2024-12-03 11:03:00
Fantasy authors like JRR Tolkien are often accused of escapism and conservative ideas. From Tolkien’s Ring epic emerged an extremely powerful industry. But fantasy is also booming online, with a very particular development.
It was a quickly scribbled phrase, transcribed in the Faculty of History and Literature at Oxford in the early 1930s, which woudl have a decisive influence on the literary genre of fantasy. The phrase was: “In a hole in the ground lived a hobbit.” It was written by a young lecturer, the british philologist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. In 1937 he placed these words at the beginning of the children’s book “The Hobbit,or There and Back Again.” The book takes readers too the fictional continent of Middle-earth and then to a complex parallel universe full of mythical creatures and magic, for which Tolkien developed his own languages, mythologies and maps and which later became the setting of his famous trilogy of novels ”The Lord of the Rings” (1954/1955) should be.
The story of the ring granting omnipotent powers has given rise to an extremely powerful industry: In the 1960s Tolkien’s epic caused a sensation, especially in the United States, says literary scholar Moritz Zwillingsen, who studies science at TU dresden Researches fiction and fantasy, in conversation with ARTE magazine. Tolkien’s books have influenced many writers and directors, as well as bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. In Germany the novels laid the foundations for the new literary genre of high fantasy, i.e. plots with magical elements set in particularly elaborately constructed worlds. Thanks to director Peter Jackson’s iconic film adaptations in the early 2000s, stories about hobbits, dwarves and elves have finaly reached the mainstream.
They have also changed the book market permanently: since the 2000s the fantasy genre has been one of the most stable segments of the sector, as the literary researchers Erika Thomalla and Lea Kubeneck demonstrated in 2024 on the basis of the bestseller lists of the “Spiegel” of last 24 years. Book scholar Derek buker now distinguishes between 17 different subgenres: including dark fantasy, in which plots with horror elements are at the center, or romance, in which a magical world full of mythical creatures and an intense story of love merge, as in the “Twilight” series (as 2005) by Stephanie Meyer.
Romance in particular is currently on the road to success: “This mix of genres is extremely in demand,” Tim Müller, program director of dtv-Verlag, told the “Neue Zürcher zeitung” this year. In addition to the love story and the impending battle between good and evil, sex scenes, some of which are written very explicitly, form the core of the novels. The stories are mostly told from the point of view of young women.
hype fantasy on social media
It is indeed precisely this target group that is fueling the trend on social media: under the hashtag #BookTok, it is mainly readers who show and rate their favorite books in videos viewed millions of times on TikTok. “Community cohesion and seemingly strong female characters can be seen as vital factors for the genre’s popularity,” says Moritz zwillingser. However, stereotypical gender roles and schematic representations of good and evil are also characteristic in most titles, the researcher notes.Perhaps this is precisely the charm: “Unlike life, in these stories there is almost always a happy ending.”
The accusation that fantasy authors tend to ignore social problems and spread conservative or reactionary ideas is not new. Closed worldviews and clichéd characters provide a lens for this purpose. Tolkien, whose complex material was drawn from his own life - such as from his experiences as a soldier in the First World war and from childhood memories – has also been described by critics as an escapist. He responded to this in the essay “On Fairy Stories” (1947), in which he argued for alternative worldviews: the task of a fantasy story is to show escape routes from a sad reality and provide comfort.A quality that probably makes the genre so popular even today.
The text appears in the December issue of the ARTE magazine.
What are some key themes in modern fantasy literature that differ from those explored by J.R.R. Tolkien?
Interview between Time.news Editor (E) and Fantasy Literature Expert (X)
E: Welcome,and thank you for joining us today to discuss the fascinating world of fantasy literature,notably focusing on its evolution as the time of J.R.R. Tolkien.
X: Thank you for having me! Tolkien’s influence on the genre cannot be overstated, and it’s exciting to delve into that.
E: Absolutely. Tolkien famously began his journey into fantasy wiht the phrase, “in a hole in the ground lived a hobbit.” What do you think drew readers to this particular sentence, and ultimately, to the world of Middle-earth?
X: That simple yet evocative line serves as a perfect gateway into a richly developed world. It invites curiosity about what lies beyond that unassuming hole. Tolkien’s ability to blend everyday elements with grandeur and adventure resonates deeply with readers, drawing them into a universe where they can escape reality and embark on epic quests.
E: Speaking of escaping reality, Tolkien, and other fantasy authors, have sometimes faced criticism for promoting escapism and conservative ideologies. How do you respond to that critique?
X: That’s a nuanced conversation. While it’s true that some elements in Tolkien’s work reflect traditional themes,fantasy as a genre doesn’t inherently promote conservatism. It often serves as a canvas for exploring complex social issues,identity,and the human experience. Many contemporary authors use fantasy to challenge societal norms, depict diversity, and address modern dilemmas—pushing back against the notion that it’s merely escapist literature.
E: Interesting! In recent years, we’ve seen a critically important boom in online fantasy writing and communities. What factors do you think have contributed to this surge?
X: The internet has democratized storytelling like never before. Platforms that allow for self-publishing and fan fiction have enabled diverse voices to emerge in the genre. Readers and writers can interact in real-time, fostering collaborative worlds and expanding narratives in ways that traditional publishing couldn’t. it’s a vibrant mix of creativity, allowing for a broader range of experiences and ideas.
E: With this new wave of writers, do you see any new trends in fantasy literature that differ from Tolkien’s time?
X: Absolutely! Today’s fantasy frequently enough blends genres, interweaving elements of science fiction, horror, and even romantic comedy. We’re also seeing a shift toward more inclusive narratives, with characters from various backgrounds and identities taking center stage. Authors are exploring themes of social justice, environmentalism, and personal identity, which resonate with contemporary readers in ways that Tolkien’s work may not have.
E: Given these advancements,how do you envision the future of fantasy literature? Will it remain a significant part of our cultural landscape?
X: I believe fantasy will continue to thrive,particularly in a world where imagination is still one of our greatest tools for understanding complex realities. The genre serves as a refuge for many, a way to navigate challenging issues through metaphor. provided that people crave stories that offer both adventure and reflection, fantasy will remain a vital part of literature.
E: Thank you so much for sharing your insights! It’s clear that Tolkien set the stage, but the evolution of fantasy literature is far from over. We look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
X: My pleasure! It’s an exciting time for fantasy, and I can’t wait to see how new voices will shape its future.
