1. How does Tolkien (1964) define fantasy Compare and contrast this to the other definitions from last week’s reader.

2. Is Tolkien’s notion of the ‘faery story’ linked to fantasy genre? How closely?

3. What parallels can you find between A Wizard of Earthsea and the Harry Potter franchise?

4. What other influences does Burn (2005) suggest for Harry Potter?

5. How does the fantasy genre relate to modern media such as video games?

6. Why does the religious right in the US condemn fantasy, according to Cockrell (2004)? On what grounds does Cockrell defend fantasy literature, using Harry Potter as example?

Hey guys...me again. Hhahahaha...I'm answering the second question so here goes: I reckon that there is a link between the 'faery story' and to the fantasy genre in a way. Just like fantasy, fairy stories have (a) "a fairy legend, with development senses, (b) an unreal or incredible story, and (c) a falsehood" Tolkein (2004).

I don't have any clue whether this is even near answering the question, but there it is...what do you guys think?

I'm going to skip from the first few questions to the last because it's very interesting.

The religious rights in the US condemns fantasy according to Cockrell (2004), says that it is the fact that the genre is trying to indoctrinate children. A food example of this is Harry Potter. A fantasy movie series based on the books written by J.K Rowling. The book depicts a lot of witches, wizards, magic and so forth. This is also emphasized in the films. Fundamentalist parents are accusing Harry Potter books and films of being Satanist, "I don't know if J.K Rowling is trying to indoctrinate our children in witchcraft and Satanism". This quotation is from a letter of complaints to The Roanoke Times, dating back to December 9, 2001. (Cockrell, 2004).

It also says in Cockrell (2004) that websites for parents linking back to Harry Potter are warning parents to be aware of the four eyed kid and his life. Cockrell (2004) first of all asks herself "what is it specifically about this series that makes Harry's (generally American) detractors attack a work of literature on the ground that is not literature at all, but a manual for evil arts?" Cockrell (2004) then answers by comparing Harry Potter to other practioners or fictional magic and saying that Harry's storyline is based too close to home.

What I'm thinking, is that, when children watch Harry Potter they admire him for being a strong kid at home with his aunty and uncle being all evil and mistreating him, that when children at home are getting disciplined by their own family members for their own good, they would think that they are mistreating them. So, they put themselves in Harry Potter's shoes and try to defend themselves. Sounds ridiculous I know - but still it’s a thought. Anyone want to add?

I think I'm going to work backwards from now on, hehe. Anyways this is for question number five. "How does the fantasy genre relate to modern media such as video games?"

Video games relate to fantasy through the storyline as well as the characters.

If we compare video games and fantasy - fantasy as a genre will always have a quest that must be fulfilled; there are obstacles on the way, helpers, opponents and a prize at the end. With video games they are the same. There is a storyline that has a quest for the game; there are also helpers, opponents and a prize at the end of the game.

With videogames and fantasy, I would say that there is a link. What do you guys think?

Question one: Fantasy as we saw in last week’s reading I said that fantasy cannot be fantasy if the storyline was of a real life experience, the story will have to be of non existence. "W.R Irwin has pointed out that the primary feature without which a work simply cannot be fantasy is an overt violation of what is generally accepted as possibility" (Attebery, 1980).

Fantasy according to Tolkien (1964) is defined as something of the imagination, something that the human mind can create. "The human mind is capable of forming mental images of things not actually present. The faculty of conceiving the images is (or was) naturally called imagination".

Tolkien (1964) also said that fantasy is not just a form of imagination but also a form of ART. In this sense, I would have to agree with Tolkien. Just as writing is a form of art, your imagination could be one too - creating fantastic worlds that is and can be considered as art. "Fantasy (in this sense) is, I think, not a lower but a higher form of Art."

hii guys this is my answer to question two..

annie, i am agree with you about the link between fairy-story and fantasy in a way.
Accourding to Tolkien (1964), if the lecicographer's definitions accepted fairies in popular belief suppossed to possess magical powers and great influence for good or evil over the affairs of man.

But i think its not that closed to fantansy because in fantasy genres there are always ways to heaven or hell sort of places but " to road to fairland is not the road to Heaven ; nor even to Hell" ( Tolkien, 1964)

I might be wrong thats what i think guys.what you guys think?

i just wanna add something for question two.

fairy-stories not only contains stories about fairies but also holds "the seas, the sun , the moon, the sky; and the earth, and allthings that are in it: tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted." (P.14)) which are also in the fantasy genre is well.

Hi Zilan and everyone:D

yea...well Fantasy wouldn't have started if it wasn't for us humans. I got confused in your second to last comment you made there Zilan. You said in your own opinion that fantasy genres always have a way to heaven or hell and then you commented from Tolkein (1964) that the "road to fairland is not the road to heaven nor even to hell".