Carlas, your argument is completely logical. I can understand how you can think that. However, perhaps the general idea of "Fantasy", and novels classified as fantastical, have changed over the years, since Tolkien first distinguished the idea? I think so. If you follow that definition, several genre's could easily be combined to form the Fantasy genre, which today contains very specific material. Horror, Science Fiction, many instances of Children's Fiction, and even such classics as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Utopia" could be considered "Fantasy". The genre is clearly more specified than its definition makes it out to be. And, over the years, as that genre has been narrowed down and focused, Tolkien has been cut out of the range of sight, remaining but a blur on the periphery. It belongs somewhere else, even though it was the beginning of the genre. Just as Frodo suffered to save the Shire and was forced to give it up, Tolkien, founder of Fantasy, should leave it behind for those to whom it now belongs.
Iarwain
P.S. Lush, I hope that provides the start of a better argument! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
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