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A Believable Fantasy: 10 Points to Consider Point #8: Religion in Fantasy
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I was once told that there are two topics to avoid in conversation no matter what the cost: religion and politics. Strong opinions are wielded in these categories, and many are quick to offend as well as quick to take offense. But seeing as religion and politics play such a integral an powerful role in our society, all the more the reason why to include them in your fantasy novel.
Now speaking in terms of religion, fantasy fiction has received much criticism over topics like witchcraft and wizardry. This writer is going to follow what she mentioned in the first paragraph and avoid delving into that controversy. What I would like to point out is that including religion in a fantasy novel can serve as different vehicles to support the story.
Religion in characters
A tragic loss of faith. An atheist who wants to believe. A devout follower whose quest is driven by his/her convictions. Religion adds depth to a character. It can motivate, inspire, anger, and incite all kinds of emotion. It can also be the guide by which a character lives his life, influencing choices based on past, present, and future. Do your characters differ in religious beliefs? Does this cause conflict? How does a character’s religion influence customs and culture? In who or what does he believe? Does he acknowledge an afterlife (because that would certainly influence how he lives his life!)?
Religion in plot
Persecution. War. Sacrifice. We take a step back from our individual characters and ask how religion affects your fantasy world. As mentioned before, conflict amongst various cultures over religion is almost a given. Is there a sacred item coveted by both believers and non-believers? Is there divine intervention (Ancient Greek deities often played roles in the lives of mortal men)? Do a little research, and you’ll see that stories in myth, legend, and modern religion can be quite complex but also quite fascinating.
Religion in theme
The biggest picture of all is theme. What are you trying to convey? What is your message? Whether religion in your world is minor and independent of the novel’s theme or whether the novel is centered around a religious theme, you can’t deny the power of morality. In the end, the morality behind religion presents some of the most powerful themes. For example, is it ever right to take someone’s life? Many fantasy heroes are wrought from sword-slinging and bloodshed. Does this present a moral problem in correspondence with what the hero believes? As a writer, you can choose to imbed your own beliefs and morals within the theme, or you can simply strive to get a reader to consider a different point of view. Ultimately any reader will walk away with his/her own interpretation of your theme, but the challenge for you is to make sure your theme is identifiable to your audience; otherwise, your message has been lost.
Other aspects to consider with religion… Monotheistic or polytheistic? Myth vs. folklore vs. legend. Are there traditions, festivals, and special customs associated with religion? What about an afterlife? Are there stories/beliefs about your world’s creation? How is religion viewed in light of medicine and health? Does religion mesh or clash with politics in your world? Are there rites of passage for believers? What restrictions might religion place upon a believer? Is there a religious hierarchy? The list goes on and on, but the more thought you place into religion, the more you can harness a powerful tool to make your fantasy believable.
-Stefanie
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