WS102 Week 6: Weaving Theme and Social Commentary into Fantasy
Fantasy as a Mirror to Reality
Every story follows a structure. Whether its the Hero’s Journey, a three-act arc, or a cyclical narrative, the way a story is structured determines how characters grow, conflicts unfold, and themes emerge.
Fantasy is often dismissed as mere escapism, but the best fantasy stories do more than entertain—they challenge, critique, and reflect the world we live in. By using metaphor, worldbuilding, and allegory, fantasy can explore racism, gender, oppression, war, environmental destruction, and power structures in ways that feel both engaging and thought-provoking.
📌 This week, we’ll explore:
✔ How theme and social commentary shape fantasy narratives.
✔ Examples of fantasy stories that critique real-world systems.
✔ How to weave deeper meaning into your own writing.
✔ Writing a short story that incorporates theme and social critique.
I. What Is Theme?
A theme is the central idea or message that runs through a story. It’s not just the plot—it’s what the story is truly about on a deeper level.
🔹 Examples of Common Fantasy Themes:
✔ Power and Corruption – The Poppy War explores how war transforms people.
✔ Fate vs. Free Will – The Left Hand of Darkness questions destiny.
✔ Survival and Oppression – The Hunger Games critiques class and power.
✔ Identity and Belonging – Who Fears Death examines cultural identity.
📌 Craft Takeaway: A story’s theme should emerge naturally from its characters, world, and conflicts—not feel forced or didactic.
II. Fantasy as a Tool for Social Commentary
Fantasy creates distance, allowing authors to explore real-world issues through myth and metaphor. It can:
✔ Highlight injustice in a way that feels fresh and unexpected.
✔ Reframe power structures, showing new perspectives.
✔ Make difficult subjects more accessible.
🔹 Examples of Social Commentary in Fantasy:
✔ The Broken Earth Trilogy (N.K. Jemisin) – Examines systemic oppression and environmental destruction through a world where magic users (orogenes) are feared and enslaved.
✔ American Gods (Neil Gaiman) – Explores immigration, faith, and cultural change by depicting gods struggling to survive in modern America.
✔ The Gilded Ones (Namina Forna) – Challenges gender oppression in a fantasy society where “impure” girls are cast out for their power.
✔ Parable of the Sower (Octavia Butler) – A dystopian vision of climate collapse, wealth inequality, and survival.
📌 Craft Takeaway: Think about what real-world issues your fantasy world mirrors, whether directly or symbolically.
III. Case Study: Who Fears Death and Its Social Commentary
📖 This week’s reading: Who Fears Death (finish) by Nnedi Okorafor
✔ Themes of oppression and power dynamics: The Okeke and Nuru peoples reflect real-world racial hierarchies.
✔ Gender, agency, and resistance: Onyesonwu’s journey challenges patriarchal and colonial structures.
✔ Myth and storytelling: The novel uses oral tradition to explore how history is shaped by those in power.
📌 Discussion:
What themes stand out in Who Fears Death?
How does the novel weave real-world issues into its fantasy world?
How do themes shape your emotional response to the story?
🔹 Examples:
✔ The Hobbit – Bilbo outsmarts Gollum, proving his resourcefulness.
✔ The Hunger Games – Katniss volunteers as tribute, changing her life forever.
✔ Mistborn – Vin chooses to trust a mentor, setting her on a dangerous path.
📌 Craft Takeaway: Your key conflict should reshape the character and story direction.
VI. Activity: The World Just Ended
Sometimes, theme emerges from the act of writing itself rather than planning. This quick write exercise is designed to get you thinking about how theme arises naturally in storytelling.
📝 Instructions:
⏳ Set a timer for 15 minutes.
🖊 Write continuously—don’t edit, don’t second-guess.
📜 Respond to this prompt:
The world just ended. What does that look like? Who survived (if anyone)? What remains? How does society (or lack of it) reflect themes of destruction, survival, or rebirth?
📌 Craft Takeaway: Sometimes the best themes emerge when you let go and just write.
V. Conclusion: The Impact of Meaningful Fantasy
📌 Key Takeaways:
✔ Fantasy isn’t just escape—it’s a way to explore and challenge real-world issues.
✔ A strong theme makes a story more powerful and memorable.
✔ Social commentary can be woven into worldbuilding, character arcs, and magic systems.
📚 To-Do This Week:
📖 Finish Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
💬 WS102—Discussion 6: Hero’s Journey vs. Alternative Structures in Fantasy
📜 Prompt:
Fantasy stories often reflect real-world issues through metaphor, worldbuilding, and character struggles.
📌 Discussion Questions:
✔ What is a theme or social issue explored in Who Fears Death?
✔ Can you think of another fantasy story that addresses real-world issues?
✔ How does using fantasy as a lens change the way readers engage with these themes?
📌 Requirements:
1️⃣ Reference Who Fears Death or another fantasy novel.
2️⃣ Discuss how theme and social commentary shape the story.
3️⃣ Respond to at least one peer, engaging thoughtfully.
🔹 Example Post:
"One theme that stands out in Who Fears Death is how history is written by those in power. The Okeke people are oppressed, but their myths and stories are shaped by the dominant culture. This reminds me of The Broken Earth Trilogy, where history is weaponized to keep magic users under control. I think fantasy allows authors to explore power and oppression in ways that feel visceral but also universal. What other fantasy books use history and storytelling as forms of resistance?"
✍ Major Assignment: 3-5 Page Short Story
Objective:
Write a 3-5 page short story that integrates theme and social commentary into a fantasy setting.
Instructions:
1️⃣ Choose a Theme:
What real-world issue does your story explore?
Example: Power corrupts those who seek it.
2️⃣ Develop a Fantasy Setting:
How does your world reflect or exaggerate this theme?
Example: A city where magic is rationed and controlled by the elite.
3️⃣ Create a Conflict That Highlights the Theme:
What challenge does the protagonist face?
How does the theme shape their choices and struggles?
📤 Deliverable:
📌 Write a 3-5 page short story (900-1500 words).
📌 Save as [YourName]_FirstDraft_ShortStory.
📌 Upload to Google Drive
📌 Craft Takeaway: This is an opportunity to apply what we’ve discussed all semester—worldbuilding, character development, and theme—to a short, impactful narrative.
Next Week: Using Humor and Satire to Critique Real-World Systems
Fantasy doesn’t always have to be serious—sometimes, humor and satire are the sharpest tools for critique. How can absurdity, exaggeration, and comedic subversion expose the flaws of real-world systems? Stay tuned! 🚀