Fantasy and Escapism

In today's society and culture, many people are incredibly busy. They work, cook and run around after children. They don't stop until the evening where they sit down in front of the television and try to relax. Unfortunately, however if they come across the news, it is usually full of sadness, shock, death, terror and war. Fantasy books, television programmes and films are used as an excellent way to 'escape' from this life, for just a little bit.

Cult television shows such as Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones and Buffy or books such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and even the classics take people to another time. They are able so completely zone out and focus entirely on that one thing, in that one place and time. By escaping into these fictional worlds; it helps to take away the concerns and worries of daily life.

Arthur Darvill, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in Doctor Who 

This video on the URL below is a prime example of how involved and focused a child can get if they are watching their favourite programme. They are completely ignoring the abnormal behaviour that is right in front of them. 

http://doubleghost.tumblr.com/post/39827049343/this-is-me-dancing-my-heart-out-while-my-kids


For myself, I enjoy escaping from the world and essentially into other people's imaginations. I become emotionally involved with the characters, story lines and relationships that are portrayed in these miniature worlds. Whether it be in literature where you can completely immerse yourself in the feelings of the characters, or picture the environments they live in, or the TV shows where they take you to different worlds and times and actually show you what they look like. It is a way to relax and forget about everything, even if just for an hour or so. To come back to real life with a fresh mind.