Introduction
Fantasy has always played a big role in various artistic works. It has being used widely in fields such as writing, movies and in comedy where people have used it to display unusual issues (Brenner Par.1). Artists often apply fantasy in their various works because it is a genre that uses supernatural forms in either a plot or theme. Basically, fantasy is an exciting genre of academic study which dominates in various disciplines like cultural studies, medieval studies and history. Fantasy has always been used to explore the world of adventures in which magical ideologies are created. Most books and movies normally contain aspects of fantasy as they are meant to be interesting to readers and viewers respectively. Certainly, fantasy does not stem from factual events of life, but it gives out imaginations of supernatural issues. Anyone going through a fantasy book or movie should always have an open mind that goes beyond the ordinary issues (Brenner Par.1). Although fantasy mainly dwells in imagination, it plays a role by bringing one close to reality and understanding. Thus, fantasy can help a person to have clear understanding about real life issues. In as much as it may be magical, fantasy can provide insights of how to deal with various aspects of life. An example of a fantasy is “The Faery handbag” which has several symbols and stories within the story. The objective of this story is to discuss the role of fantasy/escape as it has been applied in the story, “The Faery handbag.” Other than this, the paper also addresses the aspects of gender and responsibility as used in the story (Brenner Par.1).
Summary about Link’s story
Link, who is the author of the story “The Faery Handbag”, has portrayed fantasy which has been used to develop unfolding issues in the article. Entirely, Link does not only talk of the handbag alone but also extend to address the issue about gender and responsibility. Generally, the story is compounded by a series of imaginations that the author has used to unravel various aspects. Apparently, the faery handbag is not an ordinary bag according to how it has been portrayed in the story. Normally, handbags are used to carry a wide range of stuff that can be carried by the owner or whoever is holding it. Considering a lady’s handbag, the content usually includes make-ups and other personal stuff. Contrary to this, the faery handbag was one that could carry many people inside. Link narrates how her grandmother’s handbag could hold people who frequently exited and entered back into the bag. Another unique aspect about the bag is that those who spent nights inside were likely to take several years before they went out. In other words, one night spent inside, could be equivalent to maybe hundred years. The handbag was black, huge with hairy features and had lasted for more than two hundred years. For several years, the bag was carried by Zofia who was Link’s grandmother (Link Par.1).
As a grandmother, Zofia tells her grandchild about her history which includes how the bag came into existence. She was from Baldeziwurlekistan and claimed to be two hundred years old. Strangely, the Baldeziwurlekistan land was one that had people living under the hill. However, Zofia was not among the people living under the hill. Those living under the hill were not restricted from thee main land as they could interact and intermarry with one another. The people of Zofia utilized tiles and boards to communicate with their counterparts residing under the hill. More frequently, Baldeziwurlekistanians would go to the people under the hill because they new about the future. In return, Zofia’s Baldeziwurlekistanians would give them fermented milk and honey. Eventually, this kind of lifestyle is disrupted when a fear of an earthquake crops up (Link Par 2). It is at this juncture that that the mysterious handbag comes into existence. As such, the handbag is used to as a hideout from an upcoming menace. Zofia’s people together with the people living under the hill entered into the bag where they started a new life. Apart from Zofia and the mysterious handbag, the author also talks of other people who include her mother, Rustan (a relative) friends and boyfriend Jake. There is also a librarian who together with the other people has been mentioned in the story.
Role of Fantasy in Link’s story
Basically, Link’s story is full of fantasy as he unfolds one event after the other. The handbag itself is a fantasy because it goes beyond the usual function of bag. Imaginary, that can be applicable but not in real life scenario. Strangely the bag can accommodate many people who settle inside as a dwelling place. For a normal bag, it is even difficult to carry just one person live alone two or more. Even if there was a bigger handbag to accommodate one person, it would be very heavy to lift up the weight. In his own imagination, the author has used fantasy to portray a handbag which could be a home to thousands of people (Link Par. 3). Other than this the story depicts a situation where Zofia is the one who manages the bag. The story about the handbag is one that raises many questions because of it is something out of the ordinary. Questions like how people survive inside and how they are carried around are just but a few that may lack answers. Probably there was hidden meaning to the whole issue of the heary handbag than meets the eye. All the same giving it a practical approach, it would be impossible for a normal handbag to carry even one person. Fantasy also revolves round the story as people like Zofia are able to live for two hundred years which is completely unrealistic (Link Par. 3).
Responsibility and gender
Mainly, responsibility is portrayed in the story as Zofia is given responsibility to take care of the handbag. Since she did not stay inside thee handbag, it was more appropriate for her to take responsibility of the heary handbag. This must have been a tedious responsibility for her being that there was other people who could perform the task. Zofia took care of the bag even though it caused her problem with a librarian who noised that books were mysteriously getting lost. Alongside responsibility, the story also portrays the issue of gender as the story involves both male and female sexes. There are men who include Jake, Link and Rustan while the female include the Link, her mother and grandmother. In terms of gender, there are more females than males in the story. The females in the story also have more responsibilities than the men like for example there is a female librarian. The ladies in the story also keep themselves busy by playing scrabble. In other words, little information has been said about men. As a way of fantasy, the story portrays a scenario where someone like Zofia was given the responsibility to take care of very many people (Link Par.4).
Conclusion
Ultimately fantasy can be used to create imaginary issues even if they do not exist in real life situation. Some people use fantasy to give a more understanding and insight into life situations. The story about feary handbag is a good example of fantasy whereby it performs unrealistic tasks which are normal (Brenner Par.5).
Works Cited
Brenner, Anna. “Fantasy.” US: University of Chicago. 2003. Web.
Link, Kelly. “The Faery Handbag.” 2005. Web.