Spiritual Education "The Magicians"

Our sixth week brought us to the theme of spiritual education in novels. The genre of Fantasy is one that is filled with possibilities. Although many fantasy stories concentrate on descriptions of epic battles between mythical creatures and beasts, there are other stories that, not only provide entertainment, but also make it their purpose to educate their audience. Mostly directed at children or teenagers, these novels bring teachings of morality, human relationships, and daily life.

This was especially true in the world renowned series of “Harry Potter” books, and also in this week’s reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman. The novel The Magicians takes a very interesting twist on the genre, because it sets the story in our contemporary modern time. The author takes elements from classic fantasies such as Narnia, The Golden Compass, and the “Harry Potter” series. He relates the story of Quentin a young man who still daydreams of an enchanted far away land called “Fillroy” that was described in his favorite series of books (shades of “Don Quixote”). But also, the world in The Magicians includes magic…kind of obvious looking at the title. It even included a college where students could pursue studies in the magical arts/sciences. Similar to Hogwarts in the “Harry Potter” world, but more like a modern day college campus, rather than an old, ancient castle on a cliff’s edge. Through his time in and after the university, Quentin goes through trials and tribulations similar to what most college students go through nowadays. Girls, drinking, drugs, depression, not caring much for classes, trying to find answers…the epic journey of adolescence. After moving to New York, and partying his magical brains off, Quentin hits rock bottom, but not long before he discovers that “Fillroy” did exist all along. From there on he makes it his mission to defend Fillroy from the evil that looms over it.

Making an entertaining fantasy novel, which also includes educational aspects is a great tool to begin to plant the seeds of moral fiber into young minds across the world. But also, I firmly believe we must be careful with some of these stories that grow into immense popularity, because with the banner of education they also create a front to advertise, and push their products towards children.

The Hobbit

This week we introduced the genre of Fantasy with J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Tolkien’s interest in linguistics, and his time in World War I were great contributors to his works of literature. Also, the clash between his calm rural childhood and the industrialization of the area he lived in gave him great inspiration.

The Hobbit, the precursor to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is the story of an adventure that Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, undertook. Set in “Middle-Earth”, The Hobbit includes creatures and environments made up by Tolkien, but heavily influenced by Norse mythology. Hobbits, a race of small people who enjoyed a simple lifestyle, and weren’t known for going on epic journeys. In the story, a wizard named Gandalf invites Bilbo to go with him on an adventure to take back an ancient treasure that was now in the possession of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo, Gandalf, and a group of dwarves go on this quest which takes them through mountains, forests, and caves. They faced rough landscapes, hunger, bad weather, and attacks by all sorts of creatures like huge spiders. After they were able to kill Smaug, a huge war over the treasure ensues between humans, elves, dwarves, goblins, and wargs. In the end Bilbo goes back to the hobbit lands, and kept on living the chill lifestyle of a hobbit.

Maybe, Tolkien gave the role of hero to a hobbit, because when he was a child and saw the fast pace industrialization of his country, he yearned to go back to relaxing in his country pasture home. The life-style of a hobbit is peaceful, ideal. Middle-Earth isn’t any more savage than our daily world. I think the world we live in now could be considered even more dangerous and evil, for that reason, even though Bilbo isn’t a great warrior he still has mental qualities and morality of an epic hero.