Ableism, Magical Healing and Victimizing/Villainizing. Oh My!

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People with disabilities are often portrayed as “victims” or “villains”, and fantasy is no different. The genre commonly uses an offensive trope known as magical healing which misleads fans into thinking that disfiguration or disabilities should be fixed. Think The Witcher, The Shape of Water, or even Disney’s Peter Pan! These are just a few examples that have harmed the disabled community, including myself. And for what? Times are certainly changing and still, society hasn’t made room for people with disabilities, even if they think they have.

What is Magical Healing?

Magical Healing is an approach most notable in Fantasy that is a solution to heal through natural or magical elements that cannot be scientifically explained. Through the many forms of media, it is still a prevalent trope that only in recent years society has seen as it truly is: ableist. The most recent form of this trope is The Witcher when one of the protagonists, Yennefer, trades her disability (or should I say the ability to differ from society) and her ability to have children so she can become a beautiful and powerful woman. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for an underdog to be on top, but I wished they didn’t rely on the tiresome approach that normality trumps people who are different.

“You're born helpless so you find strength”

Netflix's The Witcher, 2x04

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In this side-by-side picture is Yennefer played by actress Anya Chalotra in Netflix’s The Witcher (left) before and (right) after her transition. It’s bad enough that this happened but to have people comment on how revolutionary the scene was, is all the more reason why some of the disabled community feels mistreated.

Why This is Harmful

Choosing to include a disabled character in your story and then making what makes them stand out disappear or “fixed” is a negative message that says those who are among the disabled community will only be accepted into society if they change. Even making characters with disabilities the victim or villain isn’t any better because it allows society to think that just because you’re different or have some sort of abnormality, it’s okay to judge or treat them as if they’re the problem.

IMAGE BY DISNEY

Take J.M Barrie’s classic Peter Pan as a prime example. Captain Hook is portrayed as an evil man whose sole purpose is to fight with the protagonist Peter in Neverland for all eternity. Yet, most people get the message wrong, Captain James Hook is the hero, and Peter is the true antagonist. At least ABC’s series Once Upon A Time got that meaning right.

Still, it’d be nice to see good representations in Fantasy, instead of bad ones. It’s not just Barrie’s work or The Witcher that is ableist. Tim Burton’s beloved film Edward Scissorhands is seen as revolutionary to some who associate themselves with a disability, but to others, they find it ableist as the townsfolk tried to change who Edward was, though there was nothing to change about him. Even the beloved comics—turned-film-franchise X-Men is also a grey area. Sure, they’re different and Professor X is one of the most beloved characters with a disability out there, yet some may argue that it’s ableist as mutants are seen as “freaks,” or written with bad representation. I understand people’s perception of these two examples, but the fact that they gave people like me a voice and made them powerful without all of them changing is what made them so special in the first place. Given these reasons, I disagree that X-Men and Edward Scissorhands are ableist. In fact, I think they’re one of the best representations of disabilities in fantasy yet.

The following video below is a scene from X2 which allows viewers to understand the metaphor between mutants and disabilities.

Image by JDMORGANZ

Source Youtube

I do have to note that with my disability, I try to give society the benefit of the doubt, but it becomes more challenging with these negative approaches in the media. Reforming people with disabilities isn’t woke; it is harmful in so many ways. I just don’t understand why society still thinks it’s acceptable to use these tropes, even though it has been voiced as offensive. This is all the more reason why magical healing and victimizing or villainizing the disabled community needs to stop. This goes for all media, not just films or tv series. 

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KYLIE MILNE— Hi, my name is Kylie, I’m a twenty-one- year-old Professional Writing student with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy, and a caffeine addiction, so I decided to write a series about it.  I love analyzing films, television shows, and literature, but when I’m not passionately dreaming of the next creative idea in my head, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

The Allure of Angels of Darkness (A.K.A Fallen Angels and Nephilims)

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Angels are mythical creatures that are often perceived as “messengers of God” or guides who serve the Lord at his every command. In the Fantasy genre, angels are one of the most popular creatures in the entertainment industry, but the question is why are people so compelled to angels of darkness? Is the answer as simple as they’re as close to immortality as we can get, or is it that the nephilim and fallen angels are like most of us— outcasts who have lost what made them “special” and therefore more human than mythical? The possibilities may be endless!

Fallen angels V.S nephilims

Before I discuss why people are compelled by these dark beings, I should mention that there is a major difference between fallen angels and nephilims. A notable distinction between the two is that nephilim’s are half angel, half human because fallen angels have reproduced with humans, while fallen angels are full angels who have sinned and are punished by exile and having their wings severed.

Are angels of darkness that compelling?

Consider best-selling author Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments as an example of why darkness sells­­ (for angels that is because I can go into thorough details about the power of darkness itself.) I remember a time when I stepped into a bookstore that people became berserkers over the novels, and it was because there was a twist to the obvious cliché. Instead of good, bright angels with halos over their heads, they were depicted as dark and dangerous creatures who were anything but “picture perfect” in God’s eyes. This approach to fiction isn't unique only to Clare's work– best-selling series such as Hush Hush, The Fallen, or Fallen have captured many hearts and fans through this approach. Film studios have recognized the allure of darkness when it comes to angels, thanks to the collaboration of book adaptations to the big screen.

Rooting for the underdog/outcast

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Popularity is just one factor as to why fallen angels or nephilim's sell in the entertainment industry. And the reason behind it is quite touching— like most of us, these types of angels don’t feel like they belong or are depicted as “evil” when they are simply misunderstood. For instance, the CW network created the TV show Lucifer centred around Lucifer Morningstar– the devil and fallen angel. However, instead of him being the walking cliché of the King of Hell and an antagonist, he was portrayed as an anti-hero who sought out greatness, even if the human world unknowingly tried to damn his name.

The following video below is a clip that allows viewers to capture how an outcast, specifically a fallen angel, can compel people and draw them into the world of fantasy.

Image by WeHeartIt

Source: Youtube

It’s not just Lucifer— many other wingless angels or nephilim’s sometimes outshine the protagonist by how the audience responds to the character and if they can relate to them. Think of Sebastian Verlac, Aaron Corbett or Siryen– all of them were tormented by their differences in society but became a walking— or should I say a flying symbol of the outcast/underdog trope. 

Without a doubt, writers and casting directors understand that romance and connecting to the audience is the key to engaging storytelling. When it comes to dark angels, you can pretty much do anything you want since most of them are "evil and devilish". Angels are an exception, as I assume that when people hear the word, they immediately think of perfection, but in reality, this is quite the opposite in fantasy. In fact, the entertainment industry portrays these complex supernatural beings as erotic, confident, powerful, and often with core morals hidden behind layers that only those who are worthy can see, thus making fallen angels and their spawn more alluring than their light counterparts.

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KYLIE MILNE— Hi, my name is Kylie, I’m a twenty-one-year-old Professional Writing student with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy and a caffeine addiction, so I decided to write a series about it.  I love analyzing films, television shows, and literature. When I’m not passionately dreaming of the next creative idea in my head, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

Discrimination in Fantasy Media: Need It Exist?

Fantasy is often a reflection of our current society—except better, because it involves magic or dragons. However, part of our society includes ugly traits like prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. 

Unfortunately, fantasy media loves to include this unpleasant part of the Real World.

Conflict is the heart of storytelling. One way to easily stir up conflict is by including certain prejudices. But is it possible to create a society that isn’t based on the oppression/privilege power structure without removing conflict entirely? 

As a writer, fantasy lover, and someone involved with social activism, it’s a difficult question to answer. 

Sure, there’s plenty of fantasy media that steers away from integrating this societal discrimination, or even stories that do a sort of role-reversal—where marginalized groups are the privileged ones. While privileged vs. marginalized is not a black-and-white issue, the structure of many fictional fantasy societies closely follows the modern beliefs, assumptions, and prejudices of the Real World.

Including certain discrimination in fantasy can be an interesting (and necessary) plot device. It can also be a way for a creator to explore their own experiences and biases. If all fantasy media excluded depictions of oppression, it would be severely limiting. It also eliminates the chance to explore those topics and subvert the norms of the Real World. The last thing to remember is that fantasy is ultimately fictional. The discrimination and other unsavoury aspects—while maybe based on the Real World—are not real.

So, how do you properly include discrimination in fantasy media?

1. Think it over!

Whenever you’re creating media, remember these two words: think critically!

Does it need to be there? Does it add to the plot? Does it serve its purpose of upholding the message or theme? Does it make the audience think and reflect? Is it something you only threw in because it was familiar and/or goes along with other fantasy tropes? 

2. Consider alternatives!

The main alternative to including oppression in fantasy media is not including it and seeing what happens. However, maybe the main character facing discrimination is an important plot point that can’t be deleted.

Another alternative would be subverting the norms of our world. What if society was run entirely by women? What if being gay was the norm and being straight was seen as wrong? The world is your sandbox; play around in it and see what happens.

3. Do your research!

So you’ve decided to include harmful language, acts of violence, and/or state-sanctioned oppression—now it’s time to make sure you know what you’re doing. 

Instead of making assumptions and hoping for the best, do some research to ensure that the oppression in your story is not only believable, but also respectful to the people in the Real World who face such experiences. 

Reading people’s stories, getting in contact with people who know what it’s like to face discrimination, understanding why our society holds on to certain prejudices—all that knowledge will add to your story. It’s an important step that can’t be skipped. 

4. Hire a sensitivity reader!

Now that your scenes are out of your head and on paper, the computer, or whatever medium you use to create fantasy stories, it’s time to review! 

A sensitivity reader is a type of proofreader—they’ll let you know if you included content that is not appropriate or accurate to certain marginalized experiences. Remember, they’re not there to tell you you’re a bad person or to get rid of conflict—they are there to say “Hey, your sympathetic good-guy character repeatedly uses a slur, which is not very sympathetic good-guy behaviour.” It’s a learning opportunity that will help your book shine with its carefully thought-out portrayals of difficult subjects. 

As fiction reflects reality, fantasy reflects the real world. The inclusion of oppression, prejudice, and discrimination in fictional societies can either be used to uphold real-world biases, or to explore them in a safe setting. 

Ultimately, whether you decide to include discrimination in fantasy media is up to you. As long as you create the portrayals with the same amount of thought and effort as any other aspect of your story, it can be an effective and compelling part of the narrative.

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Visiting my best friend: Muddy the Mudcat in Dunnville, ON.

ALEX GAVA — I’m Alex, a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. Besides being a professional writer, I’m also a professional catastrophe.

You can usually find me hunched over my laptop, typing furiously across the keyboard in either a stroke of genius or madness. Sometimes both.

When I’m not writing, I’m usually taking care of my lovely pets, reading, watching the same TV shows and movies that I’ve been watching since grade school, or taking naps.

Thank you for visiting the Otherworld’s Corner. 🦄

Fantasy Technology: OSHA Violations Unknown to God

            When we think of fantasy, the first thing many people think of is the swords and shields of old: Massive castles, dragons stronger than entire countries, all the glories of the medieval era. It’s all very rustic and old-fashioned, to communicate that this world is unlike our own. The most modern piece of technology you can find is the printing press, and in some cases, smoothbore flintlock weapons.

 But what if you wanted to give your medieval peasants a magical microwave?

         Now of course that may sound ridiculous and unrealistic, but in fantasy it doesn’t have to be realistic. It just has to be consistent with its own rules and explained in such a way that it feels natural for the world. Now, you may think this is mainly limited to modern day technological equivalents, such as a magical fridge or car. However, the idea of OSHA compliance hadn’t been invented in the Middle Ages, so authors can basically make whatever magical machines that they can think of.

An example of a Soft Magic Automaton. Art by James J. Krause

            “Why would they do this?” you may ask. Well, the reason varies depending on the creator. Some want a specific technology to be replicated because it's the crux of their story, and makes for a good storytelling angle. Others may want their setting to feel more “modern”, while still being recognizably fantasy. And then some do it because they think it would be cool, and that’s a perfectly valid reason to me. Of course, there's many other reasons, almost too many to really list.

The way magical technology is depicted relates heavily to the magic system present in the work, especially depending on if the system based on Hard or Soft Magic. For those that don’t know what that is, I can summarize them. A Hard Magic system is a system of magic with clearly defined rules and logic, feeling more like a branch of science than anything. Soft Magic meanwhile is wild and chaotic, with very little core rules and structure which allows for a lot of random elements. While a Hard magic system would create something similar to modern electronics, Soft magic systems are where things can get wild.

Example of a Hard Magic Automaton. Art by Grady P. Brown

            But it’s not really enough to just tell you that, so let's get an example for you.  A common technological element in fantasy writing is an Automaton, which is an artificial mechanical being similar to a robot. Hard magic might make them a commodity built by mortals, which require manufactured oil, refined power source, and are overall reminiscent of modern day robotics. They may be more “boring” in design, but they operate under the strict internal logic of their magic systems, and are treated in a way that makes sense. Soft Magic machines might all be built for a common purpose, but with little internal logic to rely on they all will look and operate wildly different from the others. This allows for more freedom for creators, as the less oppressive rules of their system allows for their imagination to flourish, at the potential cost of the suspension of disbelief should they do it poorly.

When it comes to the wielders and creators of this magical technology, writers usually put it into the hands of Dwarves, Gnomes, Kobolds, and Hobgoblins. This is probably due to tropes related to how these three fictional races are seen, born from media such as Dungeons and Dragons and the works of J.R.R Tolkien. Dwarves usually make very logical and refined creations. Gnomes and Kobolds both make odd contraptions, however Gnomes make theirs with whimsy and curiosity, while Kobolds mainly try to stab more things. Hobgoblins are usually the masters of war, making grand war-machines for their campaigns.

Of course, there isn’t really a “right” or “wrong” way to do technology in fantasy, it's all subjective and one way is not strictly better or worse than the other. It all boils down to personal preference, and what kind of story the author wants to make.

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NOAH BRENTON - Clown by day, writer by night. I have no goddamn idea what it is I’m doing, but I’ve gotten this far so it must be at least partially right.

I love writing. It’s my hope that one day I’ll actually see a project to fruition instead of it sitting in purgatory with all the others.

You can sometimes see me on campus, but I’d really rather you didn’t. Your cooperation is appreciated.

The Vampire Diaries: Books or Adaptation? Hint; why the Show was Fangtastic!

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The story is as old as time – girl meets vampire(s), girl falls in love with vampire(s) and then problems arise with their enemies, sometimes of the same species. When people think of vampires they may think of hot, brooding, mysterious night-time predators and their love for blood and a human. And the CW’s 2009 hit tv series The Vampire Diaries based on the books written by L.J Smith is no exception to this niche that is demanded by society— specifically preteens and young women.

I must admit I am one of the many millions of people who are fascinated by deathly terrifying vampires, but melt when they show a softer side by falling in love.

Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, or even HBO’s True Blood. Here the main protagonist is a young, impressionable girl who strives for an ounce of normality, but quickly reconsiders it when an encounter with death changes her— literally! You’d think that by now this erotic thrill would end, but even after five years since its run, fans of the show have remained as fanatical and loyal as they were since the very start. Some fans even linger onto the idea of a reboot. I haven’t seen this much devotion to a fandom since Twilight, when it seemed like vampires were everywhere!

The Vampire Diaries Novels

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In 1991 and 1992, best-selling author L.J. Smith published the first four books of The Vampire Diaries, and in 2009, Smith jumped back into the world revolving around Elena, Stefan, Damon, Bonnie, and Meredith. Several months later after the publication of the two additions to the series, the CW released the pilot of The Vampire Diaries created by award-winning screenwriter Kevin Williamson, and tv producer Julie Plec, beginning another vampire craze.

Though the story is the same, the CW’s adaptation and Smith’s fiction differ in various ways— from the setting, to the characters, to the plotlines of the story.

Setting

"Mystic Falls. I was born here, this is my home." 

"And mine." 

"And mine." 

CW’s The Vampire Diaries 4x01

CREDITS: TUMBLR

In the novels, the story takes place in Virginia in a quiet small town called “Fell’s Church” with no mention of what year the story takes place. However, in the show, the town is known as “Mystic Falls” and is set in the year 2009. As the series progressed, the years passed by too. When the eighth and final season aired, it ended with a time jump far from the year 2017.

Characters & Plot Themes

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The Vampire Diaries follows Damon and Stefan Salvatore, Elena Gilbert, and her friends Bonnie and Meredith. Joining them are secondary characters like Caroline, Matt, Tyler, Alaric, Katherine, and Klaus. Although both media had the same characters, the show expanded on them and made noticeable changes that only fans of the books would notice. One of the main changes from the pages to the screen was the characters' backgrounds and personalities.

In the novels, Smith’s characters were all Caucasian and were two-dimensional with little, or no personality. They were also downright awful, not to mention unlikeable. In the show, all of the main characters, even the villains, have layers and depth. Surprisingly, the TV version of Klaus had my sympathy, while in the books, it was just the opposite. I found him bland and unmemorable, but Williamson and Plec created a character that instantly became a fan favourite on the show. I'm biased as he was played by the talented Joseph Morgan who won a People’s Choice Award for his portrayal of the villian/anti-hero on the spin-off The Originals. 

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Even with these drastic changes like the disappearance of Meredith or revamped characters like Margaret and Aunt Judith who then became Jeremy and Jenna, it didn’t bother me because there was more diversity on screen. In fact, the series branched out and covered crucial topics like sexual orientation, addiction, loss, abuse, and mental illness. As a result of times and society constantly changing, there was room for the story to endeavour into a world outside of the supernatural.

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In the end, the story was so much more than a love triangle between a girl and two vampire brothers. Instead, its message was to live life to the fullest, whether you’re immortal or not. For that, my love for The Vampire Diaries will remain for eternity.

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KYLIE MILNE— Hi, my name is Kylie, I’m a twenty-one-year-old Professional Writing student with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy and a caffeine addiction, so I decided to write a series about it. I love analyzing films, television shows, and literature. When I’m not passionately dreaming of the next creative idea in my head, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.