IMHO I think that the term "fantasy" is used as a crutch by victims of public education who are unaware of any other philosophical mindsets other than post-Enlightenment. The term "fantasy" frequently (at least recently) is used for defining anything blatantly medieval or mythological in origin. Ironic, since virtually every good story, modern or not, is based on a mythological precedent. Hell, virtually everything Shakespeare wrote was based upon his encounter with Ovid and other Greco-Roman classics that he read in grammar school. Google Pyramus and Thisbe, Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, Troilus and Cressida, etc.
Books, and now movies, such as Narnia
(see http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1749635)
and LOTR are blatantly derived from the mythos of the Middle Ages, stories that were familiar to everyone when grammar school meant that you learned a language OTHER than English such as Greek or Latin. The battle of the Alamo was dubbed the "Thermopylae of the West" because even the poorly educated had some knowledge of their Western heritage.
Anyway my question is:
Is the term fantasy used as a blanket term for anything that nerds will probably like (since fantasy movies have grossed more than any other genre recently, means either nerds went enough for everyone else, or a whole lot or "regular" people went too)
A blanket term for anything that is not "modern"
An intellectual crutch for describing anything medieval in origin as if it does not have as impressive an ability at giving purpose and inspiring its readers as any other period.
Or something else?
PS, there are several academic studies floating around concerning this, but I'm curious on ATOT's thoughts.
Books, and now movies, such as Narnia
(see http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1749635)
and LOTR are blatantly derived from the mythos of the Middle Ages, stories that were familiar to everyone when grammar school meant that you learned a language OTHER than English such as Greek or Latin. The battle of the Alamo was dubbed the "Thermopylae of the West" because even the poorly educated had some knowledge of their Western heritage.
Anyway my question is:
Is the term fantasy used as a blanket term for anything that nerds will probably like (since fantasy movies have grossed more than any other genre recently, means either nerds went enough for everyone else, or a whole lot or "regular" people went too)
A blanket term for anything that is not "modern"
An intellectual crutch for describing anything medieval in origin as if it does not have as impressive an ability at giving purpose and inspiring its readers as any other period.
Or something else?
PS, there are several academic studies floating around concerning this, but I'm curious on ATOT's thoughts.