Sign In
Not register? Register Now!
Pages:
4 pages/≈1100 words
Sources:
Check Instructions
Style:
MLA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 14.4
Topic:

Wk 2 - High Fantasy Author Analysis. Literature & Language Essay

Essay Instructions:

Wk 2 - High Fantasy Author Analysis 
Select one author from this week's readings. 
I’ve chosen J.R.R. Tolkien the short story Riddles in the Dark
The Prentice Hall Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy "Riddles in the Dark" (pp. 272-83)
Write a 700- to 1,050-word analysis paper of the selected author's writings as a representative example of the high fantasy genre. 
Include a discussion of the following: • The archetypal themes, such as the world created by the author for the story (world building)• The techniques of style that make this author a great writer in this genre, such as how the author creates individual voices for his or her characters and how the author uses language formally and as a tool for establishing tone• How dark and high fantasy are distinguished from each other as genres: What is unique to each, and where is there overlap?• What are common conventions and themes of high fantasy? How have they changed over the years?• What are the elements of characterization, plot, setting, and language in high fantasy stories? How have these changed over the years?• What is the relationship between the conventions, themes, and elements of high fantasy and the historical, cultural, and political contexts in which they were written? Provide examples. 
Cite at least two references (from sources on next page and from the short story “Riddles in the Dark” and you can quote from Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit too). 
Format your paper consistent with MLA guidelines.
 LIT/410: Literature of the FantasticHigh FantasyRequired Reading:• Whited, L. A. (2002). Ivory Tower and Harry Potter : Perspectives on a literary phenomenon. Columbia, MO, USA: University of Missouri Press, n/a.Optional Suggested Readings:• Erisman, F. (1986). Zenna Henderson's "People" and the quest for self-identity. Extrapolation (Kent State University Press), 27(4), 320-325.• Gaiman, N. (2001). Other people. Fantasy & Science Fiction 101(4/5), n/a.• Jackson, A. (2010). Authoring the Century: J. R. R. Tolkien, the Great War and Modernism. English: The Journal of The English Association, 59(224), 44-69.• Lee, T. (1998). All the birds of hell. Fantasy & Science Fiction, 94(4/5), 10.• Lee, T. (2000). The eye in the heart. Fantasy & Science Fiction, 98(3), 38.• Lee, T. (2002). In the city of dead night. Fantasy & Science Fiction, 103(4/5), 198.• Lee, T., & Kaiine, J. (1995). These beasts. Fantasy & Science Fiction, 88(6), 57.• MacDonald, G. (2006, March 1). Sir Gibbie. Sir Gibbie, n/a.• McLaren, S. (n.d). Saving the Monsters? Images of Redemption in the Gothic Tales of George MacDonald. Christianity & Literature, 55(2), 245-269.• Slabbert, M., & Viljoen, L. (2006). Following the many roads of recent Tolkien Scholarship. Christianity & Literature, 54(4), 587-608.• Smith, J. C. (1998). The heroine within: Psychological archetypes in Tanith Lee's A heroine of the world. Extrapolation (Kent State University Press), 52-56.Multimedia• A&E Networks (2009). Influence of Mythology (01:52) [Video file] in Tolkien's Monsters, Films on Demand.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Student
Professor
Course
Date
Riddles in the Dark Analysis
‘Riddles in the Dark’ is the most eminent chapter in Tolkien’s fantasy works. In this chapter, the author proposes an unbelievably vibrant and outstanding periodic adventure. While reading this, we gather the real heroism in Bilbo’s rise among the most prototypical fictional characters of the history (Lee and Kaiine 57). The paper provides a detailed analysis of high fantasy authors, notably Tolkien and his masterpiece ‘Riddles in the Dark’.
The World Building and Archetypal Themes
Iconic fantasy literature is with “a Secondary World” in which you can enter to spiritually intellectually (Erisman 323). When a reader feels inside that sphere, he believes in its construction and supposed realities. This imaginary world has intelligible and steady laws to invite credibility. Tolkien notifies, “the moment disbelief arises, the spell is broken” (Jackson 64). Hence, Tolkien is conscious about keeping his magic unfailing and unbroken when building a fantasy world for his characters. In ‘The Riddle in the Dark’ creates a space for Bilbo and other imaginary characters using his typical fantasy arts mastery. His precise determinations to paint the geography convincingly are tremendous(Jackson 63). It shows the author’s deliberate effort to keep his reader tied with the potent spell that specifies this chapter.
The Language, Voice and Tone
Tolkien comments on language in the Lords of the Rings, “The invention of language is the foundation”(Tolkien 223). His characters and several places in ‘the Riddles of the Dark’ connote the use of old and modern English. The characters speak English in believable imaginary voices and tones. An author builds language by selecting words and sentences and combining formal and abstract language to generate a specific tone. (Whited 14). Besides, the characters gasp, whisper and cry to contribute to the realistic appeal of Tolkien’s fabricated universe.
High Fantasy Vs Dark Fantasy
High fantasy is discriminated from dark fantasy in terms of the background setting and world-building. The works of J.R.R Tolkien fall into the category of high fantasy because he produces a deliberate imaginary world which he makes believable for the reader with excellent artistic skills (Whited 272). On the other hand, dark fantasy is cha racterized by the works of authors like Robert E. Howard.
The author of high fantasy builds a substitutional world of the real world with its particular visuals and laws (Lee and Kaiine 57). Contrary to this, dark fantasy is set in the actual world as background with fictional elements like magic, mystic and fairy-tale.
Both high and low fantasies illustrate magic or fictional themes on two different levels. While both subgenres denote to the expanse of bizarre in the fiction, high fantasy has loads of magi and unlike dark fantasy.
Themes and Convections of High Fantasy and Their Evolution
The most common convections of high fantasy are journeys and pursuits, unanticipated hero, invented world, good vs evil and appearance vs reality. Journeys are a popular theme in this genre, and unexpected, fanta...
Updated on
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

You Might Also Like Other Topics Related to language essays:

HIRE A WRITER FROM $11.95 / PAGE
ORDER WITH 15% DISCOUNT!