Wk 1 - Dark Fantasy Analysis Paper Literature & Language Essay

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Dark Fantasy Analysis
1.0. Situating the Beginning of the Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction Story
By most accounts, it is evident that the roots of science fiction are untraceable. A few references show that it started as early as somewhere around 2000 BCE in a non-recognized form. However, it was somewhere past the 17th century, when scientific knowledge was in its early phases of diffusion, that science fiction took its initial start. However, modern science fiction stories built around the themes of modern artifacts or their evolved-form arguably started following the major scientific revolution in the latter half of the 20th century (Rogers and Stevens 9). The modern fantasy that revolves around supernatural elements also has its roots in the literature created around that era.
The story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is a pure example of modern treatment of dark genre as it characterizes several modern elements, including lottery, social system, gathering, and rules-based rituals. Since its beginning, the story foreshadows an unexpected and horrifying twist. The sense of horror mainly arises from the names of characters (such as Grave) and the ritual of collecting stones. Tessie's protest in and of itself shows that winning the lottery has an inauspicious aspect to it (Jackson 25). Later, all these indications come true when Tessie has to pay the price for winning losing his life. All these elements, mainly including horror, strange rituals, and murder, are part of a modern approach to dark fiction.  
2.0. Common Conventions and Themes of Dark Fantasy and How They Have Evolved 
The common conventions of dark fantasy are supernatural elements, horror, and strange characterization or setting. Most of these conventions are present in The Lottery. The horror dwells in the undertone of the story despite a natural arrangement. Every new development in the story foreshadows a horrifying happening ahead. Tessie's assassination at the end of the story gives a heightened view of the darkness (Jackson 30-45). However, there are no supernatural, godly, or visceral elements upon which dark fantasy kept reducing its reliance over time. Classical fantasies, such as Dracula, are full of supernatural figures (Zimansky 829). It makes The Lottery more relatable to the modern understanding of dark fantasy. 
At the same time, the themes have evolved. In classical literature, the themes contained universally applicable moral lessons. Similarly, the main character of the story will usually be the protagonist with an ability to weather through all critical challenges (Stuhlemer 1). For example, in "The Citadel of Fear", one of two men on an adventure who had to fight with dark forces is a heroic adaptation (Vergara). However, these themes have dissipated and replaced over time with messages that are close to reality. For example, in The Lottery, Tessie, the main character is vulnerable instead of being a compelling character. The story conveys a sublime message that individuals are subject to the will of larger groups in civilization. Their detachment from the group leads to dire consequences as happened with Tessie (Jackson 75). At another level, the story depicts the values o...