Good points. I think Grimdark makes a similar error but in the other direction. It might reject the externalized binary of Good and Evil, but it simultaneously rejects that there is higher meaning to be grasped. As a result, I find that the "fantastical" elements of Grimdark settings are tend to flatten into mere set-dressing. There's not enough meaning to be grasped through them, since the whole point is that there's no meaning.
"Flat Christianity takes the brand value and drops the burden. It wants the emotional uplift without the moral terror."
Knowing that Christianity spread and consolidated itself through the blood, sacrifice, and suffering of many generations, diluting that weight is disrespectful. Even genuine idealism requires crossing a foul-smelling swamp of decomposing bodies. The fact that the world is not clean is precisely what makes it so difficult to keep your white mantle untarnished.
Exactly! It cannot be presented as binary good. It needs the history. I used the example of Victor Hugo as he portrayed it at it’s lowest and highest in the same narrative. Such an astounding piece of work.
It's why grimdark is so important. It's doing something different.
Yes, it's removing the pretense. Getting back to the roots and moving forward in the right direction. Good grimdark that is. But I know you know.
Give me moral pressure, weird wonder, and fearless prose. Make fantasy truly wild again.
Good points. I think Grimdark makes a similar error but in the other direction. It might reject the externalized binary of Good and Evil, but it simultaneously rejects that there is higher meaning to be grasped. As a result, I find that the "fantastical" elements of Grimdark settings are tend to flatten into mere set-dressing. There's not enough meaning to be grasped through them, since the whole point is that there's no meaning.
It definitely can go too far. Ie. an overcorrection.
We need to keep the wonders in our writing to stay intact too.
"Flat Christianity takes the brand value and drops the burden. It wants the emotional uplift without the moral terror."
Knowing that Christianity spread and consolidated itself through the blood, sacrifice, and suffering of many generations, diluting that weight is disrespectful. Even genuine idealism requires crossing a foul-smelling swamp of decomposing bodies. The fact that the world is not clean is precisely what makes it so difficult to keep your white mantle untarnished.
Exactly! It cannot be presented as binary good. It needs the history. I used the example of Victor Hugo as he portrayed it at it’s lowest and highest in the same narrative. Such an astounding piece of work.
The article nobody wants to read but everybody should read.
Never give up, never give in. 💜