Chapter 7 – Modern Fantasy

1. When writing modern fantasy, authors a. Alter one or more characteristics of known reality. b. Write about the contemporary world as they know it. c. Usually place their characters in the future. d. Develop themes that are very different from other types of literature.

2. Persuading readers to suspend disbelief is most successful in modern fantasy when a. The characters are fully drawn. b. The plot is tightly sequential and fast-paced. c. There is an internal consistency in the story. d. The setting reflects the known world. a. The writer creates a world in which unusual circumstances are believable. b. The writer combines reality and fantasy as characters or stories go back and forth between two worlds. c. They must be developed so completely that readers will believe anything is possible. d. All of the above. a. Universal struggles and the ba ttle between good and evil b. Personal and social responsibility, love, and friendship c. Faith and perseverance in the face of obstacles d. The value of facts and information a. Myths are only about Greek and Roman gods. b. People at one time believed that myths had a basis in fact. c. Myths deal only with supernatural events. d. Myths are more believable than modern fantasy.

3. What is a requirement of settings in modern fantasy?

4. Which of the following is not usually a theme of modern fantasy?

5. What is a major difference between myths and modern fantasy?

6. The first author of literary fairy tales for children is usually considered to be a. The Brothers Grimm b. Mary Godwin Shelley c. Hans Christian Andersen d. J.R.R. Tolkien a. Religious themes are universal. b. Many folktales originated in periods when religion was an important part of life. c. Religious themes are very popular. d. All of the above.

7. According to Bruno Bettelheim, why do many folktales have religious themes?

8. C. S. Lewis created The Chronicles of Narnia based on a. His interest in theology. b. His knowledge about medieval allegory. c. His knowledge about Norse mythology. d. All of the above a. J.R.R. Tolkien b. Jane Yolen c. C.S. Lewis d. Beatrix Potter

9. Which of the following authors is best known for religious allegories?

10. Most modern fantasies about mythical quests and conflicts emphasize a. Adventure. b. The need for a realistic portrayal of modern life. c. The importance of gaining self-knowledge. d. The power of love. a. E.B. White b. Margery Williams c. J.R.R. Tolkien d. A.A. Milne

11. The writings of which author have been said to “form a continuation of the mythic tradition into modern literature”?

12. Many of the fantasies written by Lloyd Alexander have foundations in a. Welsh legends b. German legends c. Arthurian legends d. Norse legends a. It is well written. b. It has animal characters who are distinct individuals. c. It deals convincingly with the universal themes of the importance of friendship and loyalty. d. It is written from the point of view of its articulate animal characters. a. Children already believe they are real or almost real. b. Both children and adults think they are cute. c. They can be easily characterized as innocent. d. Toys inherently have a personality. a. Little people b. Articulate animals c. Preposterous characters d. Strange and curious worlds a. They are usually magical. b. Because they are small, children identify with them. c. They are not threatening to children. d. They are like characters in traditional literature. a. The problems are solved by the characters, not by supernatural powers. b. They encourage children to think what might have happened in the past and what might happen in the future in places they know. c. They focus on human development rather than the forces of good and evil. d. All of the above a. Hypothesized scientific advancements and imagined technology b. Probable future events c. Creative problem solving d. Scientific quests and conflicts

13. What is the most likely reason that E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web is so appealing and is considered a classic American children’s book?

14. What is the most likely reason that toys are chosen as subjects of modern fantasy?

15. Mary Poppins, Roald Dahl’s James, and Mr. Popper are all characters in which type of modern fantasy?

16. What is the most likely reason that modern fantasies about little people are popular among children?

17. What distinguishes time warp stories from other types of modern fantasy?

18. What do science fiction writers most often rely on to create their plots?

19. Science fiction written for young children tends to a. Humanize animals in alien worlds b. Hypothesize about the future of humanity c. Rely on a developed sense of time, place, and space d. Emphasize the adventure associated with traveling to distant galaxies

20. In all of her books, Madeleine L’Engle emphasizes a. Stories specifically for young audiences. b. Adult concepts that are simplified for children. c. A meaningful search for truth. d. The mystery and beauty of the cosmos and a natural balance in the universe. a. Science concept books b. Analysis of figurative language c. Fantasy picture books d. Studying science textbooks

21. Which of the following would best introduce and help children understand the more complex elements found in modern fantasy?

22. Children can respond to the illustrations in modern fantasy books by encouraging them to a. Dramatize the texts and the illustrations. b. Create new stories to accompany the pictures. c. Conduct research to decide on the authenticity of the settings. d. Observe, compare, and discuss the illustrations. a. They map the journey of the story by identifying and describing specific stages in the character’s journey. b. The identify topics, books, and activities related to a theme. c. They identify figurative language used consistently in modern fantasy. d. They clearly identify the various settings in modern fantasy. a. As springboards for discussion b. As reinforcement of scientific facts c. To sharpen children’s research skills by verifying scientific information d. All of the above a. To stimulate debate that is unhindered by children’s stereotypes b. To reinforce historical facts c. To provide ideas for social studies projects d. To sharpen children’s research skills by verifying social studies information

23. How do successful authors of modern fantasy use plot structure to develop the story?

24. How might science fiction be appropriately used in a science class?

25. How might science fiction most appropriately be used in a social studies class?

Essay Questions

1. Define modern fantasy. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between modern fantasy and traditional literature. Use specific examples of stories from both genres in your response.

2. Choose an author of modern fantasy and describe how s/he encourages readers to suspend disbelief.

3. How would you select and evaluate modern fantasy for use in your (fill in the grade level) classroom? Defend your criteria with evidence from the text.

4. Name at least three common topics for modern fantasy and discuss the reasons for their popularity. Give examples of specific books for each topic.

5. Create a lesson plan or unit outline for using modern fantasy in either social studies or science.