High fantasy
High fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that is set in invented or parallel worlds.
The best-known and often held as typifying example in western literature would probably be The Lord of the Rings, whose popularity spurred innumerable imitators.
The corresponding term of low fantasy is not necessarily defined purely in opposition to high fantasy's use of a secondary world setting.
Sexism & high fantasy
Cod-medieval high fantasy worlds, which are extremely popular, often replicate conventionally-held ideas about women's place in medieval societies. Which is to say that, either though narrative limitations, lack of research, imagination, or interest, they present societies which are both far less complex than the ones that existed in the past, and very likely to correspond to women's roles in other fantasy stories rather than in history.
They also thrive on exceptionalism as a means of allowing heroines to have adventures in spite of the restrictive gender roles in their societies.
Feminism & high fantasy
Conversely, feminist writers have used high fantasy settings to re-envision gender.
- Examples
- the works of Laurie J. Marks
External Links
- This article is a SEED, meaning it is tiny and needs lots of work. Help it grow.