I still don't agree; sorry. I don't think this theory applies to everyone.
RugbyPlayingAshaman Send a noteboard - 06/12/2010 05:30:41 PM
Maybe I'm just not a super-fan or don't take fantasy seriously, but when I read them, I'm using my imagination - I'm not engaging my belief system and in many cases, not even the full extent of my critical thinking (that is what separates WoT from most other stories of this genre - I actually think about the series and the overarching narrative).
For example, I never "ignored the implausibility of the possibility of animals talking and etc". I never had to, because I never took the story literally and thus, it never had to contend with my understanding of reality. It resembled a logic argument to me, versus an actual reflection of reality - "If x is given as true and y is given as true than z is the result" is often used in fantasy series, and most readers (I feel) don't really try to disprove the rules of the author, because it would be counter-productive.
I don't agree with Coleridges' idea in the first place, as that has never been my reading experience. It seems to me that the main difference is that I have always had an active imagination, and never had a problem separating reality from the fantastic.
Basically, I've never had to suspend my disbelief to read a story about fairies. Maybe other readers have to do this, but I, personally, do not take a fairy story seriously enough to have to go to that step.
Keep in mind from the first that I had already disagreed with core elements of Coleridges' theory - I don't think human interest or a semblance of truth is in "The Wheel of Time", thus it follows my opinion that "suspension of disbelief" doesn't apply in this case. I still think that a series more grounded in truth and human experience, such as Butlers' "Kindred", inspires the need to invoke this suspension whereas a comic book or serial fantasy doesn't.
For example, I never "ignored the implausibility of the possibility of animals talking and etc". I never had to, because I never took the story literally and thus, it never had to contend with my understanding of reality. It resembled a logic argument to me, versus an actual reflection of reality - "If x is given as true and y is given as true than z is the result" is often used in fantasy series, and most readers (I feel) don't really try to disprove the rules of the author, because it would be counter-productive.
I don't agree with Coleridges' idea in the first place, as that has never been my reading experience. It seems to me that the main difference is that I have always had an active imagination, and never had a problem separating reality from the fantastic.
Basically, I've never had to suspend my disbelief to read a story about fairies. Maybe other readers have to do this, but I, personally, do not take a fairy story seriously enough to have to go to that step.
Keep in mind from the first that I had already disagreed with core elements of Coleridges' theory - I don't think human interest or a semblance of truth is in "The Wheel of Time", thus it follows my opinion that "suspension of disbelief" doesn't apply in this case. I still think that a series more grounded in truth and human experience, such as Butlers' "Kindred", inspires the need to invoke this suspension whereas a comic book or serial fantasy doesn't.
"Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
This message last edited by RugbyPlayingAshaman on 07/12/2010 at 03:22:51 PM
Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
28/11/2010 03:38:14 PM
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Re: Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
28/11/2010 04:05:48 PM
- 1287 Views
Re: Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
29/11/2010 12:27:27 AM
- 1195 Views
Re: Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
29/11/2010 12:36:49 AM
- 1176 Views
Re: Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
29/11/2010 01:59:18 AM
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Yes, she still lets herself be ruled by her desire to control everything
29/11/2010 02:39:34 AM
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I vote it has come to pass
29/11/2010 02:48:26 AM
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Re: I vote it has come to pass
29/11/2010 09:42:51 AM
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Re: Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
28/11/2010 04:43:46 PM
- 1224 Views
Re: Easy life of Lightside heroes and pathetic incompetence of the Shadow - so what's new in Wot...
28/11/2010 04:49:23 PM
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Indeed
28/11/2010 06:16:41 PM
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am i the only one who acknowledges that it's a jerk deal for jerks
28/11/2010 08:00:23 PM
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Re: am i the only one who acknowledges that it's a jerk deal for jerks
29/11/2010 06:40:18 PM
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And in the interest of fairness, SH should've been all up in Osangar's intimate business
29/11/2010 11:34:21 PM
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Agreed. The series is formulaic and predictable, and even I expected a few more twists.
28/11/2010 07:47:10 PM
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I'm sure that all the men Ituralde lost would agree with you about it being a breeze -_-
29/11/2010 12:32:56 AM
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Byar was compulsed
29/11/2010 12:46:01 AM
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Re: Byar was compulsed
29/11/2010 12:54:38 PM
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Re: Byar was compulsed
29/11/2010 12:59:31 PM
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Re: Byar was compulsed
29/11/2010 01:10:18 PM
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He disbelieves in the Heroes
29/11/2010 03:33:27 PM
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I think that's his mind deceiving itself
29/11/2010 07:19:05 PM
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I didn't say he was necessarily Compulsed
30/11/2010 07:40:51 AM
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Do we have his reaction to the Heroes themselves?
30/11/2010 11:55:42 AM
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They did get another thing right
29/11/2010 12:40:52 AM
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Not Mat's fault, really - Verin didn't rehash her opinion of him.
29/11/2010 02:18:17 AM
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It's the WOT Red Shirt syndrome
29/11/2010 04:29:12 AM
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I don't want everyone to win and end up happily ever after though.
29/11/2010 04:33:06 AM
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The disney ending is not realistic - or at least not as believable
29/11/2010 04:41:04 AM
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Re: The disney ending is not realistic - or at least not as believable
29/11/2010 09:50:26 AM
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It's a well told story with fun characters overall, but it's definitely not "War & Peace"
29/11/2010 06:33:12 PM
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War and Peace was very thematic
30/11/2010 05:00:30 AM
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Re: War and Peace was very thematic
30/11/2010 09:35:50 AM
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I'm not really sure if or why any reader would need to suspend disbelief to enjoy WoT
30/11/2010 10:31:49 PM
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I've always thought of this series (and fantasy in general) are a bit like Aesop's Fables
30/11/2010 10:44:09 PM
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Please tell me what drugs you're on
01/12/2010 04:04:39 AM
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It's called 'reality' - I agree with LadyLorraine & Moratcorlm
01/12/2010 07:57:35 PM
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You are absolutely wrong.
02/12/2010 04:53:52 AM
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You are incorrect - you should read the definition you reference before posting it.
02/12/2010 04:19:16 PM
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No, I read the ENTIRE article, unlike you. You have to scroll down a bit.
02/12/2010 05:47:13 PM
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No, you need to read and comprehend. That was a THEORY.
02/12/2010 07:11:01 PM
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It's really very simple.
04/12/2010 12:31:16 AM
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mk, I think I understand more what you meant now after reading this exchange
05/12/2010 05:42:47 AM
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I still don't agree; sorry. I don't think this theory applies to everyone.
06/12/2010 05:30:41 PM
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No, those are disbeliefs that you must suspend.
01/12/2010 08:18:25 PM
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You have to feel the characters are somehow believable to empathize with them.
02/12/2010 01:05:29 AM
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I don't see how WoT's writing (Before, or now) prevents that
02/12/2010 04:12:54 AM
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I'm not arguing that it necessarily does for everyone, just that YOU HAVE TO SUSPEND DISBELIEF
02/12/2010 04:48:51 AM
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Black Tower
30/11/2010 01:50:29 AM
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Re: Black Tower
30/11/2010 01:57:48 AM
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No, the worst case scenario is that the entire tower becomes 13+13'd and fights for the Shadow
30/11/2010 04:03:07 AM
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Hopper's death... oh god...
01/12/2010 01:00:12 AM
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while i miss hopper
02/12/2010 04:19:28 AM
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Re: while i miss hopper
02/12/2010 05:30:52 PM
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Hopper wasn't that important, either, though.
03/12/2010 02:32:10 PM
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