Comments on: Simplicity, Drama, and Domination: On Monarchy in Secondary-World Fiction

By: John H. Stevens

John H. Stevens — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Leanne:

I think there is a fascinating potential for further analysis here, which I have started sketching out but which needs to be put aside until I finish the current book on reading and fantastika .

Thanks for pointing out Smith’s series; I will add that to the list of books to read!

By: Leanne

Leanne — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:53:47 +0000

I do hope you share this and your continuing analyses of this topic – I’m finding it fascinating. I’m wondering if there’s a meta-analysis to conduct here by analyzing the monarchies on the basis of assorted characteristics: source of power, vertical power relations, power transition mechanism… What kinds of plot elements emerge from, for example, systems where kings – or baronial assemblies – choose the next king rather than relying on primogeniture or some other principle? What happens when the author creates multiple layers of governance, say, a king with dukes who have earls/barons? In other words, treating feudo-federalism as a plot element… Or monarch-centered as opposed to monarch-contextualized plots….

I am reading a series right now with a rather unusual monarchy and social structure. It’s Sherwood Smith’s series that begins with _Inda_ (an author I discovered through his post on last week’s mind meld). Some lovely bits of class, race/ethnicity, and gender issues in it as well. The monarch is a phenomenally underdeveloped character, and I hope we see more of him in later books.

By: John H. Stevens

John H. Stevens — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:13:03 +0000

The ways that monarchy is used in secondary-world fantasy underuses a lot of elements that could make stories more exciting and evocative.

By: John H. Stevens

John H. Stevens — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:10:26 +0000

I can do that. I am sifting through a lot of references and once I get a better idea of the lay of the bibliographic land I’ll put something up.

Yeah, I think 4th Street sounds like something I need to check out.

By: Paul (@princejvstin)

Paul (@princejvstin) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:54:42 +0000

That engagement relies on a third element: domination. The usual fantasy monarchy not only has clearly-defined roles, but relatively straightforward power relations.

One thing we discussed at the Con, but not in the Mind Meld is that the politics and power dynamics of Monarchial courts are complex, interesting–and UNDERUSED in Fantasy.

By: Paul (@princejvstin)

Paul (@princejvstin) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:53:35 +0000

I would love it, John, if you eventually share the Bibliography

And this is just more evidence that you, and like minded folks, need to come to 4th Street Fantasy. I give the con full credit for sparking the Mind Meld!