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Truth, Goodness, and Fantasy Literature | Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P.

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Jan 1, 2025

Guest

Philip-Neri Reese, OP

Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P., a Dominican Friar and philosophy professor, delves into the evolution of fantasy literature, highlighting its darker grimdark subgenre. He compares Tolkien's noble narratives with George R.R. Martin's morally complex storytelling. The discussion explores Thomistic thought, examining truth and goodness within these works. Fr. Reese also articulates the doctrine of transcendentals, shedding light on their unity and significance in literature. Ultimately, he critiques the orientation of grimdark fantasy in relation to higher spiritual truths.

54:46

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INSIGHT

Fantasy Subgenres

Fantasy literature has diversified into numerous subgenres beyond Tolkien and Lewis.
These include magical realism, dark fantasy, fairy tale fantasy, and many more.

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INSIGHT

Fantasy Categorizations

Fantasy subgenres can be categorized by magic level (high vs. low), setting (other-world, portal, urban), or characters (coming-of-age, anti-heroic).
These categories often overlap, creating diverse combinations like high anti-heroic portal fantasy.

insights

INSIGHT

Grimdark Fantasy

Grimdark fantasy, a troubling subgenre, emphasizes dark worlds, broken characters, and hopelessness.
Popular examples include works by Glenn Cook, George R.R. Martin, and Joe Abercrombie.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Exploring the Grimdark Fantasy Subgenre

07:43 • 6min

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Philosophical Inquiry into Grimdark vs. Classic Fantasy

13:45 • 3min

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Exploring the Doctrine of Transcendentals: Being, Truth, and Goodness

16:45 • 5min

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Exploring Truth and Goodness in Aquinas and Fantasy Literature

22:11 • 33min

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#6300

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Narnia

based on The lion, the witch and the wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis

The series includes seven novels that span the entire history of Narnia, from its creation in 'The Magician’s Nephew' to its eventual destruction in 'The Last Battle'. The stories follow various children who are transported to Narnia, where they often assist the lion Aslan in battles against evil forces. The series is known for its allegorical themes, particularly Christian allegory, and its richly imagined world of magic, mythical beasts, and talking animals.

The chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Chronicles of Prydain

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Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Alexander's 'The Chronicles of Prydain' is a five-book fantasy series for young adults. The story follows Taran, a pig-keeper who becomes embroiled in a quest to save Prydain from the evil Arawn Death-Lord. The series features a blend of Celtic mythology and classic fantasy tropes, exploring themes of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. The books are known for their witty dialogue, memorable characters, and richly imagined world. They have earned critical acclaim and remain popular with young readers.

#2976

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

The Razor's Edge

W. Somerset Maugham

Published in 1944, 'The Razor's Edge' by W. Somerset Maugham is a novel that delves into the search for the meaning of life and the dichotomy between materialism and spirituality. The story centers around Larry Darrell, a former World War I aviator who returns to Chicago a changed man. Larry rejects conventional life and sets out on a spiritual journey, influenced by his harrowing war experiences and the death of a friend who saved his life. The novel is narrated by Maugham himself, who interacts with and observes the characters over a twenty-year period. The story explores themes of war, death, life, marriage, and profession, and contrasts Larry's spiritual pursuits with the more materialistic lives of characters like Isabel and her uncle Elliott Templeton. The novel is set in various locations including Chicago, Paris, and India, and it was one of the first Western novels to propose non-Western solutions to societal issues.

#7847

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Like Water for Chocolate

Laura Esquivel

The novel follows Tita de la Garza, the youngest daughter of the de la Garza family, who is forbidden to marry her beloved Pedro due to a family tradition. Pedro marries Tita's sister Rosaura instead, but his love for Tita remains strong. The story is told through twelve chapters, each representing a month of the year and including a Mexican recipe that correlates with the events in Tita's life. The novel explores themes of love, longing, and the power of food, set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Esquivel employs magical realism to combine the supernatural with the ordinary, creating a bittersweet tale of love and loss.

#7291

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Blade Itself

Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself is the first book in the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. It follows multiple characters, primarily Logen Ninefingers, a northern barbarian trying to leave his dark past behind; Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a nobleman and skilled swordsman; and Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled former warrior turned torturer. The story is set in a world where war is looming, and the characters are embroiled in murderous conspiracies, old scores, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. The book is known for its dark humor, vivid battle scenes, and complex character development, setting the stage for the rest of the trilogy.

#3777

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Susanna Clarke

The novel is set in a world where magic once thrived in England but has since disappeared. It follows the lives of two magicians, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, who bring magic back to England. Jonathan Strange is a young, adventurous, and impulsive magician, while Mr. Norrell is a cantankerous bookworm who wants magic to be better regulated. Their differing approaches to magic lead to a series of conflicts and adventures, including involvement in the Napoleonic wars and interactions with fairies. The story explores themes of magic, history, and the complexities of human relationships.

#14

• Mentioned in 254 episodes

The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.

#1181

• Mentioned in 19 episodes

Game of Thrones

HBO

This book provides an in-depth look at the making of the first two seasons of HBO's Game of Thrones. It includes interviews with key creative forces behind the show, profiles of major characters, family trees, and detailed descriptions of pivotal scenes such as the storming of King's Landing. The book helps viewers understand the complex storylines and character relationships, making it a valuable resource for fans of the series.

This lecture was Fr. Philip Neri Reese explores truth and goodness in fantasy literature through a Thomistic lens, paying special attention to the difference between classical fantasy and the "grimdark" subgenre (epitomized by Game of Thrones).

This lecture was given on November 2nd, 2024, at Thomistic Institute in Limerick.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events.

About the Speaker:

Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P. is a Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Joseph and a professor of philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (the Angelicum), where he also serves as the assistant director of the Angelicum Thomistic Institute. Though his scholarly research mainly focuses on metaphysics (especially the scholastic metaphysics of St. Thomas and his later interpreters), he has also published on ethics, economics, Christology, and philosophical anthropology.

Keywords: Fantasy Literature, Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin, Glenn Cook, Goodness, Grimdark, J.R.R. Tolkien, Literature Subgenres, Thomistic Philosophy, Truth

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