Fantasy genre study

Fantasy- a style or category, used to group similar works of art, music, literature, film.

e.g. romance, horror, science fiction, thriller, comedy western,

stories with elements that violates the natural physical laws of our know world

rules

fantastic elements cannot be employed casually

authors no only create a new set of physical laws but they must then conform unerringly to them.

Not just make belief

Critics hold this genre to the same basic critical standards as they do other genres. For instance,
modern fantasy must have strong, believable characters and they should examine issues of the
human condition, or universal themes that apply to all audiences.

Perhaps the most common theme of fantasy is good versus evil and what it takes to stand up against
people who do bad things.

Fantasy isn’t nonsense.

Nonsense

• It contradicts rules of logic. It doesn’t make logical sense.

• It can make fun of conventional behavior.

• It can help readers understand the difference between what is sensible and not sensible in
the real world.

Unconventional

• It is unusual. Not normal. This may be odd or strange, but it may still be reasonable.

• When literature breaks conventions, it helps us to rethink what we thought was normal.
 Fantasy

• Not possible in the world as we know it. But it follows rules within the limits of the fantasy
world the author has created.

• Fantasies provide metaphors through which we can examine aspects of life from a different
perspective.

Low fantasy and high fantasy

‘High fantasy’ refers to texts set in an entirely different world where there is no trace of our own. For
example, Lord of the Rings is set in Middle Earth, a land of different continents and places that we do
not recognize. The word ‘high’ is used as this is often perceived to be the more difficult version of
fantasy to write as authors must create entire worlds or universes with different rules.

‘Low fantasy’ is the opposite: texts that are set in our own, recognisable world, but incorporating
fantastic elements

What makes it fantasy

Genres are often defined by their characteristics, the similar elements that each text utilizes or
explores. For example, a text being science fiction is likely to incorporate some of the following:
robots, advanced technology, space travel, aliens, other planets, etc.

Element of the Genre – Alternate Worlds

Alternate worlds are common in fantasy. Texts that feature other places or lands that we do not
recognise are using this element of the genre. Many fantasy texts incorporate a map of some kind,
helping audiences to navigate the new and unfamiliar environment that the characters inhabit.

Element of the Genre – Imaginary Worlds

Imaginary worlds are a bit different to alternate worlds.

A common element of fantasy texts are characters travelling to imaginary or made up

worlds, places their own mind has invented.
 Element of the Genre – Magic

Magic is fantasy literature's most basic element. In fact, most of the other elements of the
genre is usually linked to magic to some degree. Magic is often a part of the setting, or
characters, explaining otherwise inexplicable events, places and abilities.

Importantly, magic often has rules or limitations, systems that govern how it can be used.
Otherwise it is too powerful and can make the story feel contrived.

Element of the Genre – Herosim

 The hero’s journey is a common fantasy plot or element. Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth
identified the pattern of the hero’s quest. Review its stages below:

 The Ordinary World

 The Call to Adventure

 Refusal of the Call

 Meeting with the Mentor

 Crossing the First Threshold

 Tests, Allies and Enemies

 Approach to the Inmost Cave

 The Ordeal

 The Reward

 The Road Back

 Resurrection

Return with the Elixir

Element of the Genre – Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is the literary term for giving an animal, plant or object human
characteristics.

Think of this as an extended form of personification. Instead of comparing or likening the

actions of something to things humans can do, anthropomorphism goes further and turns
that animal, plant or object into a character with life of their own.
 Element of the Genre – Fantastic Beasts

 Fantastic beasts or mythological creatures are another common element of fantasy.

Audiences are often intrigued by animals that don’t exist in our world and these creatures
add to the uniqueness of the world within the fantasy text.

 Some creatures, such as dragons and unicorns, are common to fantasy and have survived
from traditional stories.

 Others, like vampires, have a distinct origin point or a text that we can associate them with.

Element of the Genre – Races and Cultures

Particularly in high fantasy (but also some low fantasy texts), the world is usually inhabited
by characters that aren’t always human.