Fantasy Conventions and the Culture Surrounding Them by Marissa Klippenstein

Gender Roles in Fantasy Literature by Jackie Burke

Journey of a Fairy

Okay so this story is kind of snowballing out of my control, I had intended it to be a  quick little short story but it now has so much plot, that there is alot of story and not enough time. So for now all I have is the prologue and the first chapter.

Prologue

Once upon a time 18 years ago in the kingdom of Cantata, a land that was home to all of fairy kind. The kind and queen were in some trouble, the newborn prince was sick and passing fast. In a situation like this there are two options for fairy royals the first was to go into morning for the passing prince and would be future king and try for a new child. Or they would use a changeling which would cloak the baby prince to look exactly like a human child and switch the children so the prince would die in the human world and the queen would have a son to raise. He would not rule as he had no fairy blood in him but the queen would not lose a child.

Desperate for a child they chose the latter sending the king's brother and advisor to take away the dying child and find another if the same age. Grayson soon found a little boy in the city of London, lying in a crib staring at his mobile gurgling. The consilium performed the spell quickly and quietly, then switching out the children. Using his powers of the wind he arrived back at the border of the land and the baby. He brought him to the king and queen who blessed him with the name Caysen.

The first people to meet the new baby boy were the rest of the royal family. Only two others as both families were fairly new with the only other child being Caysen's new cousin Seraphina and her mother.

Upon meeting the boy Sera looked at him then the king.

"He smells funny.... Why?" The four year old asked.

King Rueben simply laughed at the blunt blonde girl and humored his niece with an answer

"Because he is human, as an elemental fairy as only the royals are you can also sense who has magic and who does not, along with your control over fire"

Sera looked puzzled again "but mama said that the new baby would be king one day. And you told me only fairies can do that"

"He won't, Caysen can not be king so the next child your aunt and I have will be king or queen. That is the one you will advise as soon as you both are old enough"

Two years later the king and queen had a daughter called Crystal, whom Seraphina promised to always help and assist when she needed it even when Sera herself could be in danger.

Chapter 1

Sera stood in a bedroom almost as familiar as her own while she argued with her cousin who had come up with another crazy plan that would no doubt land on or both of them in trouble. Though both ladies were of age, they were still under the guidance of their parents who were teaching them how to rule the fairies in Cantata. The fire fairy however has always had a problem with authority almost as bad as her control over her ability to light a flame at any moment. Constantly setting tapestries and dresses on fire when angry or impatient, it had become an issue as she was growing into a woman that suddenly the tattered silk dresses were no longer endearing but a concern for those who were under the future consilium’s authority. Her cousin, the princess however was blessed with control over ice which she seemed to grow into her personality, she was calm and fair with a beauty that could only be spoken in the most awed voice. With long wavy brown hair  light blue eyes and fair, Crystal looked every bit like the royal she may one day be.

When provoked however she could be more harsh than the strongest blizzard. The girl’s powers were complete opposites but they couldn’t be closer if they were actual sisters, Sera easily fell into the role of older sister and advisor while Crystal became her cousin’s only confidant. The girls were more familiar with the other’s bedroom than their own most times constantly talking late into the night speaking of things the king and his advisor had forbidden from court. A grave mistake was made some twenty years ago, a baby fairy who was supposed to die had lived and now he was stuck with the humans because his too proud father refused to let someone who had been “tainted by the humans” back into court, even his own son.

“He is out there Sera, he is my brother and a part of the family. He deserves to know where he really is from. “Crystal said late one night

“And what can we do about that Crys?” Sera refuted for what seemed like the millionth time “He decreed it, as in law we may be royal but we are not above the law.”

“One day” Crystal says dreamily “we will find my brother and he will come and live with us”

“Did you forget something my lovely little cousin? He is first born, he could take your throne if he wanted.”

“He won’t, I just know it, we as fairies can sense our families and their intentions. Like when Dad knew about Vera wanting to hurt you” Crystal explained “I can just sense that he has good will in his heart”

Sera just sighed knowing that this would always be something that her cousin worried about. Though Caysen was a good brother to her he wasn’t blood and they could all feel that. Soon after, she left for her own rooms so that she might get some rest before her next day. Sleep always seemed to help with her “lighting problem” as her mother affectionately called it, if she was tired she was more likely to set herself or someone else on fire. Before laying down for the night Seraphina examined herself in the mirror, always in some red attire as a nod to her extraordinary power over the heat. She was similar to Crystal in almost every way, blue eyes and fair skin that shouted familial resemblance, but she also bared a strong resemblance to her mother with her white blonde hair always practically glowing with power at night.  Sera lied down, closed her eyes and dreamed about what her younger male cousin would have been like. She did not think of him often, already having pledged her advisor station to the future queen Crystal.

The next morning she was cornered yet again by her cousin and made to swear on the crown that she would help with a task that they both knew could be dangerous.

“I know where he is” Crystal whispered

“who?” Sera asked not sure what was going on

“My brother, the one in the human world” Crystal said

“Oh my Pixie dust! Did you leave Cantata?! You know how dangerous that is!” the fire fairy began to berat her cousin.

“keep it down!” The younger whisper shouted “I didn’t leave, the will-o-wisps said they smelled magic near a boy about his age but they didn’t know him. And since when does that group not recognize a magical being in the human world?”

“Well what do you want me to do about it?” Sera asked

“I want you to go get him”

Faries: Tiny and Terrible people

Alice: A SyFy miracle

Alice-Syfy

Okay so let me inform you on one (and possibly the only) good thing that has come out of the SyFy network. Once upon a time there was a girl named Alice who had a named Jack. One day while eating dinner with her mother, Jack gives Alice a ring and tells her that even if she doesn't want to marry him to keep it. Though she denies at first after he leaves Alice decides that she in fact does want to marry her love Jack however when she does catch up to him she sees him being dragged into a mirror and seemingly go to the other side.

Alice determined to find her love goes through the mirror only to find out that it is one of the looking glasses in the world, the kingdom is based on a “house of Cards”, her dad is alive, the people here feed off of human emotions and that the mad hatter is actually a cute honorable man. She is forced to be the new Alice in Wonderland and she must bring down the queen of hearts (Jack’s mother) in order to save everyone including her father who had been missing for over 20 years. Alice is a changed woman when she finally gets back, she is in love and her dad gives her the strength to live on.

This is a unique type of a film because it is a small miniseries that spans over three episodes becoming close to a four hour movie. It is well done and lacks the usually cheesy radioactive monsters that SyFy enjoys so much. I love this story and it is a great take on a modern day Wonderland.

Hook: A timeless Reminder

Hook

This movie is based on the idea that Peter Pan eventually does grow up, he leaves Neverland to grow older and become a business man with a fear of heights. Now Peter Banning the goes back home to England, his orphanage and the woman who took care of him when he was first found … Wendy Darling. He, his wife Moira and their two kids Jack and Maggie go to honor Wendy as she accepts a new award from a hospital. As the adults are away the famous Pirate Captain James Hook takes Banning’s kids to never land holding them in anticipation of Peter Pan’s return.

                When I first watched this movie I was a child and it was beautiful, enchanting, and everything you could think of in-between. Peter Banning must learn to accept who he was and revert back to when he could play as Pan to save his kids. As a kid it made me think of all the great things I could do as an adult without losing out on having fun when I grew up. As an adult this movie reminded me again that yes it is important to be an adult and grow up, but it is equally important to have fun. It was a great take on the fantasy of going back to child and never really growing up. It is a fun movie that serves as a reminder that life is the most important things. You have to grow up so learn to have fun as a kid, but you do have to grow up to remember that living and surviving are two different things and after that to remember “Death would be an awfully great adventure.”

Pan's Labyrinth: The Dark Fairy Tale

This is a fantasy realm so fully and elegantly realized, it might have been a classic novel, but it was Del Toro’s imagination. Del Toro calls Pan's Labyrinth a dark fantasy for adults, because the violence it contains is certainly not suited for children.  The col-blooded attacks of the Captain towards others (he shoots a rebel after smashing his face unrecognizable with a broken bottle) and himself. The scene where he, after having his own cheek cut open, sutures it by himself and takes a swig of tequila, is both brutal and Oscar-worthy. Brilliant cinematography, Del Toro juxtaposes the reality of war to the fantasy world and somehow shows the audience that the fantasy world is more real and life like than reality. He uses contrasting color like bleak washed out cool colors for the outside world and lively, bright warm colors for the fantastical world. This film was a commentary on war as well as September 11^th.

For much of the film, Ofelia's fairy-tale quest is secondary to the power struggles in the house with a checkerboard like interaction yet seamless filming. Tensions bubble between the Captain and Ofelia's weak mother, and especially the Captain and the housekeeper Mercedes. The captain is a sociopath, obsessed with small details on using his magnifying glass and pouring over the watch his father gave him. In his psychotic obsessions, he misses the big details of the world. The faeries and fawn are ambiguous and neither good nor bad. The nurse Mercedes is good, even as she rebels because she values human life.

It is a fantasy film because there is the element of magic through the fairies and the book the fawn gives. The womb is the entry of fantasy world, and there are reoccurring images of fallopian tubes and placental tones. Even the fairies are organic. The tree is a reference to Alice in Wonderland. Magic affects the real world when the book predicts the miscarriage. Music in that scene is reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “Is Anybody Out There?” eerie intro. Ofelia realizes the power of magic and that no matter what, she must trust her instincts. Disobedience to the majority of societal pressures leads to the right door opening (with the key and freedom).

Ogres eat innocence, even though they have a feast of food set out before them. This whole scene is the echo of the feast the captain has with all of the people, even though most people are boiling roots to survive. All of the characters are at crossroads in the movie, which is when they decide to put childish toys away and lose a part of their soul. This is the melancholy truth of becoming an adult. It is not the tests, but how Ofelia approaches the tests makes the difference. In the end the captain becomes human when he asks for the rebels to tell his son who he was, and Mercedes replies he will never know your name. This kills him before the bullet does.  Ofelia becomes immortal because she made the right choice, which is to refuse death and its sting. Only if you dare to die, will you reach immortality. 

Journal of Mrs. Granger

Oh little Hermione Jean Granger. I remember the day you were born. It was sunny and warm, which is unusual for us Londoners. I remember your father holding my hand as I was wheeled down the hospital pastel linoleum hallway to the emergency room. He asked me if I would like anesthetic, but I said no. I wanted to be sure that you would be a healthy little girl. An image of the blood stained sheets of my previous miscarriage made me squeeze your father’s hand so tight his skin turned white. “Nurse!” he called. He returned his concerned face to my sweating brow. 

As I felt the sharp stabbing pains of your birth I remembered all of our excitement and preparation for this day. I remembered the endless salads, a refrigerator full of organic milk, eggs, and Ezekiel bread. My favorite was my morning swims at recreational center and the light Mozart and Bach I would play on my mother’s record player. You would always kick for Symphony no. 9 and make me crave chocolate and pickles.  September 19, 1979 was so long ago, but feels like only last week. As you grew you were always this cute little mess of brown curls, your eyes glimmering with enthusiasm and curiosity. As our only daughter, we tried to provide the best of everything for you. We hoped that one day you would also become a dentist like us. You were always so interested in animals, science, and you loved to read. We had a private tutor for you where you learned French, Spanish, and Latin at the age of five. You loved your piano lessons with Mrs. Wellington, even though she was in her upper seventies and was a little overbearing sometimes. 

We would take you to the office sometimes. I remember catching you sniffing the toothpaste samples we had in the back closet. All of the assistants and hygienists loved to hear you sing “All I want for Christmas is my two Front Teeth.” I would tuck you in your sleigh bed, read a passage of encyclopedia Britannica, answer your daily question as best I could and kiss the top of your head when you fell asleep. You slept so peaceful in your little room with glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. 

On your seventh birthday, we had a big party at our flat. We invited all of our associates, their kids and a few of your cousins. I remember spreading the last bit of the cream cheese icing on your carrot cake (which was your favorite). It was a knight and princess theme party and you tugged my apron. I looked down and saw you were wearing the beautiful pink chiffon dress and glittering plastic tiara I had set out on your bed earlier. “Mum, can I taste it?” You reached for the spatula I had in my hand. I said, “No. Wait till everyone comes to the party.” You waved your silver star-shaped wand and said “Please!” Next thing I remember was Grandma coming into the kitchen saying, “I cannot belive you let our little Hermione have her cake before her guests!” She scornfully shook her finger at me and rejoined the party. Sure enough there was a missing piece out of the cake and you had pink frosting smudge on your cheek. What came over me? How did I miss that? 

Later your father and I walked you and some of the little girls to the park. I watched you from the wood bench underneath the shade of a big tree. They were playing with their dolls and did not say much to you at all. You walked behind them and tried asking them about the constellations or their favorite Bach symphony. They just laughed and left you behind. They ran off to the slide and you got on the swing set alone, frustrated. Then the bossy little blonde one came by, Callie I think, and she told you to move. I was about to get up and scold her, but your father tugged my arm. He told me to, “Wait and see.”  You told her to sit on the other swing, but she would not have it she wanted yours. You told her no again and she grabbed the chain. Then I saw my seven year little girl turn and glare at this little blond brat and all of a sudden she was hanging upside down from the tree above our heads. Immediately she screamed and I climbed up to pull her down from the branch. I could not understand what happened, but I knew we had to get home. 

I told everyone to leave and that we had a family emergency. After everyone left, and I convinced Callie’s parents she was just playing a game and got stuck in the tree, I turned to you. “Hermione, do you know what you did today?” I was exasperated, tired, worried, and concerned. You are my baby girl. 

You looked down. You were still wearing that ridiculous dress and you tugged on it nervously, twisting the tulle. 

Your father tried. “Hermione… Muffin? Listen, you need to tell us what happened.”

Now you looked up, teary eyed. “I’m sorry mum. I’m sorry Dad. It won’t happen again.”

But what happened? 

I finished packing up and cleaned the kitchen. I came up the stair s and I heard your father reading you a story, Cinderella this time. At the end I heard you ask him, “Dad, am I a fairy godmother?” as I reached the landing. I paused and listened.

“No honey, you are normal like mommy and I.”

“But Dad I can do magic. I don’t even need a wand.”

“Today was just an accident. You are not a fairy godmother. You’re too young for that. You are just my special, smart little Hermione.”

Your father called one of his pals from University, Harold Finnigan, and told him what happened. He had a little boy that also got a letter informing him his son was a wizard. Apparently, if your child was a witch or wizard they would get a letter when they turned 11. He told us to give him a call if you did. 

I could not believe it. A witch? No, that’s not possible. You were going to be a dentist like your dad and I. I began researching preparatory schools.  St. Vincent’s Academy came up. They ensured you a spot after an interview. They were impressed with your French, Latin, piano, and your essay on how the government should not ban books. We got you a blanket with their crest and we started to set money aside for your tuition. 

I remember when you got the letter. I remember holding the parchment envelope in denial and handing it to you as you ate your oatmeal and fruit. You were 11 when we found out that you were accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I immediately called Harold Finnigan. He assured me it was the best school for you and that he would help you get the supplies for school before the semester started. The next day he took you into town to get your books. I gave him the check with the tuition money we were going to use for St. Vincent’s Preparatory School for Girls. I pushed your bangs out of your face. “I gave Mr. Finnigan plenty of money so you get as many books as you can carry, but be sure to get everything on the list first.” Your eyes twinkled with joy. “Thanks mum.” You were so excited that you read all of the books until you memorized most of the spells. You would show me pictures of the dorm rooms, the great hall, and the castle in your copy of Hogwarts: A History. 

I would get annoyed and frustrated about how excited you were about Hogwarts and how quickly you forgot about St. Vincent’s. I would snap at you and tell you to put your books away. But your father would pull me aside and remind me of the opportunity you had and how we would not see you for awhile. 

I knew I would miss you. I just wanted the best for you. I had never heard of a witch, and I could not explain the things in your books. I could have helped you in anatomy, chemistry, and physics, but there was not a tip I could give you for transfiguration. I remember waving goodbye to you on September 1, 1991 as you took off on the train. You would write to us often, telling us you were sorted into Gryffindor House, you were having trouble making friends, but you were very prepared for all of the classes due to your intensive summer reading. You were always a brilliant academic and a gifted student. You kept mentioning Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley and a poor boy with an unfortunate surname: Longbottom. I was so happy to hear that you were finally making friends, something you always had difficulty with here in London. I never thought any of this would happen, sometimes I have to look at the letter to make sure it really happened, but I was always proud of you.  

I wanted you to go to homecoming, to prom, to bring me your book reports and ask me for help in biology. I wanted you to be a better me and get accepted into Oxford or Harvard, or Yale. I wanted you to take over our practice one day and win a Nobel prize. As I gaze at this picture of you on your fourth birthday, I remember you are still just as human as I am. You are my special little girl who is brilliant and memorizes entire books. Just because you did not become the dentist-researcher-doctor of the century, but that does not mean that are not the witch-of-the-century. I wiped my tears. Hermione, you will always be my little girl. Your magic has transformed me into a better mother.

Gender Roles in Fantasy Literature

Introduction

            Knights in shining armor and pink chiffon dress wearing damsels in distress are the typical representations of men and women in the fantasy genre respectively. Ironically, the stereotype of the fantasy genre is not that fantastically imaginative. This stereotype tends to bring a negative connotation from feminists and realists. Both critics despise the style of the gender portrayals within the fantasy genre, with the former finding it misogynistic and the latter an encouragement of naïve pipe dreams. However, there is more to these stereotypes and how gender roles are represented in fantasy literature. Gender roles of fantasy literature are influenced by history, biology, and societal expectations, but the characters themselves may transcend these expectations to arrive at different definition of what it means to be a man or woman.

History of gender roles

Gender roles in literature have been greatly influenced by history and culture. In fact, the theory of gender roles did not surface until after WWI. Margret Meade was the first to really outline the differences in duties and expectations between men and women (Smith). After WWI, standard gender roles were tumultuously upstaged by the lack of men returning home. The Great War experienced the greatest loss of male population, which in turn resulted in women becoming more involved in sports, work-force, politics, and increasing their independence. However, many historians would like to credit French feminism and psychoanalytic movements as great influences on the understanding of gender roles (Smith). Roe vs. Wade was also pivotal reshaping what women’s roles in society were and emancipating gender roles from biology.

Another reoccurring concept in fantasy literature is the “maiden,” which is typically a woman who is transitioning from childhood to adulthood and she is between being a daughter and becoming a wife (Sokolski).  These maidens leave their father’s house for a husband, usually go through trials and journeys, and they find the husband suited for them as prescribed by society. Joan of Arc is the most famous maiden of the feminist revolution, who embodies the fantasy genre’s concept of a maiden because she pushed the societal boundaries of her gender role. During her trial for heresy, her prosecutors were perturbed by the fact that Joan refused to wear women's clothing (Sokolski). There is also the Greek myth of Atalanta, who was a maiden huntress and the daughter of a king. She would only marry a man who was able to defeat her in a race. Although many suitors tried and failed, Hippomenes was able to win with the magical influence of the goddess Aphrodite’s golden apples.

Male roles have not changed much in history or literature except in concert to the changes in female roles. As female roles are modernized by giving women more of a leadership role, outspoken characteristics, and independence, male roles also include the more laid back male who is shy and sensitive. Currently, there is a big push in society to establish a third gender and more freedom in the definition of gender roles in homosexual contexts. There is a theory that the whole vampire fixation in modern American fantasy novels is a metaphor for homosexuality

Recent studies on gender roles

Besides basic anatomy, there are many scientific differences between male and female gender roles. In the field of psychology, there has been a lot of research on how men and women react to issues that determines their gender role and personality. As females had to step up to more leadership roles, they have developed more executive personalities. Males have reciprocally developed more passive personalities. This challenges the previously held gender roles of the male being the leader and the female the loyal follower. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between masculinity and health. Societal influence of defining manhood is directly correlated with issues such as driving, aggressive behavior, recreational drug use, sexuality, and body image (Marcos et al.). There may be more males who are more passive in personality, but society still implements the above expectations of how a male behaves and how his behavior is directly connected to his male identity. There have been many studies that have connected male behavior with perceptive identity.

However, there has not been much study on how gender roles are developed. Some scientists speculate that peer relationships in pre-pubescent children have a big influence in a young child’s gender development and adjustment (Zosuls et al.). Family life and sexual assault are also major influences on gender development. Children will likely inherit the gender roles of their parents. There was a recent study on the differences between men and women in stereotypical thinking. In general, female students disagreed more with stereotypical statements. The students' age, country origin, and mother’s level of education had impact on the outcome of the study (“Comparing Gender Awareness in Dutch and Swedish First-Year Medical Students - Results from a Questionaire”). All of these studies conclude that gender roles are largely decided by the culture and societal impact.

Gender roles of men in fantasy literature

The gender roles of men in fantasy literature can be largely summarized by the reoccurring event of the lost little boy who becomes the knight in shining armor. All of the major fantasy novels use a male as the main character.  From MacDonald’s Phantastes to Tolkein’s Hobbit, every fantasy has a male lead. They must also experience a turning point or transformation as they encounter magic. This intrinsic requirement of the lost little Bilbo Baggins “becoming a man” is the stereotype of the male gender role in a nut shell. The male lead is always expected to put away his childish selfish wants, go on a journey, and discover something more than himself. Bilbo becomes a man when he realizes the dwarves have no home and he decides to fight Smaug, despite his fear. Bilbo is representative of the young men who left their relaxed countryside hobbit holes to fight the Nazi dragon Smaug in WWII.

Edmund form C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe also experiences this same coming of age transition into the societal male gender role. Peter is frustrated with Edmund’s boyishness and wants him to take responsibility. Lewis masterfully shows the contrast of the once boyish, snobby, spoiled, naïve little Edmund and turns him full circle to a humble, responsible, knight in shining armor. Tristran from Stardust undergoes a similar transition as he redefines who his ideal soul mate is as he becomes more of a man himself. But what does “becoming a man” mean in fantasy literature? A knight in shining armor must be noble (cares about something more than himself), be humble (not arrogant and prideful), and be charitable (love people who are difficult to love). The last feature was most distinct in the character development of Harry Potter, especially when he tells Voldemort that he feels sorry for him because the Dark Lord does not know love.

Gender roles of women in fantasy literature

The development of female gender roles is largely influenced by history, especially considering the first fantasy novel is Victorian. However as time progresses, women in fantasy novels transition from the high society virgin Victorian women to a more modern concept of a maiden in their gender roles in fantasy literature. The distinction is that the Victorian woman is more of an ideal doll on some pedestal without a real voice but is eerily beautiful as seen in Phantastes. On the other hand, a maiden is a little more independent and a spitfire. She goes on a transformative journey herself as she is challenged until she meets her match.

Feminists would say that either way (Victorian doll or spitfire maiden) female characters in fantasy literature are still repressed. Technically, a woman reaches her potential when she leaves her father’s house and gets married to the right man (preferably the knight in shining armor). Is the pinnacle of womanhood really marriage? In contrast, the pinnacle of manhood is slaying the dragon, Voldemort, or evil witch. The whole wife business is an afterthought or unnecessary loose end.  However, the contrast between the female leads in Stardust, Victoria Forester and Yvaine, shows how marriage has two different outcomes in context. Victoria wanted to marry to be spoiled by someone who society said was higher than Tristran. Yvaine was not looking to be married and ended up falling in love with the man Tristran became. The pinnacle of Yvaine’s story is that she realizes the answer to the age old mystery of what do women want: to be loved.

Another great example of transcendence of the typical stereotype of a female gender role is Hermione Granger. Besides Yvaine, Hermione is one of the roundest characters in the fantasy genre. She is full of surprise and is not afraid go against societal rules. She punches Malfoy, lies to her professors, and stands up for herself. She is loyal to Ron and Harry, but she always makes her own decisions. She knew she was worth the respect to be asked formally to the ball and got very upset at Ron when he asked her as a last resort in an off-hand sort of way. Although the pinnacle of Hermione’s character is when she is finally in a relationship with Ron, her personality is never reduced by his presence. Hermione remains a stellar student, attacks death eaters, and voices her opinion.

Conclusion

            Although gender roles and stereotypes have a typical negative connotation in society, they are not inherently negative in the fantasy genre. Sure, it is somewhat diminutive to expect every male lead to be a knight in shining armor and every maiden to be a beautiful perfect virgin, but are these expectations separable from fantasy? Yet, none of these knights begin the story at the peak of their chivalry. They must be transformed within the fantastical journey. Only then will they be worthy of the fair maiden’s affection, who has also grown. Feminists and realists may be skeptical and dismissive, but is this not the ideal relationship? Both partners have matured, experienced trial, and learned to love. No matter what society says, gender roles in fantasy literature have give and take when they are in balance with the ideal knight and maiden model.

References:

1.     1.  Smith, Bonnie G. "Gender Theory." Encyclopedia of European Social History. Ed. Peter N. Stearns. Vol. 1: Methods & Theory/Periods/Regions, Nations, Peoples/Europe & the World. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001. 95-104. Gale Power Search. Web. 30  April  2014.

2.     2.  Smith, Bonnie G. "The Development of Gender History." Encyclopedia of European Social History. Ed. Peter N. Stearns. Vol. 4: Gender/Family & Ages/Sexuality/Body & Mind/Work. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001. 3-13. Gale Power Search. Web. 30 April 2014.

3.      3. Sokolski, Patticia. "Maiden." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Ed. Fedwa Malti-Douglas. Vol. 3. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. 924-925. Gale Power Search. Web. 1 May 2014.

4.      Marcos, Jorge Marcos et al. “Performing Masculinity, Influencing Health: A Qualitative Mixed-Methods Study of Young Spanish Men.” Global Health Action 6.0 (2013): n. pag. CrossRef. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

5.      Zosuls, Kristina M. et al. “Gender Development Research in Sex Roles: Historical Trends and Future Directions.” Sex Roles 64.11-12 (2011): 826–842. CrossRef. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

6.      “Comparing Gender Awareness in Dutch and Swedish First-Year Medical Students - Results from a Questionaire.” N. p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

Mendacium Chronicles

"The future belongs to the strong-hearted...

and to those who accept their fate."

Main Concept – Alongside an intimidating warrior, a young man journeys through a foreign land, determined to get back to the world he came from.

Overview/Plot – The main character (the essential Chosen One of the game) (his name is given by the player) is sucked into a world that is not his own and that was not by his choice. He wakes up on the cobbled ground of a foreign city bustling with people and creatures of which he has never seen. When he unintentionally insults a creature and causes it to push and challenge him, an intimidating man by the name of Bo scares the creature away and extends a hand to the main character (MC). Though Bo tries to leave him, the MC begs him to allow him to stay with Bo. He reluctantly agrees, but only if the character is properly equips himself for this world. Bo does not want to be responsible for someone who does not own a weapon. This is the prologue to the story. The MC stays with Bo in the inner sewers of the city, working for Bo’s business and earning enough money to stay alive. After working hard for weeks, Bo decides to give the MC a sword with a thin blade that once belonged to his younger brother. Soon after, it is announced in the city that the King, after many years of being silent and ignoring the needs of his people, has decided to banish the lower class who have taken residence and have built markets underground. And, by "banish," he means beaten and killed by armed soldiers. Many people are murdered. The lowest class makes up a large portion of the population. Outside the walls of the city lies nothing for many many miles in any direction. Bo approaches the MC, grabs his two-handed great sword and departs for new life. Upon arriving in varying villages, they learn more about the supposedly "silent" King whose city they had fled from. They also hear rumors about a land untouched by darkness, and abundant with resources. The name of this island is Mendacium. When they learn this, the MC is confused yet excited. He tells Bo that his previous home (in the world where he came from) is called Mendacium, and, though it couldn't be the same one in this world, he really wants to make the journey to the familiar name. With even more motivation to move on, they make their way to the rumored promise land. They meet many people on their journey who are also interested in reaching their destination. They end up teaming up with five additional characters, who each bring forth different skills, abilities, and personalities. This part of the game relies a lot on the player. They have a lot of say in who they accept into their party, though they can only accept up to five. When they finally reach the island, it is surrounded by the armies of the King. Bo addresses the King as "brother," and the MC realizes that Bo has been royalty this whole time and that his sword was once intended for the King. The King had wanted his sword back, and knew that Bo was living among the underground dwellers. This is why he murdered and had his armies go after thousands of people. The party fights the King and his men. Toward the end of the battle, the MC tosses his royal sword to Bo, who then kills his brother. This means that Bo is now, rightfully, King. The MC and Bo realize that this means they have to part ways. Bo thanks MC for his company and help. He tells the MC that is he needs anything at all, he need only ask. He asks Bo to help him make it across the water to the island of Mendacium. They use one of the previous king's ships and make it to the other side. When they step on to the land together, they encounter an isolated old man who claims that the MC has "done well." This oracle had chosen the MC to come to this world for this purpose. There is a portal that will bring him back to the place his heart calls home. MC says his goodbyes to King Bo and the rest of his party, and walks through a portal. When he opens his eyes, he is still on the island, facing the friends that he realizes he has long considered family. The end.

Gameplay – This is a single-player game; however, it allows for many many hours of gameplay. The characters can level up, gain skills, cast magic, and fight monsters. The battles have classic "take turns" style of gameplay, and earns you level-up points and money to reward your victories. There are many mini adventures and quests you can take on with your party along the way. Though the game has a set plot and story, the player is able to roam the world on their own once they leave the original city. Only the beginning and final scenes/battles are in a certain order. Other than that, the player can wander as they please, completing tasks in the order of their choosing. Many of the hidden items and quests require that the player wander through most of the land. Enemies get harder as the characters level up.

Animation/Art - Similar to that of Final Fantasy XII