1. How is the fantasy world related to the real world? The language, English, is always in fantasy Humans play a pivotal role in each Similar characteristics of Medieval times Some domesticated animals, like horses or dogs, are usually included Works cited: http://www.helium.com/items/885371- characteristics-of-fantasy-literature http://www.helium.com/items/885371- characteristics-of-fantasy-literature http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Fanta syCounterpartCulture

2. Does the Fantasy genre spur subgenres? Several subgenres have sprung up from the main genre of Fantasy Some of them include “Comic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fairy Tales and Mythology, and High Fantasy”-Masterson pg. 1 There are many subgenres that go in opposite directions, from Dark Fantasy to Fairy Tales to Modern Fantasy Has “spawned no clear counterpart in mythology or folklore”(John Clute, Page 1) http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/fsubgenre.html http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Fantasy#Me dia

3. What makes Fantasy a unique and separate genre? Fantasy is separate genre for a number of reasons. It doesn’t provide a logical explanation for seemingly natural phenomena's like other genres do. It also includes different races, species, and flora and fauna that non-fiction doesn’t have. Since the Fantasy genre is fiction, it will normally be set in a different world rather than Earth, and is set in a different time period, “dominated by its medievalist form” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy The Hobbit

4. What was Fantasy criticized for, and what is it criticized for now? Fantasy is criticized for being childish, as it includes Fairy Tales Fantasy(Fairy tales) in the 19 th century was strictly for children, but became widely accepted throughout the rest of the century The Fairy Tales were used to educate children, and “expected to be didactic and moral—not entertaining” Page 1 Some thought it was not suitable for a rational citizen, as it has a lack of logic and isn’t realistic “Fantasy does not need to convince the audience that its story is realistic”(Page 1) is often a major point of criticism because it does not provide a logical explanation for phenomena such as magic and mythical beasts. http://www.enotes.com/nineteenth-century-criticism/victorian-fantasy- literature http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Criticism-Ideology/Fantasy-Films- QUESTIONS-OF-GENRE.html

5. How much history and background is there for Fantasy? The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest recorded story of the fantasy genre Stories such as Beowulf and Odyssey are examples of very early fantasy epics Fantasy evolved in the 19 th and into the mid-20 th century JRR Tolkien was responsible for revamping and popularizing fantasy in the 20 th century He is one of the most famous author of fantasy, and his series’ Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and the Silmarillion are some of the most well known books in history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy http://www.tolkiensociety.org/tolkien/biography/

6. Who are some famous authors and their novels? J.R.R. Tolkien is the most well known from the 20 th century, his books The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion are his best known work C.S. Lewis is another famous fantasy author The Chronicles of Narnia are C.S. Lewis’s well known series Lewis Carroll was the author who wrote Alice In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass in the 19 th century L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was a famous fantasy novel of the 19 th century, and spurred filmmakers to recreate into a film http://www.online-literature.com/carroll/ http://www.tolkiensociety.org/tolkien/biography/

7. Where are elements of fantasy in the media and culture? The fantasy genre has found its place in many forms of media and culture Films are very popular for fantasy, some examples include the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series, which are some of the highest grossing movies of all time Fantasy is used in videogames and television, such milestone videogames like Final Fantasy, The Elder Scrolls, and Legend of Zelda series each revolutionized the gaming industry using fantasy elements Television shows such as Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Twilight Zone are examples of fantasy being used in media http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Fantasy#Media http://home.austarnet.com.au/petersykes/fantasy100/lists_tv.html

8. What are some traits that define Fantasy? The importance of morality is essential in Fantasy A story of Good vs. Evil is found in Fantasy, usually with a large scale battle because of limited, medieval technology The main enemy tends to be extremely powerful, enough so one character cannot defeat him The main enemy also has no traces of good, and is willing to completely destroy his foes with no feelings of remorse or second thoughts The use and acceptance of magic The forces of good must overcome an army of evil much larger than their own http://www.helium.com/items/885371-characteristics-of-fantasy- literature http://ourfantasylives.com/fantasy_-_Traits_of_fantasy.html