The Rewards of Reading Fantasy

Volume 11 Number 3 Article 2 Winter 2-15-1985 The Rewards of Reading Fantasy Karl Schorr Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore Part of the Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons Recommended Citation Schorr, Karl (1985) "The Rewards of Reading Fantasy," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 11 : No. 3 , Article 2. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol11/iss3/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To join the Mythopoeic Society go to: http://www.mythsoc.org/join.htm Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm Abstract Examines what is appealing to the reader about fantasy as a genre, what its specific functions are and how it affects us. Additional Keywords Fantasy—Characteristics; Fantasy—Criticism and interpretation This article is available in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol11/iss3/2 MYTHLORE 41: Winter-Spring 1985 The 'Rewards of Reading Tantasy Karl Schorr At the close of an enlightening essay, after functions of fantasy. There is no doubt that such listing what he considers to be the twelve or fifteen analysis can deepen our understanding and increase our best works of fantasy literature, C. S. Lewis remarks, appreciation of the genre. It may also teach us of "I am not sure that anyone has satisfactorily explained ourselves, of our inner dreams, desires, and needs. But the keen, lasting, solemn pleasure which such stories rashness and stupidity will quickly ruin everything. can give."[l] Lewis himself does not attempt an Just as the possessed physicist in Lewis' Perelandra explanation. In fact, many commentators seem reluctant mutilates nature in order to inspect it, so may the to account for man's abiding love of the fantastic. It incautious fantasy critic "murder to dissect." He may is often safe enough to trace the basic themes of, say take apart the genre, piece by piece, labeling and The Lord of the Rings, to conduct character analysis, cataloging everything, until no trace of mystery, or to speculate as to the author's "point." However, it enchantment, or enjoyment remains. In this way Faerie is more challenging— and no less important— to explain may be drained of its marvelous powers. And nothing is why the entire tale grips us as it does and why many a worth that price. reader emerges from Middle-earth a changed person. What is it about fantasy that we find so appealing? (and, The scene in bookstores is always the same: one indeed, what is it that some find so appalling?) What wall— usually the largest— is covered from top to are the specific functions of the genre? How do tales bottom with works of fantasy. Their covers are of dragons, wizardry, and other worlds affect us? This brilliant orange, glowing yellow, deep, mysterious study shall address these questions. blue, and myriad other fabulous hues. Among those racks prowls every conceivable creature (and some Analyzing fantasy can be a dangerous business. inconceivable) in every imaginable environment. The Faerie, that world wherein all fantasy takes place, "is shelves are always crowded with titles. In fact, the a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary only area of the store more congested than the and dungeons for the overbold."[2] The critic is no book-filled shelves is the adjacent aisle, where more immune than the average reader to elvish trickery, customers pardon themselves around each other, trying and the traditonal tools of criticism at times prove to decide which of a dozen works to buy. People love less helpful than reason is in Wonderland. In addition, fantasy. They love to enter other worlds and to there exists what Lewis calls the genre's "inflexible experience the impossible. This is not true of hostility to all analysis."(Of Other Worlds, p. 36). everyone, of course, but most enjoy at least an Lewis is, of course, exaggerating— he scrutinizes his occasional plunge into the marvelous. Strangely enough, share of fairy stories— but there is nevertheless few seem able to explain their affection for the genre. something about fantasy that resists critical study. A number of fantasy devotees were interviewed in the Often Faerie doesn't want to be analyzed. Its hills, course of this study. They were asked short and fields, and crystal lakes would rather be left seemingly simple questions: "Why do you read fantasy?" pristine. Its inhabitants usually object to human or "What does LeGuin do for you?" These questions, travellers toting microscopes and note pads, and the however, proved difficult for most of the people. Many wonderous creatures may react by making the critic's could not respond at all. They wrinkled their brows and job difficult. They do so in order to protect remained in a baffled and somewhat embarrassing something, something dearer to the knight than his silence. Others attempted to explain, but said little chainmail, dearer to the dragon than his ancient hoard: that was meaningful. After some thought, one gentleman they want to preserve the magic of Faerie. For there is replied, "Fantasy makes me feel-good— I mean, I feel always the frightening possibility that the fabulous different after reading it." Then he shook his head, as realm, once mapped and sounded, will lose its power; if dissatisfied with his explanation. "I mean, perhaps everything within its borders will perish, sometimes it's so amazing that I— " he stopped and delicate wax figurines held before the torch of shook his head in frustration, and said nothing more. rationality. J. R. R. Tolkien, one of this century's Others responed similarly. As hard as they tried, they foremost fantasists, recognizes just this possibility. could not account for their fondness of the genre. The realm of fantasy, he says, Often their faces would light up, as if in a moment of realization, only to drop again as the answer escaped. is wide and deep and filled with many things: It was as if the people were leaning over the rim of a all manner of beasts and birds are found large barrel and trying to grab an unseen item at the there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; very bottom. They could touch it with their fingertips, beauty that is enchantment, and an but the barrel's sides were a fraction of an inch too ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow sharp high, and the item remained just out of reach. as swords. In that realm a man may, perhaps, count himself fortunate to have wandered, but Had one of them been able to grasp the mysterious its very richness and strangeness tie the object, had one been able to explain his love of tongue of the traveller who would report them. fantasy, he probably would have echoed Tolkien's And while he is there it is dangerous for him statement that the genre satisfies "certain primordial to ask too many questions, lest the gates human desires("On Fairy Stories," p.41)." When we read should be shut and the keys be lost. fantasy, we are fulfilling wishes and needs shared by ("On Fairy Stor.ies," p.33) virtually all men. We are sating a group of desires that "cries out in us from the roots of our being."[3] These are thirsts which are as old as man himself, and Thus, we must be careful in examining the appeal and which will last as long as he lasts. MYTHLORE 41: Winter-Spring 1985 Tolkien points out that men have always longed to The Mouse in Alice is much truer to the nature of hold communion with other living things ("On Fairy his species. He wears no clothing, has no jewelry, and, Stories," p.43)." We desire to converse with animals, as far as we know, makes no appointments with people of fish, even plants, and to see what they might have to royalty. He generally acts like a real mouse. We meet say about themselves, us, and the world in general. him in the pool of tears. When Alice first nears him, Even as prehistoric man, crouched low in a jungle he "gave a sudden leap out of the water and seemed to thicket, met the vicious stare of a saber-toothed quiver all over with fright." This is precisely how we tiger, a trace of curiousity must have been mingled would expect a small rodent to acts when with his fear and dread. He must have wondered, "What approached— nervous and timid. In addition, the is going on inside this great beast? What would it say character has typical mouselike concerns. What do mice to me if it could talk?" Perhaps our ancestors tried to fear most? Cats, naturally: communicate with animals like the saber-tooth. Maybe they didn't know initially that other creatures of the "Oh, I beg your pardon!" cried Alice hastily, world lacked the power of speech.' Indeed, some outgoing afraid that she had hurt the poor animal's souls probably regretted their attempts to strike up feelings.

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