You are incorrect - you should read the definition you reference before posting it. - Edit 1
Before modification by RugbyPlayingAshaman at 02/12/2010 04:27:15 PM
"Suspension of disbelief" is the ability to ignore the obviously false elements in any work of fiction in order to become invested emotionally in the work of fiction.
Hell, even wikipedia realizes that it is needed for "any storytelling".
Suspension of disbelief is required for ANY work of fiction. ANY WORK OF FICTION. LET ME REPEAT: ANY WORK OF FICTION.
Hell, even wikipedia realizes that it is needed for "any storytelling".
Suspension of disbelief is required for ANY work of fiction. ANY WORK OF FICTION. LET ME REPEAT: ANY WORK OF FICTION.
From Wikipedia: "Suspension of disbelief or "willing suspension of disbelief" is a formula for justifying the use of fantastic or non-realistic elements in literature. It was put forth in English by the poet and aesthetic philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who suggested that if a writer could infuse a "human interest and a semblance of truth" into a fantastic tale, the reader would suspend judgment concerning the implausibility of the narrative.
The phrase "suspension of disbelief" came to be used more loosely in the later 20th century, often used to imply that the onus was on the reader, rather than the writer, to achieve it. It might be used to refer to the willingness of the audience to overlook the limitations of a medium, so that these do not interfere with the acceptance of those premises. These fictional premises may also lend to the engagement of the mind and perhaps proposition of thoughts, ideas, art and theories."
Notice that the definition and the passage don't say it is needed for any storytelling - that is your understanding of it, not what the term actually means. Note there is a further explanation further down the page during a discussion about Superman that illustrates how readers might need to suspend their disbelief for one element of a fictional story, but not have any problems with other fantastical elements.
Do you need to suspend your disbelief to read a fairy tale? You know it is not true; you are not expected to believe it is true.
That is the crucial element you are missing.
In order to need to "suspend your disbelief", you must actually be asked to believe in something you otherwise might not.
I very highly doubt that RJ intended for "The Wheel of Time" to be taken seriously and for it to contain elements you were supposed to believe in.
I would say your main issue is that you don't understand that, just as the Wikipedia article indicated in the Superman example, not all readers need to suspend their disbelief to understand a fantasy story because they understand it to be fictional, while you may need to do so.