What purpose do you think fantasy literature serves, or should serve? Why? I have my own views on the matter, but for now how about sharing yours first?

you may as well ask the same question of all books. What a loaded question! It's a style of writing that people enjoy - simple as that

A pure release from everyday worries and strife.

That is the purpose of fantasy [img]smile.gif[/img]

Does it have to serve a purpose? I´ve only read Tolkien. That didn´t serve a purpose I think. It gave me some hours af calm enjoyable reading though.

The fact that it doesn't serve much of a purpose except to entertain people is what makes it so great.

Still, I think I can delve deeper. I think lots of people enjoy fantasy because of the very different characters, settings and stories contained within. In this way, it is an "escape" from reality, yes, but I also think it is just something very fresh and constantly creative. Almost everybody appreaciates originality, creativity and something different, apart from the same old same old IMHO.

If you try to find reasons and purposes for everything you will probably go insane quite quickly, either by what you discover or when you discover that you cannot discover all reasons and purposes [img]tongue.gif[/img] In my opinion some things should just be left alone and enjoyed without being dissected and examined....

That being said I agree that it's an escape from reality, a chance to live something else and experience something alien. And even though it's fantasy litterature you CAN learn real things from it [img]tongue.gif[/img]

A chancec to be MEEEE!!!! :D

A chance to be MEEEE!!!! :D </font>[/QUOTE]FF, I doubt that anyone would bother to write their worst nightmares and then publish them [img]tongue.gif[/img]

entertainment.

Hellraiser, Friday 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street and the Teletubbies - I rest my case [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Hellraiser, Friday 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street and the Teletubbies - I rest my case [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]True, true, Teletubbies IS something spawned in Hell. Hm, now that I think about it.... Maybe they DID make something about you.... I always suspected those damn things of hiding tentacles behind their backs [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color="silver">I find that reading fantasy, (or any other type of book I like) allows me to escape the troubles of the world around me, and enter an enteraining world.

I think what everyone else said pretty much sums it all up. ;)

Its fun, and we like it. Why do we need to explain further??</font>

personally I prefer sci-fi to fantasy. not so long ago I restarted reading my Edgar ERice Burroughs "John Carter of Mars" books :D

if you plan to read the Space Odyssey series btw, I recommend skipping 2061 - it was utter pants and didn't contribute squit to the series IMO

Sorry, Lord Shield, I like to ask loaded questions. :D

I think good fantasy can actually be a great source of inspiration for art and profound thought. There are some works of fantasy I've read (including a Chinese one which is real thick ;) ) which contain such fascinating ideas and employ such beautiful and visually rich language, they really set your imagination on fire, and being myself an artist I have to say they provide tons of ideas in this respect. They can also provoke a great deal of thought by challenging your views and beliefs regarding many things -- though I'd grant that this is truer of science fiction than fantasy. (Is there a clear distinction between the two genres, though?)

Speaking of science fiction, Ray Bradbury's one of my favorites -- especially his Martian Chronicles (a.k.a. The Silver Locusts). This one really examines some serious questions about the merits of space exploration. Also like Brian Aldiss' Helliconia Trilogy. The idea of a planet where each season (as in spring, summer etc) spans 600 years is just so captivating. [img]smile.gif[/img] Ah, well, just my [img]graemlins/twocents.gif[/img] .

Wonder what Dramnek's response will be to this thread. I know -- he'll say that fantasy must serve the people, or it's just bourgeoise rubbish. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

[ 07-26-2002, 01:18 AM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]

If Teletubbies is spawned in Hell, then the Powerpuff Girls is spawned in absolutely the deepest, darkest circle of Hell. With Pokemon a close second.

[ 07-26-2002, 01:39 AM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]

What purpose does anything serve? :D *shrugs* I like fantasy, it's that simple. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Entertainment, enjoyment...

Ray Bradbury is excellent. I still prefer Edgar to him though, and Isaac Aasimov had some good stuff too. Did you ever see the TV adaptation of Martian Chronicles?

My favourite quote (though I forget the exact text) from MC was:

"I've been given half of this planet. What is half of nothing worth?"

If Teletubbies is spawned in Hell, then the Powerpuff Girls is spawned in absolutely the deepest, darkest circle of Hell. With Pokemon a close second.</font>[/QUOTE]Hey, the Powerpuff Girls aren't THAT bad [img]tongue.gif[/img] Not all of the time, anyway, Pukémon MUST be destroyed, though.

*Ach*! I say, and *Ach*! again! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

it helps heighten our imagination!

Agree. This is perhaps the best answer of all IMO. :D Do you need a reason? You just like it, that's all.

Yes, but only a few episodes (couldn't find the time to follow it closely... :( ). Did watch the film, though. Edgar seems a bit... juvenile... though I quite like Tarzan -- for obvious reasons. :D

I like it how you twist the spelling of Pokemon, Neb. Yup, he certainly makes you puke. ;)

[ 07-26-2002, 10:15 PM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]