that have not been proven but could potentially happen. | [[Image:Rubens.jpg|thumb|The [[Iliad]], Achilles and Hector By Rubens]]Fantasy, a [[genre]] of [[narrative]] [[fiction]], originates from supernatural elements, like magic. Although sometimes coupled with the [[science fiction]] genre, fantasy deals with elements thought to be generally impossible.<ref name="Fantasy Literature">Kelleghan, Fiona. Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy Literature. Pasadena, Calif: Salem Press, 2002. eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 1 July 2015.</ref> In comparison, science fiction deals with elements that have not been proven but could potentially happen. | ||
The earlier works of fantasy, such as the [[Iliad]] and the [[Odyssey]], contributed prominent elements to the modern day genre, such as themes of transformation and journeys to exotic lands. | The earlier works of fantasy, such as the [[Iliad]] and the [[Odyssey]], contributed prominent elements to the modern day genre, such as themes of transformation and journeys to exotic lands. Because of its lengthy and rich heritage, fantasy is believed to be the antecedent of other literary genres.<ref name="Fantasy Literature"/> | ||
Fantasy is notable as the only form of literature that consistently blurs the boundaries between adult fiction and children’s fiction.<ref>Sanchez, Matt. "Genre Fiction As Literature - Fantasy - Page 2." ''Genre Fiction As Literature'' - Fantasy - Page 2. 2005. Web. 2 July 2015. <http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring05/Sanchez/fantasy2.htm></ref> In recent years, fantasy has conquered box offices and best seller lists. Novels and novel based films, like the ''Harry Potter'' and the ''Lord of the Rings'' series, have made the genre popular in modern culture. Fantasy also plays a major role in the video gaming world. Players have the potential ability to write their own storylines through interactions within different games. | Fantasy is notable as the only form of literature that consistently blurs the boundaries between adult fiction and children’s fiction.<ref>Sanchez, Matt. "Genre Fiction As Literature - Fantasy - Page 2." ''Genre Fiction As Literature'' - Fantasy - Page 2. 2005. Web. 2 July 2015. <http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring05/Sanchez/fantasy2.htm></ref> In recent years, fantasy has conquered box offices and best seller lists. Novels and novel based films, like the ''Harry Potter'' and the ''Lord of the Rings'' series, have made the genre popular in modern culture. Fantasy also plays a major role in the video gaming world. Players have the potential ability to write their own storylines through interactions within different games. | ||
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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>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 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. | ||
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 | 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 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe the characters are able 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 | 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 | 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"/> | ||
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 | 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"/> | ||
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 | 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> | 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> | ||
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===Portal=== | ===Portal=== | ||
Portal fantasy begins with a magical doorway connecting two worlds separated by space and time. The hero passes through a portal, willingly, or is summoned to the other world. Plots usually consist of the protagonist trying to return home.<ref> "Portal Fantasy." Best Fantasy Books. Web. 7 July 2015 http://bestfantasybooks.com/portal-fantasy.html</ref>However, this is not always the case. In ''Harry Potter'', the main characters prefer to be in the magical world versus the Muggle world. | Portal fantasy begins with a magical doorway connecting two worlds separated by space and time. The hero passes through a portal, willingly, or is summoned to the other world. Plots usually consist of the protagonist trying to return home.<ref name="Portal Fantasy"> "Portal Fantasy." Best Fantasy Books. Web. 7 July 2015. <http://bestfantasybooks.com/portal-fantasy.html>.</ref>However, this is not always the case. In ''Harry Potter'', the main characters prefer to be in the magical world versus the Muggle world. | ||
In portal fantasy, travel to different places and to different times is possible. In ''Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'' by Ranson Riggs, one of the main characters travels back in time to 1940. | In portal fantasy, travel to different places and to different times is possible. In ''Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'' by Ranson Riggs, one of the main characters travels back in time to 1940. | ||
Portal fantasies are often about ensuring that multiple worlds stay divided.<ref | Portal fantasies are often about ensuring that multiple worlds stay divided.<ref name="Portal Fantasy"/> In the ''Harry Potter'' series, it is a priority that Muggles have no idea the wizard world exists. Ultimately, portal fantasy is a versatile and an open-ended genre where anything is possible.<ref name="Portal Fantasy"/> | ||
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===Folklore=== | ===Folklore=== | ||
Folklore comes from tales passed down by word of mouth. It is made up of informal expressions passed around long enough to have become recurrent in form and content, but changeable in performance.<ref>Grey, Elspeth. "Folklore: An Appeal to Fantasy Authors to Get It Right." That Character Dies. 16 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 July 2015. <https://thatcharacterdies.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/folklore-an-appeal-to-fantasy-authors-to-get-it-right/>.</ref> This sub-genre consist of myths, legends, fables, and fairy tales. | Folklore comes from tales passed down by word of mouth. It is made up of informal expressions passed around long enough to have become recurrent in form and content, but changeable in performance.<ref name="Grey Folklore">Grey, Elspeth. "Folklore: An Appeal to Fantasy Authors to Get It Right." That Character Dies. 16 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 July 2015. <https://thatcharacterdies.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/folklore-an-appeal-to-fantasy-authors-to-get-it-right/>.</ref> This sub-genre consist of myths, legends, fables, and fairy tales. | ||
A myth is that which occurs in time-out-of-time. It is concerned with why the world is the way it is and unfolds in a setting that is distinct from time or place as it is currently recognized.<ref | A myth is that which occurs in time-out-of-time. It is concerned with why the world is the way it is and unfolds in a setting that is distinct from time or place as it is currently recognized.<ref name="Grey Folklore"/> Myths are stories from every culture that, for centuries, have explained natural phenomena and answered questions people have about the human condition; origin and creation stories, stories about life, death, and life after death.<ref>"The Fable, Folktale, Myth, Legend: Differences and Examples-Video and Lesson Transcript." Study.com. 2003-2015. Web. 7 July 2015. http://study.com/academy/lesson/the-fable-folktale-myth-legend-differences-and-examples.html</ref> | ||
Legend occurs in “historical time” although it typically mixes fact with fiction. Usually, with legends, there is doubt about its credibility. They are unexplained tales warped by the human imagination. A legend can be either about a person or a place. For example, King Arthur, Robin Hood, Atlantis are all types of legends. | Legend occurs in “historical time” although it typically mixes fact with fiction. Usually, with legends, there is doubt about its credibility. They are unexplained tales warped by the human imagination. A legend can be either about a person or a place. For example, King Arthur, Robin Hood, Atlantis are all types of legends. | ||
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Fables are described as a didactic lesson given through some sort of animal story.<ref>"Fable-Definition and Examples of Fable." Literary Devices. 15 Feb. 2014. Web. 7 July 2015. http://literarydevices.net/fable/</ref> In Western society, the most common fables are by Aesop, consisting of short stories like The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Ant and the Grasshopper. | Fables are described as a didactic lesson given through some sort of animal story.<ref>"Fable-Definition and Examples of Fable." Literary Devices. 15 Feb. 2014. Web. 7 July 2015. http://literarydevices.net/fable/</ref> In Western society, the most common fables are by Aesop, consisting of short stories like The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Ant and the Grasshopper. | ||
Fairytales are short stories, typically with no author. It is still recognizable despite many variations of the story. A fairytale is similar to myths, legends and fables. It can be either told orally or in text. The content of the story can be historical, and usually has a moral lesson. Fairytales typically feature European folkloric fantasy characters, such as dwarfs, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, mermaids, trolls, or witches, and magic or enchantments.<ref>"Fairy Tale." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 5 July 2015. Web. 7 July 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_tale</ref> These type of stories withstand long periods of time because they are an embodiment of a culture, contain fundamental human truths by which people have lived for centuries, or they are simply entertaining.<ref>http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/Folk_lit.htm</ref> | Fairytales are short stories, typically with no author. It is still recognizable despite many variations of the story. A fairytale is similar to myths, legends and fables. It can be either told orally or in text. The content of the story can be historical, and usually has a moral lesson. Fairytales typically feature European folkloric fantasy characters, such as dwarfs, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, mermaids, trolls, or witches, and magic or enchantments.<ref>"Fairy Tale." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 5 July 2015. Web. 7 July 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_tale</ref> These type of stories withstand long periods of time because they are an embodiment of a culture, contain fundamental human truths by which people have lived for centuries, or they are simply entertaining.<ref>Chen, Chi-Fen Emily. "Folk Literature." Folk Literature. Web. 8 July 2015. <http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/Folk_lit.htm>.</ref> | ||
===Magic Realism=== | ===Magic Realism=== | ||
Magical realism is a subgenre of fantasy that fuses realistic fiction with magical elements that creates a mythical perception of the real world. Alejo Carpentier refers to magical realism as “unexpected alteration of reality … and unaccustomed insight that is singularly favored by the unexpected richness or an amplification of the scales categories of reality”.<ref>"Magical Realism." Magical Realism. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/magical.htm></ref> Unlike most science fiction or fantasy genres, magical realism is not speculative.<ref | Magical realism is a subgenre of fantasy that fuses realistic fiction with magical elements that creates a mythical perception of the real world. Alejo Carpentier refers to magical realism as “unexpected alteration of reality … and unaccustomed insight that is singularly favored by the unexpected richness or an amplification of the scales categories of reality”.<ref name="Magic Realism">"Magical Realism." Magical Realism. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/magical.htm></ref> Unlike most science fiction or fantasy genres, magical realism is not speculative.<ref name="Magic Realism"/> Magical realists tell stories from a real world perspective, but the reader is to experience a different reality rather than the objective. <ref> | ||
Holland Rogers, Bruce. "What Is Magical Realism, Really?" Writing-World.com. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://www.writing-world.com/sf/realism.shtml></ref> | Holland Rogers, Bruce. "What Is Magical Realism, Really?" Writing-World.com. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://www.writing-world.com/sf/realism.shtml></ref> | ||
Magical realism does not use imaginary or unseen devices such as angels or ghosts to make the story fanatical. Magical realism stresses normal elements of the world. This type of setting is intended to make the reader feel as if they are in a different world. Readers can often view the reality in two different ways. With magical elements amplifying the state of mind of the reader, time and space are often challenged, and the identity is often broken.<ref | Magical realism does not use imaginary or unseen devices such as angels or ghosts to make the story fanatical. Magical realism stresses normal elements of the world. This type of setting is intended to make the reader feel as if they are in a different world. Readers can often view the reality in two different ways. With magical elements amplifying the state of mind of the reader, time and space are often challenged, and the identity is often broken.<ref name="Magic Realism"/> | ||