The Art of Addressing Controversial Subjects in Fantasy Novels

Fantasy novels have a longstanding tradition of touching on controversial subjects, gracefully venturing into territories where other genres fear to tread. Their unique use of symbolism, allegory, and metaphor lets them comment on current debates and resolved topics from the past, without coming off as preachy or moralistic. This essay will explore how these books handle such topics with grace and subtlety.

Look into the Funhouse Mirror!

The first element fantasy uses to present controversial issues is its ability to act as a funhouse mirror, magnifying, distorting, or minifying real-world concerns and presenting them in fresh contexts. By displacing these debates into imagined universes, these stories can illuminate different facets of topics that feel too daunting or messy in their original contexts. This displacement gives readers space to process and reflect upon these issues. For example, consider the topic of racial or ethnic discrimination, a contentious current issue. Authors manipulate this subject into conflicts between fantastical races like elves and dwarves, aliens and humans, wizards and muggles. This approach allows readers to reflect upon the consequences and implications of prejudiced perspectives without feeling defensive or confronted.

Moral Ambiguity and other Challenges

Developing on the "funhouse mirror" strategy, fantasy novels often use moral ambiguity or complexity to delve into controversial topics without enforcing a didactic stance. By embracing shades of grey and rejecting black and white morality, these stories facilitate nuanced discussions that are more about questions than answers. This technique especially comes in handy while dealing with matters from the past, such as colonial exploitation or hierarchical societies. A novel might portray an empire with benevolent rulers, but also show the suppressed voices and injustice in the system, revealing the multifaceted reality of colonial powers. It avoids making preachy declarations but nudges readers into questioning and learning.

Characters Crossing Taboo Lines

Character-driven narratives in fantasy novels often confront sensitive topics by having protagonists cross societal taboo lines. The readers grow akin to these characters and ultimately uphold their decisions, which leads to valuable pondering on the nature of these taboos. For instance, a fantasy novel could feature a protagonist participating in forbidden magic, challenging religious orthodoxy or rigid societal norms. By rooting for such characters, readers unknowingly find themselves questioning the stringency and relevance of such restrictions. So, the novel addresses the issues without sermonizing the reader.

Engaging with Human Nature and Emotions

Lastly, fantasy novels subtly comment on controversial matters by showcasing the universal aspects of human experience - love, grief, ambition, fear, and bravery. By connecting these universal emotions to divisive topics, these stories weave a delicate balance between empathy and critiquing, which strengthens the readers' engagement and understanding. E.g., suppose a novel introduces a magic system that's exploitative towards a group of people. The narrative keeps highlighting the emotional toll it takes on these people - their fear, despair, and yearning for freedom. Such a portrayal would encourage readers to empathize and contemplate the injustice without imposing an overt judgement.

Fantasy novels employ a variety of techniques to delve into controversial subjects without becoming preachy. Using imagined settings, morally ambiguous characters, and universal human emotions, they invite readers to reconsider these matters from new angles. By adopting such approaches, fantasy proves its worth as a genre not just for escapism, but also for insightful commentary on the real world.

- Peace

-Sal