1) How is science fiction different from
fantasy, according to Le Guinn?
2) How does Attebery (1980) define Fantasy? Find at
least five definitions?
3) In what ways does Tax
(2002) suggest Earthsea may still be relevant today?
4) What are some archetypes that often recur in fantasy fiction? Give
examples from Earthsea and other fantasy works you might know.
5) In what way is The Wizard of Earthsea a ‘coming of age’ novel? Does it
escape from the ‘boy’s own adventure’ story? How are Ged’s adventures different
from Tintin’s?
According to Le Guinn (2005), science fiction and fantasy differ in terms of the structure of both genres. Le Guinn quotes that, "science fiction is a branch of realism." Meaning that a typical science fiction must have a plausible approach in the event showcased. This is in contrast to fantasy. As Le Guinn put it, fantasy is fictive. It is "far more direct in its fictionality than either realism or science fiction." This is due to the fact that it is written entirely from the imagination of the author.
ReplyDeleteLe Guin, U.K (2005). Plausability revisited.
A good start to understanding the differences.
DeleteIn what way is The Wizard of Earthsea a ‘coming of age’ novel? Does it escape from the ‘boy’s own adventure’ story? How are Ged’s adventures different from Tintin’s?
ReplyDeleteThe Wizard of Earthsea is very much a coming of age novel. Ged is a young man whom has powers but is not allowed to use them. He is forced to live in a village and become a blacksmith along side his father. Ged has bigger ideas and hopes for a brighter future. When Ged is brought back to life via a wizard is when the story really begins. The coming of age comes into play as Ged learns more about himself on his road to wizardry. Ged grows as a person, starts to realize his wants, goals and what he is destined to do. I personally do not believe that The Wizard of Earthseas escapes the boys own adventure genre. The adventure is very much his own regardless of the other wizards, monsters and people Ged comes across, the attention is never far from him. Ged's adventures are different form Tin Tin's because they're not based on anything historical. They're completely non-fiction and involve things that are even beyond us. In comparison to Tin-Tin Ged's adventures are far from being remotely realistic.
Yes. Good. The real difference between the character Tintin and Ged is that Ged undergoes internal struggles to grow and develop, whereas Tintin is of fixed character.
ReplyDeleteHow does Attebery (1980) define fantasy? Find at least five definitions.
ReplyDeleteAttebery(1980) cites other authors in his article to describe what he believes the definition(s) or meaning(s) of ‘Fantasy ‘.
The complexity and variety in which the term ‘Fantasy’ has been categorsied into meant that Attebery(1980) was unable to come to terms with a proper definition. Meaning that he had simplified the defenition by focusing on some of very popular works, such as; Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings, Lewis’ Narnia and Perelandra books and Graheme’s The Wind in the Willows. From here it was standard to decide whether or not to associate characteristics such as gothicism, science fiction and utopia with
‘Fantasy’ as it is something the popular works have in common.
One definition that Attebery (1980) has taken from W. R. Irwin which can be noted that what can be accepted as ‘fantasy’ is an overt violation of what we could consider or accept as a possibility. As this follows Irwin’s elaboration on the fact that we can consider the work a ‘fantasy’ if it is persuasive and shows the establishment of impossibility. Presupposing the reality of impossibility could appear true. Which to my understanding is the development of the idea that any narrative which demonstrates itself as fantasy is inclusive of at least impossible characters, events, and scenes such as fairies, fire breathing dragons, unicorns etc.
Attebery (1980) recognises and defines this as a significant part which is inclusive of some violation of what the author clearly believes to be natural law.
Fantasy is such a wide genre that it caters to the pleasure of the mind by adapting on the idea of impossibility. It is a genre which can take advantage of curiosity whilst we are exploring the unknown.
I think that fantasy is such a complex but pleasurable genre as it can be mentally challenging but also enticing as it captivates the imagination and makes you mentally think about what is possible beyond the impossible falsifying the absolute reality of it.
References:
Attebery, B.(1980) The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guin. Bloomigton: Indiana University Press
W. R. Irwin. (1976). The Game of the Impossible: A Rhetoric of Fantasy. Urbana, III.: University of Illinois Press
Quite well answered, but the five definitions are not clearly set out.
Delete