Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Wee 3/4 Earthsea
In what ways does Tax (2002) suggest Earthsea may still be relevant today?
Tax (2002) provides a synopsis for each of the books written by Le Guinn in the Earthsea series. There are a number of themes that are comparable and timely with life today in each of the volumes. Concentrating on A Wizard of EarthSea (1986), we find the main character Ged facing his Shadow, his own demon which he must face in order to defeat. This is very symbolic of ‘real’ world living, where everyone must face the reality of themselves on a regular basis, be it learning their family history, dealing with their feelings for another person or struggling with the thoughts in their mind. The Shadow is representative of the human struggle between good and evil.
In the second volume, The Tombs of Atuan (1970), a theme of struggle between ones beliefs and their passion to do what is right is presented when Tenar the priestess has the chance to help Ged the Wizard in his quest to save Earthsea. Tenar faces a difficult decision between what she has been raised to believe, and what she must do to save Earthsea. This is very symbolic of moralist clashes that occur in the modern day, such as the pull that people in relationships might feel between their partner or friends, and their family.
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How does Attebery (1980) define Fantasy? Find at least 5 definitions.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Atterbery (1980) defining fantasy is mostly dependent on presenting the reader with “persuasive establishment and development of… impossibility, an arbitrary construct of the mind with all the control of logic and rhetoric.” Another definition given by Attebery is fantasy can be “any narrative which involves as a significant part of its make-up some violation of what the author clearly believes to be natural law. Though this can contradict fantasy to be’ fact’ once lulled into it, it is not slavery to the mind. One more definition of fantasy can be a “straightforward treatment of impossible characters, objects, or events…” This is said by Attebery to be believed by use of ‘commitment’ through the reader and writer. A somewhat negotiation of sustainable impression of the fantasy world once in it. In addition, for the fantasy to completely be what Attebery states as ‘fact’ it can also be called a “secondary belief” and this gives the impression of “an occasional sense of…wonder.” This wonder is further explained by Attebery as “fantasy [that] invokes wonder by making the impossible seem familiar and the familiar seem new and strange.