What is fantasy fiction?What is fantasy fiction?

Fantasy fictionFantasy fiction is a genre of writing in which the plot could not is a genre of writing in which the plot could not happen in real life (as we know it, at least). Often, the plot happen in real life (as we know it, at least). Often, the plot involves magic or witchcraft and takes place on another planet involves magic or witchcraft and takes place on another planet or in another — undiscovered — dimension of this world. Most or in another — undiscovered — dimension of this world. Most often the overall theme of the setting is medieval in tone, often the overall theme of the setting is medieval in tone, meaning that some combination of the architecture, clothing, meaning that some combination of the architecture, clothing, language, and technology resembles the European Middle language, and technology resembles the European Middle Ages. Many times, the plot also involves mythical creatures or Ages. Many times, the plot also involves mythical creatures or talking animals (that might wear clothes and live in houses), and talking animals (that might wear clothes and live in houses), and witches or sorcerers. witches or sorcerers. ((Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)

What is fantasy fiction?What is fantasy fiction?

Often, writers of fantasy fiction devote a series of books to the same world Often, writers of fantasy fiction devote a series of books to the same world or characters. Some of the most famous examples of fantasy fiction are or characters. Some of the most famous examples of fantasy fiction are The The Chronicles of NarniaChronicles of Narnia, , The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings, , His Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials (which (which begins with begins with The Golden CompassThe Golden Compass), and ), and The Wizard of EarthseaThe Wizard of Earthsea collections. collections. Note that the Note that the Harry PotterHarry Potter series also qualifies as fantasy fiction, even series also qualifies as fantasy fiction, even though the books take place on contemporary Earth. though the books take place on contemporary Earth.

Fantasy fiction is frequently confused with science fiction, which might Fantasy fiction is frequently confused with science fiction, which might incorporate some of the same tones and themes, but the plot of a science incorporate some of the same tones and themes, but the plot of a science fiction story will also rely on technology that is advanced beyond what we fiction story will also rely on technology that is advanced beyond what we know today. The know today. The Star WarsStar Wars movies are an example: Even though movies are an example: Even though Star WarsStar Wars is set in the past, takes place in another galaxy, and has mythical creatures is set in the past, takes place in another galaxy, and has mythical creatures as characters, the plot also centers on science (space travel, as well as as characters, the plot also centers on science (space travel, as well as weaponry and other technology that humankind has yet to invent). weaponry and other technology that humankind has yet to invent). Therefore, Therefore, Star WarsStar Wars is science fiction rather than fantasy. ( is science fiction rather than fantasy. (Fantasy of the Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)20th Century, 2001.)

The origins of fantasyThe origins of fantasy The OdysseyThe Odyssey

by Homer by Homer (circa 800BC) (circa 800BC) Homer's second epic poem, Homer's second epic poem, following on from following on from The IliadThe Iliad, is the , is the heroic tale of Odysseus and his heroic tale of Odysseus and his ten-year journey back to Greece ten-year journey back to Greece following the Trojan War. Gods, following the Trojan War. Gods, goddesses, nymphs, sirens and goddesses, nymphs, sirens and monsters make for a rousingly monsters make for a rousingly good tale of adventure with good tale of adventure with plenty of action and intrigue. plenty of action and intrigue. Scholarly debate still surrounds Scholarly debate still surrounds the work, but the beginnings of the work, but the beginnings of modern fantasy are definitely modern fantasy are definitely here.here.

Origins of fantasyOrigins of fantasy Beowulf Beowulf

Author Unknown Author Unknown (circa 700AD) (circa 700AD) Epic poem probably composed Epic poem probably composed during the Anglo-Saxon during the Anglo-Saxon settlement of England in the 7th settlement of England in the 7th century. Many of its key elements century. Many of its key elements - heroes, monsters, mythic - heroes, monsters, mythic theology - are quite common in theology - are quite common in religious writings. What sets religious writings. What sets Beowulf apart is that many Beowulf apart is that many believe it was composed for pure believe it was composed for pure entertainment, albeit with a entertainment, albeit with a decidedly Christian bent. Irish decidedly Christian bent. Irish poet Seamus Heaney's poet Seamus Heaney's translation (2000) was a surprise translation (2000) was a surprise bestseller.bestseller.

Origins of fantasyOrigins of fantasy Inferno Inferno

by Dante Alighieri by Dante Alighieri (1308-21) (1308-21) The first and most famous part The first and most famous part of Dante's of Dante's Divine ComedyDivine Comedy, , generally recognized as one of generally recognized as one of the most significant literary the most significant literary works of the Middle Ages. works of the Middle Ages. Escorted by the Latin poet Virgil Escorted by the Latin poet Virgil the author takes a trip through the author takes a trip through the nine circles of Hell. the nine circles of Hell. Fortunately, those checking out Fortunately, those checking out the ride won't suffer the fate the ride won't suffer the fate warned of at the Gate of Hell - warned of at the Gate of Hell - "Abandon all hope, you who "Abandon all hope, you who enter here". Brilliant.enter here". Brilliant.

Origins of fantasyOrigins of fantasy A Midsummer Night's Dream A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare (1600) (1600) Eternally popular Shakespearean Eternally popular Shakespearean comedy about lovers and fairies in comedy about lovers and fairies in the woods of ancient Athens. The the woods of ancient Athens. The story has three threads, all drawn story has three threads, all drawn together in the end through together in the end through typically farcical circumstances - typically farcical circumstances - with the King of the Fairies and his with the King of the Fairies and his servant Puck driving the mayhem. servant Puck driving the mayhem. One of the Bard's best, possibly One of the Bard's best, possibly his funniest and definitely his most his funniest and definitely his most

fantastical.fantastical.

Types of Fantasy FictionTypes of Fantasy FictionHigh Fantasy tales often have a serious tone, with events on an epic scale and usually takes place in a pseudo-medieval setting. A common theme in these novels is the fight against evil and characters many times have a quest they must complete. Often they include fantastical races or creatures. Examples of high fantasy include:The Lord Of The Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien

Types of Fantasy FictionTypes of Fantasy Fiction

Sword & Sorcery tales have plenty of action along the lines of classic epics like The Odyssey and The Iliad. Examples of sword & sorcery include:The Conan series

Types of Fantasy FictionTypes of Fantasy Fiction

Contemporary Fantasy (also called Urban or Modern Fantasy) takes place in the modern world. Travel to alternate worlds may be possible, or the existence of hidden magic. Examples of contemporary fantasy include:The Harry Potter series by

JK RowlingAbarat by Clive Barker

Types of Fantasy FictionTypes of Fantasy Fiction Dark Fantasy is closely related

to and often includes elements of the horror genre. The supernatural, or supernatural creatures, such as vampires, are often a main ingredient. Many times, these novels are officially labeled either fantasy or horror, depending on which genre they lean more towards. Examples of dark fantasy include:The work of HP LovecraftThe Work of Neil GaimanThe Elric stories by Michael Moorcock

Types of Fantasy FictionTypes of Fantasy Fiction

Historical Fantasy incorporates a fantasy storyline into history or invents a fantasy history that mirrors our own. Some example of historical fantasy include:The Crown Rose by Fiona AveryJonathan Strange & Mr Norell by Susanna Clarke

Types of Fantasy FictionTypes of Fantasy FictionFairytale Fantasy encompasses many diverse works.both modern fairytales and reworking of classic stories. They may be aimed at children, or contain more adult themes and content. Also closely related is Mythic Fantasy, which draws on mythology. Some examples of fairytale fantasy include:The Sword of the Rightful King by Jane YolenThe Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey

Map of Speculative Fiction

From Shakespeare to PulpFrom Shakespeare to Pulp

Now that you know the origins of fantasy Now that you know the origins of fantasy fiction we can move to the time of fantasy fiction we can move to the time of fantasy pulp fiction, 1930’s through 1970’s. “The pulp fiction, 1930’s through 1970’s. “The pulps were cheap thrills in the truest pulps were cheap thrills in the truest sense. At rates of a quarter, a half, and sense. At rates of a quarter, a half, and one penny per word, you had to be a one penny per word, you had to be a pretty prolific writer to make ends meet.” pretty prolific writer to make ends meet.”

((Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)

From Shakespeare to PulpFrom Shakespeare to Pulp

““As pulp magazines became more As pulp magazines became more specialized and catered to different specialized and catered to different genre tastes, writers turned to spinning genre tastes, writers turned to spinning yarns of all types, often adopting yarns of all types, often adopting several pseudonyms to do so.” several pseudonyms to do so.”

((Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)

From Shakespeare to PulpFrom Shakespeare to Pulp

““There was a fair amount of hack material There was a fair amount of hack material printed, but from these magazines that printed, but from these magazines that were generally regarded as lowbrow were generally regarded as lowbrow entertainment emerged a surprising entertainment emerged a surprising amount of excellent writing by craftsmen amount of excellent writing by craftsmen who, in terms of quality, were worth way who, in terms of quality, were worth way more than the minimum word rates.” more than the minimum word rates.” ((Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)Fantasy of the 20th Century, 2001.)

Your Turn to ExploreYour Turn to Explore

Check out Check out the the collection of collection of pulp fantasy pulp fantasy fiction fiction novellas novellas right here on right here on the table!the table!

Activity 1Activity 1Time Traveler Writing Time Traveler Writing

PromptPrompt

Pick something that Pick something that exists in the present exists in the present but may not exist in but may not exist in the future. Imagine the future. Imagine getting a visit from a getting a visit from a time traveler who time traveler who wants you to explain wants you to explain what the object is what the object is and what it does and and what it does and why it is so important why it is so important to this time. to this time.

Activity 2Fantasy Fiction Illustrations

Fantasy fiction illustrations are as compelling and original as thestories themselves. Take a look at these five illustrations fromfantasy stories. Chose the one that interests you the most andmake a prediction about the story based on the artwork.

My prediction about this story based on the illustration is:

Fantasy Fiction Illustrations

Now read the story that corresponds to the number illustration you Now read the story that corresponds to the number illustration you wrote your prediction on. When you are finished reading the story wrote your prediction on. When you are finished reading the story answer the following questions.answer the following questions.

What is depicted in the illustration? What is depicted in the illustration? What is the overall theme of the illustration?What is the overall theme of the illustration? After reading the story what scene/theme is portrayed in After reading the story what scene/theme is portrayed in

the illustration? the illustration? How accurate is the illustration to the story? How would How accurate is the illustration to the story? How would

you have created a different illustration to convey the you have created a different illustration to convey the scene or theme of the story?scene or theme of the story?

Compare your prediction based on the illustration to your Compare your prediction based on the illustration to your read on the story. Was your prediction accurate? Why or read on the story. Was your prediction accurate? Why or why not?why not?

Illustration 1Illustration 1

Fantastic May-June 1953, Vol. 2 No. 3

Illustration 2Illustration 2

Fantastic May-June 1953, Vol. 2 No. 3

Illustration 3Illustration 3

Fantastic September-October 1953, Vol 2 No. 5

Illustration 4Illustration 4

Fantastic September-October 1953, Vol 2 No. 5

Illustration 5Illustration 5

Fantastic January-February 1953, Vol. 2 No. 1

Activity 3:Fantasy Mad Libs

Choose any story from the Fantastic magazines.From the story create your own “Mad Lib”. You maystart from the beginning of the story or jump to yourfavorite scene. Be sure to use the following parts oflanguage in your Fantasy Mad Lib at least once,noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, proper noun,you may also use number, body part, etc. Be creativeand have fun!

Activity 4Author/Illustrator Profile

Since many fantasy fiction authors andillustrators are little known we will conduct anauthor/illustrator profile to further our classknowledge. You will chose either a fantasyauthor or an illustrator and complete thefollowing criteria.

Activity 5 Activity 5 Fantasy Fiction Short Story

Write a fantasy based short story or first chapter of a fantasynovel. Use your imagination and remember that you havethe opportunity to create the unimaginable. You can write astory that makes the impossible or fantastical a reality!Review the types of fantasy fiction to secure a theme foryour story. (i.e. Sword and Sorcery, Contemporary Fantasy,etc.) If you need more ideas to get you started consult thechart below. You may accompany your story will your ownillustrations or illustrations created by someone else. Besure to give credit to the sources you use of other people’sillustrations/artwork.

Activity 5Activity 5Science Fiction and FantasyScience Fiction and Fantasy

Story and Situation StartersStory and Situation StartersSituation Setting CharactersA deserted spaceship withall equipment still working.

200 years from now 4.5 lightyears from Earth.

Two people in a scout shipresponding to an S.O.S.

Robots stage a revolt. A city in the future. A young man/woman whotries to fight back.

2 or 3 survivors leave theirhome to look for new lands.

The world after a nuclearwar.

A mixture of people whofind it hard to get alongtogether.

An alien invasion of Earth. The world today at a militarybase.

Army chief, a scientist, ayoung person.

A time machine has beeninvented.

The past in various timesand places.

The inventor and thepeople s/he meets.

A quest or challenge faces aperson.

A parallel universe wheremagic operates.

A young hero with specialpowers.

Law and order have brokendown; rival gangs fight forcontrol.

The world in the 21stcentury.

The bikies versus the rest.

Colonists arrive on a planetto settle it.

Arrival site on planet hassome strange creatures andfeatures.

A young family has to setup home in a strange land.

Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998).