C. TrembathC. Trembath

Fantasy genre is a large and complex

genre.

For the past 60 years the fantasy genre For the past 60 years the fantasy genre

has been the dumping ground for any has been the dumping ground for any

story that does not fall into any other genre.story that does not fall into any other genre.

A genre that uses magic and A genre that uses magic and other supernatural elements other supernatural elements

as essential ingredients of plot, as essential ingredients of plot, theme, and settings.theme, and settings.

And is usually And is usually novelette novelette

or or book-lengthbook-length..

Fairy tales are stories that are short in length---one sitting

and rely on the fantastic involving fairies and magic

usually ending “happily ever after”.

The name “fairy tale” was first used to describe these stories

by Madame d’Aulnoy.

Older fairy tales were intended for adults as well as children.

It is best to define fantasy by what it is not . . .

The fantasy genre does not include:

Fables Folktales Myths Tall Tales

Fantasy genre and fairy tales Fantasy genre and fairy tales overlap and share overlap and share

many of the same qualities many of the same qualities called:called:

““fantastic elements”fantastic elements”Like fairies, dragons, giants, Like fairies, dragons, giants, talking animals, magic and so talking animals, magic and so

on. on.

The hero is a doer of deeds and The hero is a doer of deeds and has great courage and moral has great courage and moral

values. values.

This hero usually has humble This hero usually has humble beginnings and must prove beginnings and must prove

himself worthy. himself worthy.

The main character refuses to The main character refuses to accept the world as it is. He /she accept the world as it is. He /she

fights evil and good prevails in the fights evil and good prevails in the end. end.

Tolkien’s Hobbits were Tolkien’s Hobbits were not great or powerful not great or powerful characters until the characters until the

adventure made them be.adventure made them be.

The plot is usually The plot is usually centered around the centered around the

Quest. Quest.

There is a desire to There is a desire to accomplish a difficult task. accomplish a difficult task.

The main characters The main characters operate in a dreadful world operate in a dreadful world

turned upside down by turned upside down by some force.some force.

The quest may be for an artifact that will yield great power or it may be by

a character that will make an essential difference.

The quest may be to save the world or be a character’s internal quest of

self-understanding.

In fantasy Medieval Europe is the most favored setting. The world is a global

village.

Many creatures, setting, and elements are drawn from medieval folklore such as

dragons and unicorns.

Races of being such as elves and dwarves are often tweaked from medieval sources.

This a popular theme in This a popular theme in fantasy, such as evil fantasy, such as evil

characters that invade characters that invade and disrupt the good and disrupt the good

characters’ lands.characters’ lands.

Example : The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

While the cost may be great While the cost may be great and major characters may die and major characters may die

along the way, evil is along the way, evil is defeated, often by those defeated, often by those

who seem to have little power who seem to have little power or authority.or authority.

Something magical is almost Something magical is almost always part of fantasy. always part of fantasy.

Either the character has magical Either the character has magical powers powers

or uses objects to heightened or uses objects to heightened their senses and skills.their senses and skills.

Among the most common objects Among the most common objects are magic swords and magic are magic swords and magic

rings. rings.

Prophecies are another common Prophecies are another common forms of magic, because forms of magic, because

they are often used as plotthey are often used as plot devices.devices.

Magic can be known as “The Force” Magic can be known as “The Force” (Star Wars) or “the Deeper Arts” (The (Star Wars) or “the Deeper Arts” (The

Lord of the Rings).Lord of the Rings).

Fairy tales came long before the written page. Tales were told or

enacted dramatically rather than written down, and handed

down from generation to generation. Because of this, the history of their development is

unclear.

The oldest known written fairy tales stem from ancient Egypt, in1300 BC.

Fairy tales appear, now and again, in written literature such as Cupid and Psyche (Roman 100-200 AD).

What they do show is that the fairy tale has ancient roots, older than the Arabian Nights. The first western famous fairy tales are those of the Greek Aesop (6th century BC ).

The fairy tale itself became popular among the upper-class

of France (1690-1710) with tales told by Charles Perrault who in (1697) fixed the forms

of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

The first collectors who attempted to preserve not only the plot and characters of the tale, but also the style in which they were preserved, were the Brothers Grimm, who collected German fairy tales in their first editions (1812 & 1815).

In the early decades of the 20th century

several classic children's fantasies were published such as Peter Pan and the Wonderful Wizard of

Oz.

High fantasy came into being

with and the popularity of

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in the late

1960s that allowed fantasy

to become all the rage. Several

other series, such as C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia helped

make the genre more popular.

Sometimes, especially in

children's literature, fairy tales are retold with a twist for

comic effect such as the Stinky

Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka. Another example is Robert

Munch’s picture book the Paperbag Princess in which a princess rescues a

prince

Snow WhiteCinderella

RapunzelLittle Red Riding Hood

Sleeping Beauty

Beauty and the Beast

Rumpelstiltskin

Jack and the

Beanstalk

Famous Fantasy Titles

Fantasy Grades 3-4

Famous Fantasy Titles Grades 5-6

Harry PotterThe Lord of the Rings

Chronicles of Narnia

20,000 Leagues Under the SeaIndian in the Cupboard

“Fantasy opens the door to experiencing the magic that is in

the world around us and more importantly the magic in

ourselves..” ~ T.A. Baron