A Portal into the Mind and Soul: A Short Discussion on Fantasy Literature

Fantasy literature, with its complex world building, mythical creatures, and sprawling landscapes, has long captivated the imagination of readers. From the globally celebrated Harry Potter series, to darker tales like Dracula, fantasy stretches far beyond magic and dragons. Beneath the surface, literature enforces a psychological appeal. Offering readers a powerful escape from the dull realities of everyday life. It taps into our deepest desires and fears, allowing us to explore the boundaries of human experience and seek meaning in an often chaotic world.
 

At the heart of it, fantasy is a celebration of creativity, an imaginative journey into an alternate universe. As two psychologists describe in the ‘psychology of Fantasy’, fantasy novels are an ‘underestimated form of intelligence’. Requiring readers to possess an open, keen, and imaginative mind. Moreover, fantasy literature often carries a strong moral framework, which can play an important role in shaping children's minds. Take Alice in Wonderland, for instance. Children encounter clear distinctions between good and evil. The benevolent and innocent Alice stands in stark contrast to the impatient, red-clad Queen of Hearts. These narratives construct moral archetypes that help children to develop and retain a sense of empathy and a moral compass. A study examining moral retention in children gained significant results to support this. Children were divided into two groups - one reading fantasy stories and the other reading non fiction. The results showed that children reading fantasy could ‘define significantly more words’ than those who read non-fiction. But what does this mean? This result suggests that fantasy literature can promote stronger retention. This is because children are more engaged with the unfolding narrative. When emotionally invested in an interesting story, they're more likely to absorb and remember. Along with this, Fantasy protagonists often undergo internal struggles, making decisions and sometimes failing. These journeys emphasise an important lesson: it's okay to make mistakes and learn. Moral growth is not a state of perfection. Linking back to the study, it is likely that children not only retain the vocabulary but also internalise these deep moral messages. Possibly resulting in them embracing their mistakes as learning opportunities.

Literature in general has always offered profound benefits. It opens our eyes to different perspectives, across both cultures and time periods. The portrayal of women, for example, has evolved significantly from the early 1900s to the post modern era, reflecting broader societal shifts. Literature is often described as a window to the soul - a place through which writers express their innermost thoughts and emotions. In turn, readers absorb a part of that soul. Fantasy often tackles complex ethical issues - such as injustice, redemption and prejudice. This is done in a way that is engaging and interesting to young readers. A powerful example is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, which exposes themes of authoritarian rule, systemic injustice and the abuse of power. The story's premise , where children are selected through a lottery system to fight to the death, offers a stark critique of oppressive governance. Which then echoes in real historical practices, such as the brutal spectacles of the Roman Colosseum. Through such narratives, a child's moral foundation may be shaped. Instilling an importance of empathy and standing up for what's right in an often real and unfair world.

Overall, fantasy literature can have a positive impact on the mind, allowing people to view instances from different perspectives and standpoints. It is a genre not limited by the boundaries of a human.

Infromed by:
Mae Thornton, The Psychology of Fantasy, Medium, Cossgrrl, jan 2018.