Hmm... Forgot It Was My Day to Blog... :P
Yeah, yeah, I got the reminder email that it was my day and everything, but I've been pulled in a bajillion different directions lately, that it kind of slipped my mind until I was able to take a breather this evening. *sigh*
So, I'm going to ask a question of you, something I've often wondered.
Why are most fantasy settings in a Medieval-esque world? Even my own books are patterned after this. Swords, princesses, castles. What is it about that particular "knight in shining armor" flavor? Why not pyramids and pharoahs? What's wrong with feudal Japan? Or perhaps Vikings and such?
Is it because all of those other cultures had their own set "rules"? Was it because Medieval England (and/or Europe) might have actually believed in magic and dragons at one time? (ie. King George & the Dragon, etc.) Is it the myth of Merlin and King Arthur that did it? The magic and enchantment... Was it the bards and minstrels who sang songs of noble dragon-slayers and the beautiful women who won their hearts?
Is our perception of the "fantasy world" because we (Americans) came from England (Europe)? If the Egyptians had discovered America, say, would we be telling fantasy stories of fell beasts with human heads and animal bodies? (or vice/versa?)
And why haven't these communities advanced in technology? If they have magic that will do this or that for them, you'd think they'd invent some kind of magical cars/trains/guns/etc. Perhaps that would be too close to steampunk, or adding some sci-fi into your fantasy.
But these are the questions I ask myself. LOL Anyone else wonder these things?
~~Becka
http://www.rebeccagoings.com/
3 comments:
That is a very good question... It's not as if other cultures don't have their heroic tales of bygone eras to draw from.
On the other hand, it's supply and demand. I know that authors write non-English-based Medieval fantasies. So another question is, why don't readers buy them?
Asian cultures have their own brand of magic. It's really rather fascinating.
But they don't have 'fairy tales' like we do. They have dozens of morality tales though. Lots of folk tales, like The Four Dragons, or The Dragon and The Pearl. Many times the main characters aren't human.
It's a different mythos, a different dynamic, and much of the culture remains to his day, so it's not like 'Once Upon A Time", more like "Three days ago."
LOL
I think it's all a matter of familiarity. We're used to thinking of fantasy in European terms (and wanting to ride dragons), so we naturally gravitate toward that tradition when we start to write fantasies.
It's not just us, though. Every culture goes toward the familiar first. Manga-ka and anime creators tend to fall back on traditional Japanese folk tale tropes when they attempt fantasy too.
Plus, fusion is so dicey. If we write Japanese- or Korean-based fantasies, we're bound to get it at least a little wrong. A lot of writers aren't willing to face the inevitable criticism. Easier to work in an area where you know the rules instiinctively.
Of course, sometimes, the ways in which you can get things wrong result in the most interesting stories of all. :-)
Hugs,
Jean Marie
Post a Comment