Keely Flom

June 20, 2006

Genre Presentation: Fantasy

Fantasy: is a genre of art that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. The genre is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by overall look, feel, and theme of the individual work, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three (collectively known as speculative fiction).

As with other forms of speculative fiction, actions and events in fantasy very often differ from those possible in consensus reality. In many cases, especially in older works of fantasy but in many modern works as well, this is explained by means of divine intervention, magic, or other supernatural forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy

“The world of science fiction and fantasy is rich and varied. Often lumped together under the catchall term "speculative fiction," these two distinct genres encompass a number of sub-genres. Many who don't read sf/f are unaware that the two though close kin are very different. Isaac Asimov, once asked to explain the difference between science fiction and fantasy, replied that science fiction, given its grounding in science, is possible; fantasy, which has no grounding in reality, is not.”

http://www.sfsite.com/columns/amy26.htm

Fantasy: is also defined as Fancy; imagination; especially, a whimsical or fanciful conception; a vagary of the imagination; whim; caprice; humor; imagination unrestricted by reality.

http://webster-dictionary.org/definition/Fantasy

Related Genres: Science Fiction, Horror

Subgenres: Alternate history, Bangsian fantasy, Comic fantasy, Contemporary fantasy, Urban fantasy, Dark fantasy, Erotic fantasy, Fairytale fantasy, Heroic Fantasy, High fantasy, Historical fantasy, Juvenile fantasy, Low fantasy, Fantasy of manners, Romantic fantasy, Science fantasy, Series fantasy, Superhero fantasy, Sword and sorcery

Representational Genre: Drama or Dialogue and Narrator + Dialogue

Narrative Genre:  All of the four types of narrative genres can be presented in a fantasy story and majority of the time there is a mix of the story lines.

Examples:

Books – Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Fahrenheit 451 by  Ray Bradbury, Utopia by Sir Thomas More, Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini, and many more.

Movies – Star Wars, Labyrinth, Dragonheart, The NeverEnding Story, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Matrix, The Dark Crystal, The Wizard of Oz, Ghostbusters, and too many more to name .

Questions:

With all of the hysteria over J.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, do you think that the fantasy genre is becoming more popular among the masses or is it just a phase?

Do you think that this hysteria has sparked people to read more?  Just fantasy or all kinds of genres?

From Tish Adams: Why do we, as human beings, desire to believe in fantasy?

From Tish Adams: Do we, as adults, think of fantasy as being immature or childish?