[Jorgen]

I guess almost everyone on this board is aware that most kitchen scullions the author shows any interest in are sure to turn out to be either of noble birth, or some great magicians’ sons (Jordan, Goodkind, Williams, you name it). You also know that whenever one picks up a fantasy book, it will probably be about kings, thrones, crowns, princes etc. The question is: why do we buy it?
One of the reasons I can think of (and I myself am a huge fantasy fan, mind you) is that all this stuff is just our good old snobbery, I mean the vague idea that true nobles have something to them that can be acquired but through heredity; something special that can not be learned: it just IS.

Another reason that jumps to my mind is Nietzsche’s theory about some people being superior to others (an idea that permeates the whole fantasy genre, or so it seems). In a way that means that all fantasy fans including me are either adepts of social darvinism (which I doubt) or just enough self-centered to be able to identify themselves (I mean ourselves) with heroes so clearly super-human…
What do you think?

[Bardos]

I think you're right. Usually fantasy writers/fans think themselves something "other" than other people, and that reflects in their writing and, also, what they like.

This need a big discussion, but haven't got time now. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Ntschotschi]

Disregarding the fact that you misunderstand Nietzsche imo I think there's much truth in what you say.
If you look at some fantasy books with a critical eye you'll find a lot of racism, feudalism, faschistoid structures,chauvinism, rule of the strongest either by blood or violence etc. if you want. It's true.

On the other hand it's all a little bit like a big masquerade. There's this cloak of fantasy which is thrown over ordinary human conflicts which gives it some kind of glamour. Reading fantasy is imo a little bit like going to a fancy dress party. You enjoy dressing up like princess or knight and enjoy the party while it lasts but you don't seriously believe in it. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Ntschotschi (edited May 06, 2002).]

[AnomanderRake]

Who doesnt want to be all powerful is this life? Everytime I read a fantasy novel or even science fiction crud even just fiction, I want to be that person that overcomes everything. I read fiction/sciencefiction/fantasy to leave this world to be in another. I want to be king or at least be better than a king.

[MrKip]

I think some of it must be plot orientated as well. The vast majority of fantasy is set in a time scale similar to that of late medieval Europe. How many famous names from that time weren't high born? It is simple fact that fantasy authers like to right about the destruction of kingdoms and the changing of worlds. Scullery maids would have little effects in this arena. If fantasy authers liked to write about medieval soap operas based in small villages in the middle of no where, I'm sure you would see far more stable lads who were actually the sons of farriers and not lords.