The following article explores the similarities between Polish Indian novels (written mostly in the second half of the 20th century) and modern fantasy fiction in an effort to argue that the former should not be examined–and then criticized–only in terms of their idealized representations of Native American tribes and life in the wilderness. To demonstrate the parallel between these Indian novels and fantasy fiction, this article will first analyze how the works of Polish writers and fantasy narratives are motivated by similar desires. It will then examine the Indian novels in the context of John H. Timmerman’s study on the six generic traits of fantasy. This perspective will allow us to circumvent the question of authenticity in representation, and instead acknowledge the significance of the Indian novels for the readers and writers of the People’s Republic of Poland.
Artykuł recenzyjny książki: K. M. Maj, Allotopie. Topografia światów fikcjonalnych, Kraków 2015.
EN
The article is ispired by the pioneering book Allotopie by Krzysztof M. Maj, which describes the feeling of immersion in fictional world evoked by fantasy fiction. Maj chooses the immersion strategy of reception over the predominant mimetic interpretation, which he sees as incomplete in that it omits the fundamental for allotopy act of world creation. Immersion reflects the idiosyncrasy of creation and genre reception. Moreover, Maj’s book does not fail to address the traditional questions about the value of fantasy fiction.
The aim of the following paper is to examine the conflict between the cult of the Mother Goddess and Christianity, which affects King Arthur’s reign in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s original retelling of Arthurian legends – The Mists of Avalon (1983). The religious conflict presented in the novel is inextricably linked with representations of femininity and the figures of Morgaine (Morgan le Fay) and Queen Gwenhwyfar, who are dedicated, respectively, to Avalon and the Church. By investigating both women’s beliefs, actions, and relationship with Arthur, this paper will demonstrate how in Bradley’s retelling the transition from the worship of the Goddess to Christianity conditions King Arthur’s reign and ultimately contributes to his downfall.
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