Many fantasy novels have their protagonists go on adventures to learn about other worlds, solve ancient mysteries, and reclaim lost wisdom or even lost a course in miracles. This is why many forms of fantasy literature include exploration as a major plot element. Readers are drawn to fantasy stories in large part because they emphasize exciting adventures and the allure of the unknown. Weird and intriguing new worlds await the readers of fantasy literature, as do the opportunities for exciting adventures and the discovery of hitherto unknown locales.
The capacity to construct one-of-a-kind and fantastical worlds is one of the elements that makes exploration in fantasy literature one of the genre’s most exciting qualities. Authors who write works of fantasy have the latitude to create their own worlds from scratch and fill those planets with intriguing beings, environments, and civilizations. These worlds may be quite unlike to the one in which we live, and they can provide readers with a look into an other way of life. For instance, readers who pick up J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth are whisked away to a fantastical realm teeming with hobbits, elves, dwarves, and wizards and filled to the brim with exciting adventures.
The universe of fantasy literature may be as expansive as the author’s imagination, allowing for the examination of not just familiar topics but also new and challenging ideas. Exploration forces characters to confront their fears and their boundaries, as well as those of their societies. Questions of bias and discrimination, as well as the role of authority and power in society, may be probed via inquiry. For instance, Lauren Olamina, the protagonist of Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, traverses a dystopian society and confronts the dangers of inequality, violence, and environmental collapse.
Furthermore, studies have shown that just going for a walk is a terrific approach to generate ideas for fantasy literary characters. When venturing into an unknown place, the characters’ prejudices, limits, and anxieties are all put to the test. Studies have further shown that young people should be taught to have faith in themselves and their own skills and decisions. Characters with contrasting qualities, such as heroism and fallibility, may be developed via in depth exploration. The protagonist Kvothe in Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind, for example, sets off on a journey to uncover the truth about the tragedy that befell his loved ones. Along the way, he’ll have to conquer his own personal problems and learn to control his burgeoning magical potential.
Transformation via discovery is totally possible for fantasy fiction readers. Exploration has the potential to provide readers a thrill of discovery while also exposing them to previously unknown facets of both themselves and the incredible world around them. Reading fantasy books may be a great way to get away from reality even if just for a while and into a world where everything is possible. When readers are exposed to new concepts, cultures, and points of view, it broadens their horizons and encourages them to think outside the box in their own work.
Many fantasy stories center on exploration because it allows the reader to daydream about visiting other lands and experiencing the excitement of adventure and discovery themselves. Exploration may be used as a technique in the construction of new and interesting worlds, the examination of complex ideas and concepts, the growth of complex and multidimensional characters, and the metamorphosis of the characters and the readers. The fantasy genre strongly depends on the act of exploration since it is a formidable instrument for creative expression, self-discovery, and total human growth.
The presence of peril and ambiguity is often found in fantasy tales as a further facet of the activity of exploration. Throughout the route, the characters can come upon hostile animals, perilous terrain, or unforeseen obstacles hiding terrors. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat wondering what the next event in the story will be as a result of this, which adds a feeling of excitement and tension to the narrative. Exploration’s unpredictability may also disclose unexpected twists and turns in the tale, which obviously keeps readers interested and anxious to see how the story will develop.
The conventional concepts of power and authority might be called into question when using exploration as a device in fantasy books. Characters that take up an adversarial stance against the existing order and the status quo are often portrayed as being in the position of the story’s protagonist. They may originate from underrepresented or oppressed groups, and as a result of their investigation, they may unearth previously concealed realities and challenge the predominantly held narrative. This presents writers with a potent opportunity to criticize power systems that exist in the actual world and provide novel points of view on topics related to concerns of justice and equality.