What is the purpose of fantasy literature?

Question

...such as Lord of the Rings, the Narnia cycle, the Dark is Rising sequence, etc.

Do you read fantasy? Why do you read fantasy? Do you discuss it with friends or keep it your own.....dark....secret? :-)

-j.

Answer 1

I agree with several respondents here; the fantasy genre doesn't need justification. Tolkien created a whole world with its own geography, languages, history and myth, and on a huge scale.

David Eddings's later works seemed (as he also said himself) to be a self-indulgent exercise concerned not so much with the fantasy world he created but with the economics and politics of his countries. I found this boring, as he lost the magic of the earlier books. However, that is the beauty of the fantasy: each writer has his own imagination and the complete freedom to create his own universe like a god, and how effective it is is measured by the reader. I have read some fantasies where the worlds are so bleak and alien that I coudn't read on. I liked the second trilogy of Steven Donaldson's Illearth series; the first was too nightmarish for me, and I didn't like the world he created. Yet his Mordant's Need books were, to my mind, two of the most intelligent and unusual fantasy books I have ever read.

There are so many different genres within Fantasy that it is difficult to comment on them all, but they all share one theme: the Good overcoming the Evil. (Or even the Good-but-Flawed, etc.) There is always a Sauron, a Lord Voldemort, a Lord Foul, or at least a collective concept, and I think we like sometimes to escape this more complicated and relatively more monochrome world to ride dragons, fight with the good and achieve a stunning victory. Where else can we get the chance?

On a smaller scale - but not less imaginitive or accomplished - are what are called the children's fantasies like the Narnia Chronicles, the Chronicles of Prydain and the Dark is Rising. Much research and learning has shaped them, even the Harry Potter books, where J K Rowling has drawn on her knowledge of the classics. Who has not been delighted to recognise that Sirius is the name of the Dog Star; Knock Turn Alley breaks down to "nocturnally", and all the other snippets she drops in? Lloyd Alexander draws on Welsh myth for Prydain; Alan Garner, in his Weirdstone of Brisingamen and Moon of Gomrath, draws on British folklore and magic.

I enjoy a good fantasy when I just want a good, escapist read! At other times I'm immersed in social history, classics, translations and the occasional modern novel with a twist. I may or may not discuss it all with friends; it depends on whether they have read the same! (On the other hand, I'm not very interested in sci-fi, although I may not have found the right books yet.)

Answer 2

Briefly, I believe that Fantasy serves a purpose a little like that of mythology in our distant past: by magnifying reality, and re-contextualising humanity, you allow for a deeper exploration of our lives, and alternative views of our past, present and future.

By rendering reality in a more palatable fashion, Fantasy can make it easier to face the world as it is - essentially it IS escapism, but the best fantasy offers something far more complex and psychologically beneficial than that.

I also find, on a personal level, that Fantasy authors can produce some of the most amazing fiction - having created complex imagery, characters and worlds unique to themselves, or re-creating worlds long-gone, they demonstrate a unique skill not required in other fiction.

Many of my friends read Fantasy, but I generally don't bring it up with people I don't know well, basically to avoid this little rant here :) I hate having to defend the legitimacy of Fantasy as a genre, and as literature.

Em

Answer 3

Some of it is religious allegory. Some of it is a way for the writer to tackle a political or social issue in our "real" world in an indirect way, so as to keep from alienating potential readers. And some of it is just good old escapism.

Of course I read it. It's the oldest form of literature, and the best fantasy writers compare favorably to the best writers in any other genre. I discuss it with friends who are also interested in it.

Answer 4

Do I detect a disapproving tone in your question? What is the purpose of reading any genre of literature? To be entertained, to learn something, to discover human nature, to enjoy a conflict and its resolution. Fantasy is almost always an epic adventure featuring a conflict between good and evil. Narnia is particularly interesting, as C.S. Lewis is writing an allegory for the struggles of Christ. In any case the forces of good usually triumph and that alone is a good lesson for young readers.

Answer 5

I purpose of fantasy literature is to think beyond the realms of reality it's an escape to a different world. I love reading fantasy. Yes most of my friends know I do.

Answer 6

The simple answer - it's fun.

Books like Harry Potter, Narnia, King Fortis the Brave and Eragon are fun to read.

No dark secret there

Answer 7

It's not just escapism, it's so much more than that. In my opinion, GOOD fantasy is definitely allegorical (of course, I'm sure that stems from my own fascination with religion, etc.)

I read a very limited amount of fantasy. To be honest, I read most contemporary fantasy because my husband passes it to me and says, 'You've gotta read this!' (Even if I don't particularly enjoy the book, it gives us something to discuss outside of our everyday lives.)

I definitely discuss what I read with my friends, as I belong to a group of 'D&D geeks' - there's no shame in reading fantasy when your buddies spend their time rolling dice to slay imaginary dragons. LOL

Answer 8

It stimulates the imagination and probably serves a similar purpose to religion in that it gives us a taste of other worlds (no wonder fantasy freaks get like religious fanatics!)

Yes I love fantasy; it fulfils some deep inner need in me. I only discuss it with other people who are into fantasy; other people just don't get it.

Answer 9

I like to read fantasy because it's completely out of the norm. Better than facing reality 24/7.

Answer 10

It's a form of temporary escape into another world. You can try to hide it but there's always that part of you that needs to get lost in your own world for a while. If I know somebody likes SF&F (science fiction and fantasy for those who don't know) I like to discuss it with them.