How does Attebery define Fantasy? Find at least 5 examples.
Defining a genre like fantasy poses a real challenge, primarily due to the scope of the topic. Fantasy encompasses such a vast range of sub-genres and themes that giving it a singular definition seems to be an insurmountable task.
Attebery expresses the same opinion however he tries to define fantasy through giving several examples and suggesting rules for the genre. I will list some of them below.
1. Any narrative which includes as a significant part of it's make-up some violation of what the Author clearly believes to be a natural law. (Attebery, 1980).
He goes on to give examples of ways the author can, to use his words, violate the natural laws such as using beasts like dragons, magical objects like the one ring in Lord of the Rings and through events such as two characters switching heads.
2. Fantasy, though, needs consistency. Reader and writer are committed to maintaining the illusion for the entire course of the fiction. (Attebery, 1980).
Through this he is explaining that Fantasy is genre which requires the participation of the reader and therefore can be more engaging than some other genres.
3. Fantasy is a game of sorts, and it demands that one play whole-heartedly, accepting for the moment all the rules and turns of the game. (Attebery, 1980).
This quote is an added expansion of the previous. He goes on to elaborate further stating that the reward for the added involvement of the reader is an occasional beauty and strangeness. This suggests that fantasy is a genre that offers the reader something beyond simply enjoyment.
4. The single condition, that a story treat impossibility as if it were true. (Attebery, 1980).
I feel this really speaks for itself. Simply put in a fantasy novel everything and anything is possible.
5. It can, in addition, take advantage of our curiosity. When we read fantasy we explore the unknown, and that interest can carry an otherwise undistinguished work. (Attebery, 1980).
I agree with this completely. Personally I feel one of fantasy's greatest strengths as a genre is the writers capability to make anything happen. This keeps the reader guessing and generates continual interest.
Attebery seems to have explained the true essence of fantasy effectively and there is little else that can be added to his explanation.
References:
Attebery, B. (1980). The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guinn. Bloomington: Indiana U P, 1980.
Nice. Great to see you recognised the link between points three and four (Attebury's comments about illusory consistency and the reader accepting the terms of the 'game'). I seldom see students use the final definition you have chosen. But I also think it is a valid one - particularly when you consider the idea of literature (high and low) as engaging our need to 'explore'. Good answer.
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