We have gone through the endless meanings of fantasy and how fantasy plays a bigger role with other genres in existence today. Today we will be discussing the value of fantasy.
What do I mean when it comes to value? I mean the role and worth of this genre. Other genres tend to take on a more realistic touch than fantasy. Romance, comedy, historical, etc, tend to take place in a contemporary modern day world with phones, cars, satellite, etc.
This is usually considered the primary world in many fantasy genre stories like Narnia and Harry Potter. Harry living in 90's England and the Pevensies in an England during WWII. Both primary worlds have been realistically portrayed till the characters enter the secondary world (magical). Fantasy normally takes place in the secondary world or the fantastical world. Fantasy often does not need a primary world (non-magical world) to tell a great story (Lord of the Rings, Green Riders). In result, the value of fantasy is low in comparison to other genres, which primarily take place in a relatively real world.
Why? People can often relate to stories that take place in their own similar world or environment. A fantasy world is often hard to relate to and this has been one of the reasons that triggered many to criticize and devalue fantasy. People believed fantasy did more harm than good, but this is not true. In fact fantasy, like providing numerous genres, provides numerous themes that we can relate too.
Fantasy, first and foremost, has helped minds exercise their creativity and imagination. These tools are very useful in the real world for future inventions, social progress, and so on. Fantasy also provided a chance for people to temporarily escape the harshness of the real world. Above all, fantasy has produced numerous themes we can relate too.
Lord of the Rings and Star Wars both have the major plot of their story revolve around the events of WWII. Just think of Emperor Palpatine and Sauron as Hitler and the Nazis (stormtroopers, Nazguls/orcs). Historical events are not the only things this genre conveys. Harry Potter teaches people about the power of love and accepting death as a natural part of life. Potter books also deal heavily with discrimination. Once Upon a Time teaches that people are not black and white, and everyone deserves a chance at a happy ending as long as you do it in a way that doesn't hurt others.
I could go on and on, but I think the general idea has been covered. This is last and final part of the discussion on fantasy. We can talk further below on the genre of fantasy. Remember keep things civil.
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