Is Fantasy a dream or an escape?

[HerenIstarion]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Why are they jailers?

Because they hold power and want to keep it, and the only way to keep it is to make sure no-one can get out? Is that too cynical a hypothesis regarding the criticism of literature though?

Yes, up to a point. A bit cynical, maybe, but:

People to have a Cause (bright future, democracy, development, betterment of the world – underline applicable), and to be (or at least to proclaim to be) in the pursuit (especially, in the lead of such a pursuit) of its fulfillment, do not like some of their ‘flock’ to ‘digress’. If I care for something more than I do for the Cause (or even if I do care for both equally, still more if I do not care for the Cause at all) I’m a threat to it (even if I do nothing of my own accord against it). In this respect, my effort to ‘go out’ will be labeled ‘escapism’ no doubt, and from my point of view, those to try to keep me ‘in’ would be jailers.

Maybe ‘wicked children’ would be a better description? Haven’t you met such, who want the whole kindergarten to play games they like, not letting others entertain themselves according to they own tastes?