Tax argues that Earthsea is still relevant today for several reasons. First, he points out that the men in Earthsea rule the world and define social conventions. Despite the great strides made in women's liberation over the past 200 years, it's true that men still rule the world and define social conventions. Point in fact, it's still legally and socially "unacceptable" for women to take their shirts off in 99% of the places men do.
Tax quotes Le Guin's own explantion of why her work is relevant today. Le Guin said that the world is changing too fast to keep up with. In these days of uncertainty people are (ironically) using the stable archetypes in fantasy fiction as an anchor to provide a sense of continuity in their lives.
Tax ends his analysis by pointing out that Le Guin's nonconformity actually makes it more relevant. Fiction has always been used to explore and evolve ideas. If her work did not do that then it would be automatically obsolete. The fact that it pushes convention gives it relevance.
Tax, M. (Jan 28, 2002). Year of
Harry Potter, Enter the Dragon.
In The Nation.
Le Guinn, U. (200?) Plausibility in Fantasy. Retrieved 25, June 2005, http://www.ursulakleguin.com/plausibilityinfantasy.html
I like how you did the clear reasons.. Your explanation was good also.I feel maybe you could have wriiten a little more in description in your own words, but it was good and easy to read. I like you included 'Le Guin' and gher own quote on her work. Do you agree though? that Earthsea is still relevant?
ReplyDeleteI cant say that I would use the 'females can't take off their shirts in public' as my example but it definitely made me laugh and struck a bit of truth! I agree with LeGuin that the world is moving to fast to keep up with but I think I would have liked to hear more of our own personal opinions about the matter at hand - apart from your stand out example.
ReplyDeleteYou have some good points here. I wonder if you think Earthsea is relevant today as well? And for sure, no doubt about it LeGuin is right that we are a part of a world that is constantly moving.
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