natty dread wrote:BigBallinStalin wrote:Should historical fiction be redrawn to fit the fantasies of an world idealized by a particular group?
In other words, should historic accuracy be sacrificed for certain idealistic goals?
Oh, I'm sorry, I had no idea GoT had anything to do with history. When did it all happen, exactly?
Of course, GoT is not a nonfictional account of history. It's fictional account of history which resembles a medieval world. The story can be misogynistic/whatever in order to provide a semblance of reality which would likely be true
for the setting.
For example, since GoT takes place in a medieval setting, then the women's liberation movement has yet to occur.
Some characters within GoT would seem more realistic if they act misogynistic, etc. (Furthermore, some female characters within GoT don't act irrationally or whatever qualities that are deemed as bad for females. Many males in GoT act irrationally, so the book could also be construed as anti-manly, negatively stereotyping heterosexual males, etc.).
Should historical fiction be redrawn to fit the fantasies of a world idealized by a particular group?
In other words, should historic accuracy be sacrificed for certain idealistic goals of others?
(Maybe you could argue that the medieval setting was something of a feminist utopia? )
I ask these questions because my concern is that some groups attempt to censor literature in order to appease their idealistic worldview, which they tend to apply everywhere--regardless of its blindly surging impact and the loss of quality on other works of art. I'd like to understand where you stand on this issue.
natty dread wrote:I guess the main point of the issue is this: If you're writing a work of fiction, particularly of the fantasy genre, why should you be so concerned about realism?
The social construction of reality in any fantasy book depends on the author's views and maybe on his expectations of his target audience (if he even gives a damn about them). The author defines the realism, and since the setting must sync with the story/characters, then yes, people should be concerned about the book's "realism."
Feminist Utopia applied to GoT would detract from the book and its realism, which is about power plays and the vagueness of good v. evil.
Why should the book explicitly promote Feminist Interventionism by providing an ideal world where all women do not hold subservient positions or whatever that groups demands (which varies and can be inconsistent)?
natty dread wrote:I mean, it just seems really weird that you have a story where it's perfectly fine to have flying wizards and dragons or whatever, no one cares. But take away the misogyny, racism and homophobia? UNREALISTIC!!!!
Yeah, his fantasy world isn't a feminist utopia, which isn't the point of the book. Are you demanding authors should
only write books which advocate for egalitarianism, feminism, or whatever else conforms with only one's ideals ?
(You seem to remind me of Plato's Philosopher King and his right to censor certain literature which he deems to be against the Good.)
