FantFantasyasyFantFantasyasy

ELE 616 Research in Children’s LiteratureFall 2009

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 22

Defining fantasy 1Defining fantasy 1Defining fantasy 1Defining fantasy 1 • Definition: Definition: Fantasy is Fantasy is about elves and about elves and fairiesfairies – Wouldn’t it be great if

we could say that one definition covered it all? But we can’t. Elves and fairies also run amok in children’s stories. Then there are dragons and wizards and a host of other beings that could be included in the framework of fantasy

• The Complete Guide to Writing FantasyForeword by Darin Park

• Definition: Definition: Fantasy is Fantasy is about elves and about elves and fairiesfairies – Wouldn’t it be great if

we could say that one definition covered it all? But we can’t. Elves and fairies also run amok in children’s stories. Then there are dragons and wizards and a host of other beings that could be included in the framework of fantasy

• The Complete Guide to Writing FantasyForeword by Darin Park

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 33

• Definition: Definition: Fantasy is Fantasy is historicalhistorical – That could very well be

true. A great number of fantasies, including Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, could fall into the historical category. But there are endless possibilities for modern day fantasies, or fantasies that don’t even include an announced time period.

• Foreword by Darin Park

• Definition: Definition: Fantasy is Fantasy is historicalhistorical – That could very well be

true. A great number of fantasies, including Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, could fall into the historical category. But there are endless possibilities for modern day fantasies, or fantasies that don’t even include an announced time period.

• Foreword by Darin Park

Defining fantasy Defining fantasy 22Defining fantasy Defining fantasy 22

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 44Defining Defining fantasy 3fantasy 3Defining Defining fantasy 3fantasy 3

• Definition: Fantasy is Definition: Fantasy is all magicall magic

– Fantasy does include the use of magic. But what about worlds where magic doesn’t exist? What if it’s a world like our own without science or magic, and people and beasts of all sizes and characteristics inhabit this world? Is it science fiction? Is that the qualifying ingredient? Magic? Even though that would make a nice generic definition to finally label our elusive “fantasy” category, unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

• Foreword by Darin Park

• Definition: Fantasy is Definition: Fantasy is all magicall magic

– Fantasy does include the use of magic. But what about worlds where magic doesn’t exist? What if it’s a world like our own without science or magic, and people and beasts of all sizes and characteristics inhabit this world? Is it science fiction? Is that the qualifying ingredient? Magic? Even though that would make a nice generic definition to finally label our elusive “fantasy” category, unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

• Foreword by Darin Park

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 55

• Fantasy - ExplainedFantasy - Explained – Loosely, fantasy is an applied

mythology, a creation in the mind of an author of worlds or events that could not possibly exist in the scientific realm. There is the tendency to create a sort of mixed breed with stories such as “Star Wars” where there are laser wielding aliens and druids with some sort of magical force. But on the whole, science fiction and fantasy usually has a line of demarcation.

• Foreword by Darin Park

• Fantasy - ExplainedFantasy - Explained – Loosely, fantasy is an applied

mythology, a creation in the mind of an author of worlds or events that could not possibly exist in the scientific realm. There is the tendency to create a sort of mixed breed with stories such as “Star Wars” where there are laser wielding aliens and druids with some sort of magical force. But on the whole, science fiction and fantasy usually has a line of demarcation.

• Foreword by Darin Park

Defining fantasy Defining fantasy 44Defining fantasy Defining fantasy 44

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 66

A famous A famous fantasy titlefantasy titleA famous A famous fantasy titlefantasy title

• Chronicles of Narnia– In C.S. Lewis’ The

Chronicles of Narnia we meet children from our own world who end up, under various circumstances, in a different world: Narnia. In Narnia they meet talking animals, fauns, centaurs, unicorns, and other slightly mythological creatures. And they meet Aslan - he who brought them into that world, because of the need for them there and then, and who provides support when they try to help out in critical situations.

• Chronicles of Narnia– In C.S. Lewis’ The

Chronicles of Narnia we meet children from our own world who end up, under various circumstances, in a different world: Narnia. In Narnia they meet talking animals, fauns, centaurs, unicorns, and other slightly mythological creatures. And they meet Aslan - he who brought them into that world, because of the need for them there and then, and who provides support when they try to help out in critical situations.

Indians in Indians in fantasyfantasyIndians in Indians in fantasyfantasy

• Indian in the Indian in the CupboardCupboard

• Indian in the Indian in the CupboardCupboard

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 77

An Interview With Myself

More fantasy More fantasy IndiansIndiansMore fantasy More fantasy IndiansIndians• Peter Pan

– On the trail of the pirates, stealing noiselessly down the war- path, which is not visible to inexperienced eyes, come the redskins, every one of them with his eyes peeled. They carry tomahawks and knives, and their naked bodies gleam with paint and oil. Strung around them are scalps, of boys as well as of pirates, for these are the Piccaninny tribe, and not to be confused with the softer-hearted Delawares or the Hurons.

• Chapter 5 THE ISLAND COME TRUE

• Peter Pan– On the trail of the pirates, stealing

noiselessly down the war- path, which is not visible to inexperienced eyes, come the redskins, every one of them with his eyes peeled. They carry tomahawks and knives, and their naked bodies gleam with paint and oil. Strung around them are scalps, of boys as well as of pirates, for these are the Piccaninny tribe, and not to be confused with the softer-hearted Delawares or the Hurons.

• Chapter 5 THE ISLAND COME TRUE

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 88

A sequel to A sequel to Peter Peter PanPanA sequel to A sequel to Peter Peter PanPan

• Written by the children's author Written by the children's author Geraldine McCaughrean, the , the book follows the reunited book follows the reunited “League of Pan” as it encounters “League of Pan” as it encounters Mr Ravello’s circus and engages Mr Ravello’s circus and engages in treasure hunts and adventures in treasure hunts and adventures every bit as exciting as the every bit as exciting as the original outings.original outings.– A darker side of Neverland is reveal

ed By Robert ColvilePublished: 12:01AM BST 31 Aug 2006

• Written by the children's author Written by the children's author Geraldine McCaughrean, the , the book follows the reunited book follows the reunited “League of Pan” as it encounters “League of Pan” as it encounters Mr Ravello’s circus and engages Mr Ravello’s circus and engages in treasure hunts and adventures in treasure hunts and adventures every bit as exciting as the every bit as exciting as the original outings.original outings.– A darker side of Neverland is reveal

ed By Robert ColvilePublished: 12:01AM BST 31 Aug 2006

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 99

Debbie Reese on Geraldine McCaughrean’s

Peter Pan in Scarlet

Elves Elves and and Native Native AmericaAmericans?ns?

Elves Elves and and Native Native AmericaAmericans?ns?

• Elfquest– If Elfquest is about nothing else, it

is about its artwork. Created by writer/artist Wendy Pini to look like no other comic book or illustrated tale, the art of Elfquest uniquely combines qualities traditionally ascribed to female artists, such as fluidity and expressiveness, with other qualitites generally given to male artists, such as mass and power.

• Elfquest– If Elfquest is about nothing else, it

is about its artwork. Created by writer/artist Wendy Pini to look like no other comic book or illustrated tale, the art of Elfquest uniquely combines qualities traditionally ascribed to female artists, such as fluidity and expressiveness, with other qualitites generally given to male artists, such as mass and power.

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 1010

What is the What is the point of point of fantasy, fantasy, though?though?

What is the What is the point of point of fantasy, fantasy, though?though?

• Escapist Escapist literature? Or literature? Or not?not?

• Escapist Escapist literature? Or literature? Or not?not?

April 21, 2023FantasyFantasy 1111