Escape Quote by Ross Douthat
“As a generalization, fantasy writing has leaned more on political storytelling the more it's tried to escape the inevitable influence of Middle-earth, and revise the Eurocentric and Christian tropes that Tolkien's particular worldview bequeathed.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, “The Future of Fantasy” by Ross Douthat, 2023
Fantasy often mirrors politics; as it seeks new worlds, it inherits and revises Tolkien’s Euro‑Christian lens.
In simple terms: Fantasy reflects politics and reworks old myths.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge inherited biases.
Themes
politics
literature
culture
mythology
diversity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- publishing decisions
- educational curricula
- media criticism
Key Concepts
postcolonial theory
world‑building
intertextuality
narrative ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your favorite stories reinforce or question real‑world power?
- Can new mythologies be truly free of past influences?
A Different Perspective
The genre may still default to familiar power structures despite intent.
