S24 Performance of Children's Literature

CASD 1717 – Spring 2024

Fantasy and Children’s Literature

When thinking about fantasy, we have a few milestones. The first is J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. Tolkien is most famous for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and its precursor written for children, The Hobbit.

Tolkien is credited with creating what we sometimes call “High Fantasy” or “Epic Fantasy” – stories that center on a true battle between good and evil. When you think of many of the tropes of fantasy literature, many find their roots in Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings had a profound impact on the shape of fantasy literature.

Tolkien’s work was inspired by the fairy and folk tales that fascinated him as a child. He was educated at Oxford and was part of a literary circle called the Inklings, in which C.S. Lewis was also a member. Tolkien served in the British army during Worl War I which shaped some of the themes of his writing. Tolkien was a philologist, and with his fascination with languages and their development he created a number of different languages for his fantasy world.

Read

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien, 1937

Read Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Excerpt

Tolkien began sketches of the first books of The Lord of the Rings around the same time but continued to work on them intermittently for the next decade. They were not published until 1954. In creating Middle-Earth, the fantasy world in which the books take place, Tolkien wrote an immense amount of material, some of which would later be published as The Silmarillion by his son.

Watch: The Lord of the Rings

It’s been over 20 years since the release of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first movie of a trilogy based on the trio of The Lord of the Rings books, but these films (and books) continue to have a massive following.

Note: This is one of the few times your instructor recommends the film over the book. Ask her why sometime.

The Hobbit is a much simpler story and aimed at children, but due to the success of the Lord of the Rings films, it was turned into its own trio of films.

An older animated version:

Watch: Lord of the Rings in Parody and Fun

Throughout, the main star was probably the country of New Zealand where the movies were all filmed.

Have you encountered Tolkien’s work before? What strikes you about the excerpt or the film trailers? What kinds of things do you expect to see in a fantasy story?

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Comments

20 responses to “Fantasy and Children’s Literature”

  1. Ekaterini Fasarakis Avatar
    Ekaterini Fasarakis

    I have never encountered Tolkien’s work before because this type of fantasy doesn’t fascinate me as much as other types of classic fairytales. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit dive more into the darker side of fairytales. In the trailers shown above, there are dark scenes and the weather depicts scary moments that will occur. In other fairytale stories, I expect there to be dark characters but not as dark as the ones shown above.

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  2. Juliana Moreno Duran Avatar
    Juliana Moreno Duran

    Just like my classmate Ekaterini, I have never encountered this type of work before as this genre does not belong to the things I personally find interesting or entertaining. My husband on the other side, does enjoy Tolkien’s work and has tried to make me see it and understand it from distinct points of view. I am not a big fan of the fantasy genre, and much less of the darker side of it. I grew up reading and watching happy stories where fairies help the little girl get out of trouble, or magic worlds where the good always wins, people can communicate with nature, and all sorts of dreams are possible!

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  3. Natasha Marques Avatar
    Natasha Marques

    I am familiar with the movies of Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. I didn’t read the books of these stories. I enjoy that descriptive part of the writing because it helps the reader imagine what the surroundings look like, what the characters look like and when it is made into a movie its like part of your imagination is coming to life.

    Fantasy stories their are always magical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, fairies, and elves. There is always a quest that someone needs to go on. There is always someone with magic powers and epic battle that the main character must face.

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  4. Milen Bekis Avatar
    Milen Bekis

    I am very familiar with all the works of Tolkien. The film trailers are stunning. The CGI is on point and many key factors (Of a fantasy movie) are shown. In a fantasy story, I expect made-up characters that you do not see in everyday life. For example, elves, demons, dragons, witches, magicians, living over 100 years, etc.

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  5. Aya Ibrahim Avatar
    Aya Ibrahim

    I am somewhat familiar with the works of Tolkien, as my dad is a pretty big fan of the Lord of the Rings series, but I can’t say that I have ever watched any of the movies in full or even read any of the books. I had been terrified when I had seen the huge spider character ( Shelob- I had to search it up ) and even Gollum’s appearance didn’t really leave me with much of a desire to pursue the series. From watching the film trailers and looking at the excerpt, I am surprised by the clear attention to detail provided. It is pretty on par with what I would imagine a fantasy world would be like, as the outfits/costumes are pretty cool and there are beings that aren’t human. It also is clear that there is a journey or mission to embark on, which I believe is a big part of many fantasy stories.

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  6. Badra Ahmad Avatar
    Badra Ahmad

    Yes, I’m familiar with Tolkien’s work. What strikes me about the excerpt or the film trailers is the vivid world-building and the sense of epic adventure. In a fantasy story, I expect to see elements like magical creatures, epic quests, intricate lore, and themes of heroism and good versus evil.

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  7. Basamat Hamdan Avatar
    Basamat Hamdan

    Have you encountered Tolkien’s work before? What strikes you about the excerpt or the film trailers? What kinds of things do you expect to see in a fantasy story?

    I have heard of “The Lord of The Rings” but I have never actually watched any of it. I’m not at all familiar with Tolkien’s work. One thing that strikes me is the amazing graphics in the trailers. It genuinely looked captivating and captured the imaginative world perfectly. I love the aspect of adventuring through nature, be it mountains or caves, and made-up creatures.
    Fantasy stories typically have adventure. They include mythical creatures and other imaginative beings. Many times, the main character has a mission and a huge burden of responsibility on them. They might have a guiding being with them, as well. I expect to see a clear good and bad side.

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  8. Obeed Ahmed Avatar
    Obeed Ahmed

    Yes, Tolkien’s writings are essential to the fantasy genre and have had a long-lasting influence on both popular and literary culture. His novels, including “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” have feature trailers and extracts that evoke a sense of epic adventure and take viewers to bright, immersive worlds teeming with magical creatures, rich lore, and different cultures. What really stands out to me is the world-building’s painstaking attention to detail, which is combined with intriguing individuals who go on heroic and self-discovering adventures. I anticipate finding aspects such as complex magical systems, moral quandaries, grand conflicts between good and evil, and themes of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie weaved into stories that capture the imagination and curiosity. 

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  9. Cheyenne La Fritz Avatar
    Cheyenne La Fritz

    I have not read or watched any of Tolkien’s work before but I have heard of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. However, I do want to eventually watch it as I enjoy fantasy as a genre. What I expect to see in a fantasy story is magic, mythical creatures, fantastical characters, and grand settings. These include but are not limited to wizards, witches, dragons, fairies, enchanted forests, and kingdoms. The Lord of the Rings strikes me as a fantasy story surrounding darkness as the hero and his group go on a treacherous journey to defeat it. The Hobbit strikes me as the origin of the characters in Lord of the Rings. While the trailer for Lord of the Rings was more action-packed with dark settings, the Hobbit seems to be more whimsical and adventurous.

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  10. Dionisia Payamps Avatar
    Dionisia Payamps

    Have you encountered Tolkien’s work before? What strikes you about the excerpt or the film trailers? What kinds of things do you expect to see in a fantasy story?

    Tolkien’s complex worlds, like those in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” amaze me. They have such deep histories and a wide range of nations. The epic scale of his stories is captured in movies, which show big fights and memorable characters. I expect fantasy stories to have magical elements, epic quests, complicated characters, and themes of good vs. evil. All of this should happen in a world that I can clearly imagine is full of adventure and wonder.

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  11. Hasiena Madramootoo Avatar
    Hasiena Madramootoo

    I have not encountered Tolkien’s work before, because these are not the type of stories that I normally watch or follow. when it comes to fantasy stories I would expect to see made up creatures and magical places, portal to another world and more of the idea that there something beyond this world.

    Reply
  12. Quesia Cruz Avatar
    Quesia Cruz

    I have not encountered Tolkien’s work before but I did know about The Lord Of the Rings, I really like the movies and I remember how popular they were, I did not know that the Hobbits were created and then the whole saga of the lord of the rings. I love how descriptive the excerpt was and the world of fantasy is great for me I love these movies.

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  13. Martina Arriola Avatar
    Martina Arriola

    Have you encountered Tolkien’s work before? What strikes you about the excerpt or the film trailers? What kinds of things do you expect to see in a fantasy story?
    I know the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies but have never read the books. I like how the books describe everything in detail in Chapter 1 of “The Hobbit”. Tolkien describes Bilbo Baggins’ hobbit hole as a cozy and snug home with a round door that looks like it belongs in a fairytale. The Shire is described as a peaceful and picturesque place, with rolling green hills, colorful gardens, and cute little houses that make you feel warm inside. When Gandalf arrives, he’s described as a mysterious and magical figure with a long grey cloak and a pointy hat that adds an air of excitement and adventure to the story. I like some fantasy stories, especially those that are full of cool creatures like dragons, unicorns, fairies, and elves. The main character always has to go on a big adventure, and they usually have some magic powers. Of course, there’s always a huge battle at the end that they have to win to save the day.

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  14. Revette Hinkson Avatar
    Revette Hinkson

    I am not familiar with Tolkien’s work, but I am also not a fan of these types of films or books that are fantasy, mystical, supernatural, dramatic and can include violence at times. What I know of these films sums up to what I have seen in the trailers or heard others talk about them. However, what strikes me the most about these types of movies, is that the stories and plots are very familiar, often about a quest to fulfill a purpose or to overcome some type of evil. They also often include some type of mythical creatures, fantasy, challenges or a good over evil story, and in most cases a love story is a part of the outcome.

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  15. Katherine Abalonski Avatar
    Katherine Abalonski

    Yes, I am familiar with Tolkien’s work. I watched all the lord of the rings movies when I was younger but never really read the books. Based on this chapter though, I like how descriptive he is with everything. It really immerses the reader in to the book. He has a way to capture and share this imaginative world.

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  16. Vanessa Alamo Avatar
    Vanessa Alamo

    Yes, I am well-versed in Tolkien’s literary works! His work is incredibly detailed, creating complex worlds with a wide range of historical, linguistic, and cultural perspectives. His book excerpts frequently exude grandeur and profundity, drawing readers into imaginary worlds with unique laws and histories.

    The cinematic trailers, on the other hand, usually convey the grandiose scope of Tolkien’s stories by presenting expansive vistas, titanic conflicts, and endearing characters. Heroes often face powerful opponents in perilous adventures, adding to the sense of adventure and suspense.

    Reply
  17. hannah xhani Avatar
    hannah xhani

    Have you encountered Tolkien’s work before? I have, the trailers to the movies that you had provided are just one of the series that I have watched growing up. My parents were big fans of the portrayal of the story in, lord of the rings, and I too began to see the magic so realistic come alive.
    What strikes you about the excerpt or the film trailers?
    There is nothing really like it. To the detailing of the characters that look human but have some strange characteristics to make them at the same time look different is special. The sceneries are done with lots of true nature qualities so it almost feels real. These series are the best in its genre.
    What kinds of things do you expect to see in a fantasy story?
    This puts the stakes high, but I find that human qualities and personalities that shine in the fantasy world makes it more attractive and believable to watch it and not say to yourself, “this looks so fake.”

    Reply
  18. Renee Montperous Avatar
    Renee Montperous

    Although I haven’t read any of Tolkien’s works, I also don’t like fantasy literature or movies of this genre. I expect fantasy to have quests, secret realms, mystical creatures, and magic.

    Reply
  19. Hanan Almoflihi Avatar
    Hanan Almoflihi

    I have actually read this book before. One of the things I noticed in this book in particular was the lack of any female characters at all, and how the movie adaptation added some. Some of the aspects that make these the pinnacle of fantasy are the adventure and journey that the main character must go on, and some of the mythical creatures such as dragons.

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  20. Crisbely Inoa Veras Avatar
    Crisbely Inoa Veras

    Have you encountered Tolkien’s work before? What strikes you about the excerpt or the film trailers? What kinds of things do you expect to see in a fantasy story?

    I had not encountered Tolkien’s work before. Tolkien’s talent for describing scenes really stands out in this excerpt. Although this isn’t something I usually go for fantasy stories like these take you to magical worlds where anything can happen, letting you escape into adventure and explore big ideas through cool places and characters that are totally out of this world.

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