On the Uses of Magic
All too often, concerned Christians bring up the question of the use of magic that predominates the Fantasy genre. Although I still claim that it is the impossibility of the world, not use precise use of "magic" that sets Fantasy apart from Science Fiction (which deals with the improbable), it would be foolish in the extreme to ignore the use of magic in most if not all current Fantasy novels.
What, then, is a Christian to think? In our real world, obviously, "magic" - that is, dealings with the occult, attempts to control the supernatural, are forbidden. We are not meant to force God to answer us, to foresee the future, to alter events. He will not be forced. And He well knows that when we attempt to force Him, sometimes other folk answer instead. Wisely, in this world, "magic" is forbidden us. (Phew!)
But does the same hold true in Fantasy novels? I would hold not, depending on how the world within the novel is established. But generally, magic is used in one of three ways within a Fantasy novel. And since the very nature of a Fantasy novel is that it is fantastic, it should be quite evident to anyone with an imagination that there is a divide between what is lawful in another world and what is lawful in our own.
What is "magic" in a Fantasy novel?
Most often, "magic" in Fantasy is simply a handy way of separating the novel from any other genre. Fantasy relies on the impossible, and what would be more impossible than fairy tale magic? No one can Mary Poppins their way through real life, but it's delightful - it's fantastic - to suppose it were possible.
One might say that, in Fantasy, magic works like a separate rule of physics particular to that world. The magic may be part of a person, a place, an object, animal, time or sequence - but it tends to be treated according to rules. Authors tend to give it laws unto itself and most frequently it extracts a price - such as running up a hill would wind a man, so expending a large amount of "magic" might do the same.
Are there different forms of magic typical in Fantasy novels?
Certainly. If we were to speak merely about the interior morality of magic (where magic is a form of physics found in that world but not in this), typically there are three moral forms of magics:
GOOD MAGIC: This is magic (or extraordinary rules) that work solely to the benefit of the morally good. One might think of the purity of a unicorn, or how Tolkien's Elves used their powers for good. It can bestow good gifts upon a person or be good as a resultant of a person's choice to use the instrument (magic) for good rather than for evil.
NEUTRAL MAGIC: This is actually the most common form found in fantasy novels. Think of the old adage of a knife - it's one thing in a murderer's hands, but quite another in hands of a doctor. Most neutral magic is inherent to the object or person who holds it. An object may have magical properties, or a person may be capable of magic. But this magic, while dormant, is neither good nor evil. It is simply how it exists. Likewise, in the case of magical animals - unicorns, giffons, etc. - the understanding is that magic is an essential part of their make-up. Imagine a phoenix without magic!
EVIL MAGIC: This is almost always magic that is used wrongly by a person choosing to abuse their powers. However, they are sometimes aided by creatures who are metaphorically on the evil side (traditionally dragons, basilisks, wraiths, etc.), and various magical objects which have been imbued with evil-intentioned magic. However, almost exclusively, it is realised in the black-and-white world so much of Fantasy plays in, that evil magic is the result of an abuse of free will. (See! Very good theology!)
Unfortunately, there are those in the Christian community who suppose that since all magic is forbidden to us in real life, God must necessarily have put a taboo upon all magic in all other imaginary worlds as well. However, as shown above, if we are to imagine that God might create a world where extraordinary (to us) things are simply a working part of the world, then we must understand that not all magics in imaginary worlds are necessarily evil. Nor is imagining a world different from our own an evil. We can quite easily, I think, imagine a world different from our own - one that we are assured exists and which, I hope anyway, we all reach!
What about books set in this world?
Fantasy novels set in this world fall under Alternate Reality, although a highly specialized branch that seems to crop up especially in childrens' and young adult literature. Here either this world is altered to allow magic (Harry Potter) or the protagonists are pulled from this world to another where magic is the norm (The Chronicals of Narnia). Although it is possible that one might convince oneself that this fantasy is reality, generally the fact that Peter Pan never enters with pixie dust to sweep us off to Neverland is enough to convince us that our reality doesn't allow for magic as it plays in these novels. However, this form of literature is wonderful because it opens up and encourages faith in He whose works may certainly be seen as "magical" for they are truly miraculous.
(c) 2000 - 2007
Updated 22 July, 2007
All Rights Held by the Author.
No part of these pages may be used or copied without express permission of the author.
|