English Language and Literature Commons^™

Postmodern Fantasy & Its Twin Traditions, Skyler J. Alexander

Honors Thesis

Fantasy literature is diverse and difficult to categorize; nevertheless, throughout the twentieth century two main subgenres emerged: sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy. This thesis examines the differences and similarities between these two traditions, how contemporary examples of the genre fit into or diverge away from the traditions that influenced them, and proves in the negative what and how much of contemporary fantasy fiction is original to itself, with no prominent antecedent. The analysis was performed by comparatively reading two contemporary fantasy novels, The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan and A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, with …

An Anxious Artist's Guide To Magic, Mot Tuman

Masters Theses

Illustration’s essence is using some type of media to tell a story. This could be anything from sculpture, watercolor, even just text alone. Beyond its medium, I have been thinking for a while of illustration and storytelling as a type of illusory magic. Magic, according to the Oxford language dictionary as being "The power of using supernatural or other unseen forces to apparently influence events or human behaviour." It gives us the power to reach inside the mind and heart of a person and change their emotional and mental state. It's the ability to create a world and have others …

An Autism-Centered Analysis Of The Aesthetics And Narrative Of Gene Wolfe’S Book Of The New Sun, Sebastian Peterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Much of the recent work published within the literary neurodiversity studies field focuses on how certain writing techniques can be viewed as representing the experience of being autistic by influencing the reader so that they experience distinctly autistic patterns of cognition. Likewise, the Book of the New Sun series employs many such techniques within the narrative and prose. This is in addition to the fact that the plot contains elements that mirror the relationship and conflict between those with autism and neuronormative hegemony (that being the ways in which societies oppress, mistreat, and belittle those not deemed “neurotypical”). The goal …

The Fantasy Of J.R.R. Tolkien: Mythopoeia And The Recovery Of Creation By Robert J. Dobie, Hayden Bilbrey

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

A chapter by chapter review of Robert J. Dobie's 2024 book The Fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien: Mythopoeia and the Recovery of Creation. The review gives a chapter by chapter breakdown and asserts that though the book is more likely for academics, its approachable coverage of Tolkien's work and philosophical ideas also makes it a great read for anyone who is a fan of Middle-earth.

Saltfish And Seedcake: Examining Fantasy Through Food Studies, Isabella Martins-Simonsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although mundane and often overlooked in reality, in fantasy, food, like all other things, is entirely symbolic. Therefore, considering food closely when analyzing a fantasy text offers unique insights into the world being developed, the characters within that world, and the author’s own understanding of both the real and “secondary” world. In this paper, I consider the foods of Earthsea, Narnia, and Middle Earth to offer various perspectives on the worldbuilding and examine the implications of different foods in these well-known settings. For example, the tea served in Narnia creates a fantasy world that is more normal than the strange …

The World Of Magic Suite: The Emergence Of A Light Novelist, Frederick A. Drayton The Third

Master's Projects

This Master’s Thesis, "THE WORLD OF MAGIC SUITE: THE EMERGENCE OF A LIGHT NOVELIST," is a collection of loosely related fictional works rooted in a seven-year-old promise made by the author to a family member. The project serves as an exploration of the author’s evolving voice and approach to writing fiction, using the unifying theme of "The Personal is The Political is The Supernatural" to build immersive fantasy worlds. The suite contains three distinct narratives. "Apathy’s Reward," a dark fantasy short story, follows Calrie DuNacht, the Apathetic Exorcist of the Golden Cathedral, as she confronts grief and the discomfort of …

Celestium And It's Place In The Literary World, Lindsay Schuster

Masters Theses

This hybrid thesis represents my exploration of what it means to write about the divine from a human perspective. The creative component, titled Celestium, includes the first seven chapters of a novel following Cassiel, an angel appointed as Cain’s guardian after the fall of mankind. Through Cassiel’s reluctant watch over humanity’s first murderer, I explore questions of faith, duty, and empathy, what it means to care for a being one does not understand, and how curiosity can become a form of grace. The critical essay reflects on the process of world-building within a heavenly setting: a place deeply known through …

Witnessing Healing Through Fantasy: Trauma, Community, And Art In A Court Of Thorns And Roses, Alexandria A. Remm

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Drawing on theorists such as Bruno Bettelheim, Lucy Bonds, Stef Craps, Dominick LaCapra, and Laura Loumeau-May, this paper explores the role of trauma and healing in Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series by examining protagonist Feyre Archeron’s journey. Specifically, Feyre’s journey with trauma and how she heals throughout the series. The analysis highlights how Feyre’s recovery is deeply tied to empathy, her acts of artistic creation, and her evolving relationships with others, especially with those who have also endured their own trauma. In addition to textual analysis, the paper incorporates reader and fan responses—particularly fanart …

Lothlórien: Gendered Spaces, Cartographic Nominalism, And Galadriel’S Queerness, Bo Kampmann Walther

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Tolkien’s portrayal of Lothlórien is layered with complexities that reflect broader tensions between the feminine landscape and the masculine impulse to understand, name, and rationalize the world. This article examines the ‘fight’ over Lothlórien and its entitlement to truth from both female and male perspectives. It combines a close reading of passages from The Fellowship of the Ring with theories of name-giving, power, and mapping. The article concludes by evaluating these insights through the lens of Kristeva’s concept of the “abject” and discussing what ‘queer’ might mean in the Tolkien oeuvre.

New Suns: Fantasy And Science Fiction For A Better World, Jennifer Rosenstein

Social Justice Week

This event is inspired by the Octavia Butler quote "There is nothing new under the sun, but there are new suns." We will explore examples of fantasy and science fiction from the library collection that imagine worlds that are more just and varied. To work for a more just world we need to be able to imagine it. We will briefly present each book and explain how the world of the books presents a radical reimagining of some aspect of society.

Immersed In The Fantastical: Creating Timeless Fantasy Realms And Stories, Kirk Kraft

Masters Theses

The first section of the thesis, my artist statement, discusses my purpose as a writer, what drives me to improve, how I hope to create lasting stories that will outlive me and how this will contribute to becoming a Christian scholar. The introduction will include when I discovered my love for writing and what inspired me to become a storyteller. I’ll briefly discuss my writing process, ideas, imagination and the power of feedback. The discussion will move to my desire to create memorable stories with staying power, similar to Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, deep diving into my …

Review: The Orphan And The Mouse, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 7-9

Cooperation, Cleverness, Compassion, Courage, Determination, Encouragement, Fearlessness, Friendship, Ingenuity, Perseverance, Resolve, Resourcefulness, Respect, Self-respect, Spunk, Trustworthiness

Review: Urchin Of The Riding Stars, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Ambition, Citizenship, Courage, Cooperation, Dependability, Devotion, Diversity, Faith, Fearlessness, Greed, Hope, Initiative, Inspiration, Jealousy, Pride, Respect, Responsibility, Spunk, steadfastness, Survival (physical), Trust, Trustworthiness

Review: Time Stops For No Mouse: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Boldness, Caring, Cleverness, Creativity, Curiosity, Dependability, Devotion, Diversity, Duty, Fearlessness, Friendship, Hope, Humility, Inquisitiveness, Kindness, Loyalty, Resilience, Survival, Work ethic

Review: The Ruins Of Gorlan, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 10-12

Acceptance, Courage, Endurance, Fear, Dependability, Determination, Forgiveness, Ingenuity, Initiative, Leadership, Loyalty, Obedience, Patience, Resilience, Respect, Self-control, Survival (Physical), Trust, Trustworthiness, Wisdom, Work ethic

Review: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Courage, Cooperation, Devotion, Dignity, Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hope, Inspiration, Joyfulness, Kindness, Leadership, Love, Obedience, Respect, Responsibility, Sacrifice, Selflessness, Strength, Survival, Trust, Trustworthiness, Unselfishness, Wonder

Review: The Iron, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Caring, Citizenship, Cooperation, Coping, Courage, Determination, Dignity, Duty, Endurance, Fear, Greed, Honesty, Honor, Humility, Inspiration, Joyfulness, Knowledge, Leadership, Love, Loyalty, Maturity, Patience, Perseverance, Resilience, Respect, Responsibility, Selflessness, Self-control, Self-respect, Tolerance, Wisdom, Work ethic  

Review: The Green Ember, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Acceptance, Boldness, Citizenship, Cleverness, Community, Confidence, Courage, Craftsmanship, Dependability, Determination, Devotion, Discernment, Discipline, Diversity, Duty, Encouragement, Endurance, Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Friendship, Hope, Imagination, Individuality, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Obedience, Passion, Patriotism, Pride, Resolve, Resourcefulness, Respect, Responsibility, Spunk, Steadfastness, Survival (Physical), Trust, Trustworthiness, Wisdom

Review: The Book Of Three, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Cooperation, Coping, Courage, Dependability, Determination, Devotion, Diversity, Duty, Endurance, Fear, Fearlessness, Friendship, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, Imagination, Joyfulness, Kindness, Leadership, Maturity, Obedience, Persistence, Pride, Resilience, Resolve, Respect, Responsibility, Sacrifice, Sharing, Spunk, Strength, Trust, Trustworthiness, Unselfishness, Wisdom

Review: Parsifal's Page, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Boldness, Compassion, Competition, Cooperation, Courage, Dependability, Devotion, Diligence, Discipline, Duty, Encouragement, Fairness, Fearlessness, Forgiveness, Friendliness, Friendship, Generosity, Honesty, Hope, Humility, Initiative, Kindness, Knowledge, Loyalty, Maturity, Obedience, Patience, Pride, Respect, Responsibility, Sharing, Spunk, Wisdom, Work ethic

Review: Fairest, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Boldness, Caring, Cheating, Citizenship, Cleverness, Compassion, Confidence, Coping, Courage, Determination, Devotion, Faithfulness, Greed, Hope, Initiative, Loyalty, Resolve, Respect, Responsibility, Self-reliance, Self-respect, Survival, Trustworthiness

Review: Airborn, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 10-12

Caring, Cooperation, Courage, Determination, Family loyalty, Friendship, Hope, Loyalty, Resolve, Responsibility, Self-reliance, Spunk, Trustworthiness

Review: A Wrinkle In Time, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 10-12

Acceptance, Caring, Compassion, Cooperation, Determination, Devotion, Empathy, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Family love, Family loyalty, Hope, Individuality, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Obedience, Resilience, Responsibility, Trust

The Space Between The Trees: Creative Symbolism In Fantasy, Matthew W. Fenn

Masters Theses

Symbolism points towards absolute truths, while not claiming to be the source of that truth, but rather an expression of it. Utilizing symbolism within writing is a way to convey the author’s faith. One can provide symbolic meaning, but as a Christian with a biblically interpreted outlook, these literary devices can be used as both a voice of good and a reflection of holiness.

“The Atmosphere That Supports Life On Earth”: An Ecocritical Approach To Tolkien’S Arda, Elizabeth Anne Turello

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Ecocriticism speaks to the relationship between the environment and literature, a progressively vital topic of discussion. What is often overlooked, however, is the necessity of the theory’s applicability to stories of speculative fiction; that is, ones existing outside the realm of the real world or, as is the case with the father of modern-day fantasy J.R.R. Tolkien, a mythology set in the ancient days of our world (“Arda”). At first, it may seem contradictory to learn about our surroundings through fictionalized ones seemingly irrelevant to Earth’s own; this apparent contradiction is not valid, though, as the relationship between humans and …

Fantasy And Faith: Lewis And Tolkien On Magic In Fantastical Literature, Zion Lang

Senior Honors Theses

Despite biblical warnings against the occult, Christian authors C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien incorporated many kinds of magic into their works of fantasy. These authors had an orthodox view of the occult, but they also believed that fantasy magic differs from the esoteric: its purpose is imaginative, rather than power-seeking, and it is usually part of the imagined laws of the fantasy world. Lewis focused on the mythic side of fantasy and included more ambiguous magic. Tolkien focused on fantasy as eucatastrophic fairy tale, and his works include somewhat divine supernatural forces. Nonetheless, both authors saw fantasy …

Volume 25 Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal, published in Spring 2010, is a reflection of editor Brooke Hobby’s vision for engaging, contemporary literature. The issue, archived as Volume 25, Issue 1, corresponds to the print edition labeled Volume 28, Issue 2. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

In her editor’s note, Hobby expresses her desire to move away from the "great literature" of the past and focus on the stories and poetry …

Volume 24 Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal, published in Fall 2009, is uniquely titled "Readerwriteritis: A (Mostly) Speculative Fiction Issue", highlighting its strong emphasis on speculative storytelling and literary experimentation. The issue is archived as Volume 24, Issue 2, while the print edition is labeled Volume 28, Issue 1. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

The preface by editor Benjamin David Lee Johnson reflects on the therapeutic power of creative writing, …

Returning To The Beginning Place: Le Guin’S Forgotten Anti-Fantasy Four Decades On, Timothy S. Miller

UKL: The Journal of Ursula K. Le Guin Studies

Ursula K. Le Guin's 1980 portal fantasy The Beginning Place has received a fraction of the critical attention that most of her other novels have attracted over the years. This short book's many enigmas, often structured by self-consciously Jungian symbolism, are best understood as operating in service not to a strict Jungian framework, but rather to a broader metafictional evaluation of fantasy and an articulation of Le Guin's own preferred approach to the reading and interpretation of fantasy. At times, The Beginning Place moves beyond meta-fantasy to become an anti-fantasy that does not shy from critiquing some dimensions of both …

Trans Inequity, Intersectional Ritual, And Jewish Tikkun Olam (Healing Of The World), Valerie Estelle Frankel

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

As Jewish science fiction expands into twenty-first-century questions of identity, some authors explore the trans experience and build bridges towards intersectionality. Ritual and tradition become popular subjects. In the post-apocalyptic Fragments of the Brooklyn Talmud by Andrew Ramer, diverse rabbis create new prayers and practices. A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys offers protagonists from a diverse commune who welcome aliens and rise up against the corporations. Bogi Takács’ short story “Three Partitions” questions where to segregate the shapeshifting Adira, and how the Orthodox space colony can change. Several of these stories ask how comfortable Jewish protagonists are with alien rituals …