Is fiction simply a form of escapism or is there any fiction which raises specific issues that make the reader think. Examples could be racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Political power in Orwell's 1984.
I think there is certainly more to fiction than just escapism. 1984 and other dystopian fiction novels hype up themes that are present in reality and let readers explore these themes in a way that is both removed and grounded in reality. However, the fantasy genre might delve more deeply into the realm of escapism due to the make-believe aspects, although themes like friendship, love, courage, good vs. evil, etc., are also present in fantasy works. – S.A. Takacs9 years ago
I think even in the escapism there is still ways that literature makes people think and feel - even if it's operating on a subconscious level. Like S.A. Takacs said, I think fantasy is the genre that really uses escapism as a tool for greater commentary on the world we live in. Escapism doesn't have to be shallow. It can be a real way of looking at the colors in the world again, to echo a quote I saw a while ago from George R.R. Martin. – Helen Parshall9 years ago
Everything is escapism. But what's so bad about that? The best stories I've read, often being fantasy books and all, were entertaining, but they were always more than just entertaining, they were truthful, they pulled at my heart, made me feel, made me want something I can never have truly. There's a difference between escaping and going off the deep end into something versus enjoying and getting pleasure out of something. I find that critics who accuse various genres, such as fantasy, romance, and so on, don't really know what they're talking about. Clearly they haven't read the poetic mastery of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea books, written as if it were an actual epic tale transcribed, or Neil Gaiman's surreal masterpiece, American Gods, exploring an America I've never seen before, and of course Harry Potter, whose story apparently says more than one actually realizes. Even George RR Martin's Game of Thrones says something about human nature. It's just a bit more hidden through the lens of entertainment and pleasure, which perhaps makes it a lot more enjoyable to find and interpret. And perhaps what escapism really is, is a desire that has gone unfulfilled and is wished for constantly again and again. Yet at the same time it is satisfied. Hope this is good food for thought. – Starvix Draxon9 years ago
Like Starvix says, everything is escapism. However, just because something is intended for escapism, does not mean it has to serve only one function. Literature can provide alternative/examination/solution while escaping from stressful and problematic topics of reality. – idleric9 years ago
The original novel of Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux was published in the 1880s and yet is still known by today's audiences. It has been turned into a silent horror film, a sound horror film, a romantic miniseries, and is most widely known as a musical. What about this story is so resonant? What have the many adaptations done to make the story relevant?
Great idea! I think it would be really interesting to hone this topic through discussion of the horror/romance dichotomy.. maybe it could even nod towards the much-anticipated adaptation of Beauty and the Beast? (A little off topic but the attraction to the not-so-charming Prince still stands..) – Jessica Marie Farrugia9 years ago
Since Fifty Shades of Grey, which started as a Twilight fanfiction, became an international best seller and major movie the merit of fanfiction is called into question. Does fanfiction deserve the same credit as the literature its based on? What are other notable works of fanfiction that have become prevalent in mainstream society? At what point does a work stop being fanfiction and start being its own independent work – like in the case with Fifty Shades?
I think fan fiction is very important in terms of a cultural expression. I'm still very cautious and confused by things like 50 Shades, but fan fiction itself was the first way I really learned to connect with literature and thing about it in terms of art. It's a unique sphere, certainly. – Helen Parshall9 years ago
I feel that fan fiction is an double edged sword. I do believe that it allows young writers to expand of fictional worlds they enjoy. However, many people do not take this seriously. For more sensitive fans this can excite obvious rage. Worse, I think fan fiction generally has a bad reputation due to this. It's easy to overlook. It's just an unfortunate bi-product of the Internet age. – MerlinTheMighty9 years ago
I think one of the things that angered quite a few people about 50 Shades is that it was based on fanfiction. And one rule of fanfiction at least as I understood it, is that it is not to published or sold like that. It also be interesting to talk about copyright law and fanfiction and how some writers like Anne Rice won't allow fans to write fanfiction with her characters. – Cagney9 years ago
What are the aspects involved for authors writing a biography or autobiography worth reading?
The best biographies are the one that are not scarred to show the true flaws of a political figure or entertainment figure. This not to villanize them, but instead makes them more human, and it shows that even they had flaws. – Aaron Hatch9 years ago
I think good biographies/autobiographies have a good narrative flow to them. They read like a story, not just a presentation of facts and dates. I also agree with the character development aspect of good (auto)biographies. Personally, I enjoy David McCullough's works--he's written about Harry Truman, Ben Franklin, John Adams, to name a few. – S.A. Takacs9 years ago
Do we want a Shining more so than a Watchmen? Analyse to what extent should writers and directors go to (literally) adapt the material at hand. Suggest a method for completing the perfect adaptation from book to screen.
Good article topic! The article could also use successful film adaptations to support their argument on how to complete a perfect adaptation. Also, state specific examples from films that failed to adapt the film successfully, listing what they did wrong (i.e. casting, visual effects, etc.) – Amanda Dominguez-Chio10 years ago
The idea is good. There are two answers to this: how old is the material, if old Like Arthurian Romance, then its up for grabs, if written within the last three centuries, then one may consider the vision of the book, like Oliver Twist and or Earthsea. Ultimately it depends on the work. I recommend consulting The Art of Adaptation by Laura Mulvey. – Travis Kane10 years ago
George R.R. Martin is obviously known very well for the books behind Game of Thrones, but what about his other literature? A few highlights of his best non-GoT novels/short stories, and why they're worth reading.
Typically, in a fandom community fans will feel the need to 'ship' or wish for two characters to be in a romantic relationship. Movie Studios even have picked up on this and themed merchandise for ship (i.e. Twilight and Team Edward or Jacob.) But why? What does a romantic relationship do or not do for a story? Why do some fans feel the need to protect their ship?
Of particular note could be Harry Potter, Twilight, and most recently the Avengers.
Could also be interesting to look at shipping in terms of sexuality as well. For example, the Cumberbatch Sherlock and Watson relationship has a very strong fanbase, as well as shipping between Beca and Chloe from Pitch Perfect, despite the fact that it's indicated (in Pitch Perfect at least) that the characters are opposite-gender attracted. – Hannah Spencer9 years ago
