Week Four - Filip

Is Tolkien’s notion of the ‘faery story’ linked to fantasy genre? How closely?

Tolkien’s notion of the faery story highlights the presence of magic. ‘but it is magic of a peculiar mood and power, at the furthest pole from the vulgar devices of the laborious, scientific, magician.’

I find this explanation of a faery story almost indiscernible from common descriptions of fantasy. But there is a word which gives a different nuance here – ‘peculiar’. This sense of strangeness the magic is supposed to carry is fantasy of the exceptionally fantastical. Distant from science fiction or realism as would be allowed.



What parallels can you find between A Wizard of Earthsea and the Harry Potter franchise? What other influences does Burn (2005) suggest for Harry Potter?

A key parallel between A Wizard and Earthsea I find is the establishment of a relatively mundane life for the lead characters until magic is introduced. Another, found by Burn (20050, is the mentorship in each story.



How does the fantasy genre relate to modern media such as video games?

Burn (2005) relates the ‘bolder, simpler structures of folktale narratives, in which two-dimensional heroes, unencumbered by psychology, battle external forces.’ Along with training sequences, this brings to focus a common basis of action between the fantasy genre and video games.



Why does the religious right in the US condemn fantasy, according to Cockrell (2004)? On what grounds does Cockrell defend fantasy literature, using Harry Potter as an example?

The religious protests against Harry Potter profess a fear of the occult. ‘Another prevailing belief among fundamentalist parents is that fantasy equals deceit’

This was an entertaining and clever article, poking fun at a fear-mongering ‘ex-witch’ - ‘”...books by J. K. Rowling teach witchcraft! I know this because I was once very much a part of that world,” – a career path she blamed on the 1960’s.’

Much of the defense against fundamentalists is based around the problems imposed by the fundamentalists themselves. Recounting a scene in the Harry Potter movie where Harry casts spells on his aunt, Cockrell quips ‘This may be an unsettling example for parents already feeling their control over their children being snatched away daily.’ And speaks volumes about how religious people use Harry Potter as a channel for their problems, while making money off it, too.

‘Deploring Harry Potter is big business’ Remarks Cockrell to an advertisement for anti-Harry Potter videos.