It may seem that the easiest way to find the origins of fantasy literature would be to simply follow the trail of fantasy literature back in history until we get to the earliest examples of it, but that would cause some problems. For instance, when does fantasy cease to be fantasy and become legend or myth? Are we going to call Beowulf a fantasy story? Or the tales of the Greek and Egyptian gods? Or Gilgamesh? It gets kinda messy if we do that. And that's not really what we're looking for, anyway. No, we're trying to establish where our current model for fantasy writing comes from. Look back at the last post to see the list.
So, although we're not going to go looking for historical beginnings, we are going to start at the beginning. Or, at least, where all fantasy stories start: the orphan boy. Sure, sure, it's not always a boy; Disney has given us plenty of girls, after all; but, when we start talking about the genre of fantasy literature, it's nearly always a boy. Or, even, outside the strict confines of fantasy. Let's take a look at some of the most popular examples (and some that I just like):
Oh! Wait! That list is over on Indie Writers Monthly, but it's a good list, so you should go on over and read it. Go see if your favorite fantasy character made the cut!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm headed over...
ReplyDeleteGood list. Obviously, Bilbo is not an orphan, as you say. But, there's still a sense that he's out on his own with the dwarves, in the throng but not of the throng. His sense of otherness and isolation is not unlike that of the typical orphan character.
ReplyDeleteAnother: Jim in Treasure Island. That's generally considered an adventure tale than a fantasy but it does fit the orphan model. Oh, and of course, Huck Finn!
Crystal: Yea!
ReplyDeleteTAS: I don't really get anything about "orphan" from Bilbo. Out of place, yes, but not orphan. I don't think those things you're mentioning belong to "orphan;" we just attach them to it for ease.
Well, okay. But Huck definitely qualifies, even if his story isn't technically fantasy.
ReplyDeleteI think this springs from fairy tales, which have old beginnings indeed... orphans and unappreciated children sent to do dangerous things. My belief is these stories (the fairy tale end) include so many orphans to teach kids to be cautious--look what happens when there is no one to take care of you--appreciate your family and do your duty quietly.
ReplyDeleteHeading over!
ReplyDeleteTAS: Maybe, he does? I can't, now, remember if his mother is dead or run off. I think the focus there, though, is on the dysfunctional relationship he has with his father.
ReplyDeleteHart: Hmm... There could be a relation to fairy tales, but I don't think that's the real origin. Fairy tales just have that one thing about them, and many of those don't even have that. Like, Hansel and Gretel weren't orphans.
Jessica: I'll see you there!
Pap dies pretty early, though, and I'm not sure Mom is ever even mentioned. He does have people carrying for him, though, so Huck is really probably more runaway than orphan.
ReplyDeleteTAS: Does he die? I suppose it's been too long since I read it.
ReplyDeleteThat's true! I never thought about the boy/girl thing. I guess it's that fantasy literature was geared toward male readers maybe?
ReplyDeleteStephanie: All literature was geared toward boys for a long, long time, because girls weren't expected to read.
ReplyDelete