Advantages of Magic Systems in Literature
Fantasy fiction is a varied genre with a long history in literature. Throughout the ages people have told stories that feature epic, often impossible, circumstances and many of those tales made their way into writing. Many such stories contain magic and it is the calculated approach that modern authors take when employing magic in their works that this study shall examine. There are many reasons an author might include magic in their work. However, what is of real interest to this thesis is not the presence of magic in a work of fantasy, but rather the type of magic that is present and what it might offer the author employing it. Specifically, this study shall focus on two main areas of discussion, ‘plot’ and ‘worldbuilding’, and how they intersect with the two broadly identifiable kinds of Magic System – ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ Magic. This shall be accomplished by comparing the systems within three primary fantasy series, Harry Potter, Mistborn and The Poppy War. In so doing, the differences between the magics will become clear and the utility of each become illuminated. In conjunction with my critical paper, my own fantasy novel, The Augur, has evolved and developed. Piecing together arguments for the study and delving into the intricacies of three very different Magic Systems served as a wellspring of inspiration for the System in my own story. The close link between the study and the creative piece submitted here is explored in the self-reflective chapter below.
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