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What is Fantasy?

By Mark Wilson, About.com

Question: What is Fantasy?

Answer: In books, TV, and movies, fantasy refers to fiction that doesn't assume everything has to be explained by science as we know it. Science fiction accepts the basic structure of our natural universe; but with fantasy nature itself can be different, physical laws can be different (or nonexistent!), and the ordering of the universe is entirely up for grabs. Because fantasy allows for changes to nature itself, fantasy literature is often closer to the ground than some kinds of science fiction. A good deal of fantasy literature relies on the elemental power that comes from the earth or the sun. Superhero literature is a subcategory of fantasy, because the abilities of superheroes often involve surpassing what we can expect to be, well, humanly possible. Magical powers and other forms of the paranormal and supernatural also are a part of fantasy literature.

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