ENG239H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Hobbit, Defamiliarization, Riddle
Document Summary
Tas will look at introductory paragraphs by email for essay. Quest = model of forming the self (e. g. , bilbo"s character arc) Suggests that fantasy allows us to understand reality & cope w/ existence: we"re not meant to feel safe or comfortable while reading fantasy. Fantasy deals w/ the construction of the self (changing the self = threatening) E. g. , think of the boy in harrow"s story. To fashion his identity = to overcome con ning factors (e. g. , foster child, race, socioeconomic status) Achieving of escape via reading fantasy goes against the norms (subversive) He takes agency over his identity (rejects what others say is best for him: moves from a familiar place to an unfamiliar place (of possibility, free to de ne his own identity) Bilbo moves from familiar to unfamiliar: we see that bilbo"s sense of self is constantly being challenged along the way by threats, menaces & dangers.
