Lesson 4: The Evolution of Fantasy Flashcards
List the main categories into which Russell divides fantasy.
- Animal Fantasy
- Toy Fantasy
- Eccentric Characters
- Enchanted Journeys
- Epic Fantasy
- Miniature Fantasy
- Time Slip Fantasy
- Supernatural and Horror Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Dystopias
Animal Fantasy:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Animal fantsies are those in which animals talk and behave like humans.
Ex. E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web”
Toy Fantasy:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Toy fantasy features toys or other inanimate objects coming to life and having adventures.
Ex. Carlo Collodi’s “The Adventures of Pinocchio”
Eccentric Characters:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Eccentric characters fantasy revolves around quirky and unconventional characters who embark on unusual adventures or quests. These stories often celebrate individuality and creativity.
Ex. Lewis Carroll’s “Alice Adventures in Wonderland”
Enchanted Journeys:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Enchanted journeys fantasy involves characters embarking on epic quests or journeys through magical or fantastical realms.
Ex. Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
Epic Fantasy:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Epic fantasy encompasses sprawling narratives set in richly detailed secondary worlds, often featuring epic quests, battles between good and evil, and complex mythologies.
Ex. C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia”
Miniature Fantasy:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Miniature fantasy features tiny or miniature worlds inhabited by small creatures or beings.
Ex. Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
Time Slip Fantasy:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Time slip fantasy involves characters traveling through time, either intentionally or accidentally, and experiencing adventures or challenges in different time periods.
Ex. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Supernatural and Horror Fantasy:
Give an overview and list at least one example
The supernatural in fantasy generally comes in the form of ghosts, vampires, zombies, and other supernatural apparitions when they intersect with our world.
Ex. Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline”
Science Fiction:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Science fiction explores speculative or futuristic concepts, often involving advanced technology, space exploration, or alternate realities.
Ex. Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game”
Dystopias:
Give an overview and list at least one example
Dystopian fiction portrays societies characterized by oppression, totalitarianism, or other forms of social or political control.
Ex. Lois Lowry’s “The Giver”
List the nine characteristics that Russell associates with good fantasy.
- Evocative Setting: Fantasy worlds should be richly imagined and vividly described, capturing the reader’s imagination and transporting them to another realm.
- Magical Elements: Fantasy often incorporates magical or supernatural elements that defy the laws of the real world, adding wonder and mystery to the narrative.
- Heroic Figures: Protagonists in fantasy literature often embody heroic qualities such as courage, resilience, and determination as they embark on epic quests or confront formidable challenges.
- Moral Conflict: Good fantasy explores moral dilemmas and ethical quandaries, challenging characters to make difficult choices and wrestle with the consequences of their actions.
- Interplay of Light and Dark: Fantasy frequently explores themes of light and dark, good and evil, presenting a nuanced portrayal of morality and the complexities of human nature.
- Sense of Wonder: Fantasy should inspire a sense of wonder and awe, captivating readers with its imaginative scope and limitless possibilities.
- Mythic Resonance: Fantasy often draws upon myths, legends, and folklore, tapping into archetypal themes and motifs that resonate across cultures and generations.
- Rich Symbolism: Fantasy is often rich in symbolism, using allegory and metaphor to explore deeper layers of meaning and provoke thought and reflection.
- Subcreation: Fantasy authors engage in the process of subcreation, inventing entire worlds, cultures, and languages that are internally consistent and coherent, fostering a sense of immersion and realism for the reader.
Define fantasy (in general)
Fantasy is a genre of fiction characterized by imaginative elements, often involving magical or supernatural phenomena, set in alternative worlds or containing elements that depart from reality.
Define allegory
Allegory is a literary device where characters, events, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral principles, often with a deeper symbolic meaning.
Define primary and secondary worlds
Tolkien differentiated the real world (Primary World) from the imaginary world that exists within the author’s mind (Secondary World).