Week Three

How does Attebery (1980)define Fantasy? Find at least five definitions.

Fantasy can be defined in many different ways. Some may assume that fantasy is a structure, a state of mind, a form of science fiction or a technique. I believe that fantasy speaks to our desires. Most of us want to be something that is more than human. For example I have always wanted to have magical powers. Most of us enjoy some element of fantasy, this may be because we are somewhat dissatisfied with our human lives and want to break the law. 

Attebery firstly defines fantasy by naming some of his favorite books ‘Lord of the Rings, Wind and the Willows, and Princess and the Goblin’. He says 'perhaps the most satisfying way would be to line up a shelf of books and say "There. That is what I mean by fantasy"'. My bookshelf also has some fantasy such as Twilight, Vampire Diaries, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Attebery states that fantasy is somewhat expansive therefore certain elements need to be outlined to explain what fantasy is.  

Attebery states there are many ways that a fantasy novel can proclaim its fantasy nature. By this he means that it can involve beings whose existence is impossible, such as dragons, flying horses, vampires, wizards etc. Fantasy may also take the form around certain objects such as wands, hats and houses. Fantasy uses these objects, places or forms of humans without hesitation or doubt, which makes us, believe that maybe some day this may come true. Even though I know magic is not true and vampires are just a fantasy there is some part of me that wants to believe they are real. I believe Attebery wants readers to let go and embrace their imagination and enter in a world where wizards, dragons and magic is normal. 

Atterbery believes that fantasy needs consistency so that the writer and reader can continue to use their imagination and the illusion through the entire course of the novel. He believes that “fantasy invokes wonder by making the impossible seem familiar and familiar seem new and strange”. I agree with this statement because when we read fantasy we are exploring the unknown. We imagine a world where witches and magic seem normal. We only leave this world when we close the book and our imagination.    

Attebery also mentions that fairytales and folklore can be classed as fantasy. Although not all fantasy is a fairytale, all fairytales are a fantasy. For example if you were out hunting and saw a small bear you would tell your friends and family that day what you saw. But lets say 15 years down the track you tell your kids that you were out hunting and were chased by a 6 foot tall bear which had vicious teeth and looked rather hungry. Basic events that happen in your life can always be twisted and turned into some sort of fantasy. Tolkin says “fact became legend, legend became myth”. To discover what folklore or fairytales are just chuck on a Disney DVD and you will see that these fairytales have all turned into fantasies. 

Attebery also touches on the darker side of fairytales. If you look at well-known stories such as the Three Little Pigs, Goldie Locks, or Hansel and Gretel each story is actually quite shocking. Being torn to pieces for eating someone’s porridge or having your house blown down does not sound like any fantasy of mine. Not all fantasy is dark but I feel their needs to be some element of darkness to ad to the excitement of the story.