Attebery uses stories from other
authors to define what he believes the different definitions of fantasy are.
The authors and stories that he looks at to define fantasy are J.R.R Tolkien
(The Lord of The Rings), C.S Lewis (Narnia) Lewis Carol (Alice in Wonderland)
and Kevin Grahame (The Wind in the Willows). These authors touch on themes throughout the books such as
Gothicism, science fiction, and utopia. These themes all tap into
characteristics of fantasy which helps Attebery to define what fantasy is.
Attebery uses W.R Irwin as an
example for one of his definitions of fantasy. Irwin has suggested that
something that seems to be ordinary and familiar can sometimes be distorted to
create a fictional world. The fiction and magic of the seemingly ordinary
object or person challenges the everyday ’norm’ that we are use to seeing and
brings out a fantasy that seems impossible to us as humans. This can happen to
the degree that the reader begins to believe that these odds can in-fact come
true. This happens in Narnia when a seemingly normal wardrobe becomes the path
to another fictional world and readers can begin to believe that a wardrobe is
the entrance to a fictional world in reality.
Another definition of fantasy is
that it needs consistency. The reader and writer need to maintain a consistent
illusion for the entire course of the story. Tolken mentions this consistency
as ‘secondary belief’. Fantasy must stay consistent in order for the reader to
escape from everyday live through fantasy. It must be dependable to stay
believable to the reader and so that chapters in the story make sense without
the storyline going off-track and no longer making sense. Persistent stories
also allow for sequels to books such as Harry Potter, Archipelago
Earth Sea and The Lord of the Rings.
Fantasy allows to reader to guess
what may happen in the storyline as it is set in a fictional world and the
possibilities of the story are much more unlimited. For example in Earth Sea
the reader does not know who will survive battles and if Ged will survive the
missions he goes on. The storyline keeps to audience on edge, as they do not
know what is going to happen. Fantasy helps to arouse curiosity by making the
impossible seem a reality. This is because fantasy can be
based off real life or every day events. For example Ged was a regular young
boy who worked as a blacksmith for his father. This everyday activity then grew
into a fantasy world and story and the reader was left to guess what was going
to happen to Ged next.
One of my favourite ways that
Attebury describes fantasy is by saying, “Line up a shelf of books and say
“there this is what I mean by fantasy” Attebury (1980). Here he is referring to
his favourite fantasy books and I think that this quote sums up how individuals
can define fantasy so differently from one another, and how different genres
such a science fiction and Gothicism can make up what each individual believes
fantasy is.
Finally Attebery describes
fantasy to be anything that creates stories, tales and images such as dragons,
witches, and people fighting against evil by beating them with spells or wands.
This is because fantasy treats these impossibilities without any doubt or
hesitation.
I find it fascinating that fantasy can be so broad
and interpreted differently by everyone through the many themes and genres that
can make up fantasy.
Attebury, B. (1980). Locating Fantasy. In the
Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guinn (pp.2-9).
Bloomington: Indiana
Great summary of Attebury's definition. I agree with your statement that every individual has their own definition of what fantasy is and that Attebury can show his book shelf and we can see what types of story themes are present and find out that those are what he means by fantasy. I suppose I have the 'traditional' notion of fantasy too. Things like magic, mythical creatures and worlds filled with things that can't exist in my perceived reality is what I would define as fantasy. If I can only make it happen in side my head, it's fantasy basically haha. And I think that fantasy essentially does need that factor of almost always surprising the readers in a way that they can't encounter in real life. Fantasy is an escape route from real life after all.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteGreat point of view for defining fantasy. I think that you have touched on some really good points as to how Attebury defines what fantaasy is. I like that you have drawn on examples such as Lord of the rings and Narnia, as it shows the meaning of fantasy to you. I think that fantsy allows you to think outside of the norm and draw conclusions as to what you want to happen within a story and how that may be achieved. Really good insight into your post :)