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
3060 Views
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
1685 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
1620 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
1587 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
1626 Views
Yes, she still lets herself be ruled by her desire to control everything
- 29/11/2010 02:39:34 AM
1592 Views
I vote it has come to pass
- 29/11/2010 02:48:26 AM
1444 Views
Re: I vote it has come to pass
- 29/11/2010 09:42:51 AM
1446 Views
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
1600 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
1585 Views
Indeed
- 28/11/2010 06:16:41 PM
1487 Views
am i the only one who acknowledges that it's a jerk deal for jerks
- 28/11/2010 08:00:23 PM
1723 Views
Re: am i the only one who acknowledges that it's a jerk deal for jerks
- 29/11/2010 06:40:18 PM
1455 Views
And in the interest of fairness, SH should've been all up in Osangar's intimate business
- 29/11/2010 11:34:21 PM
1494 Views
Agreed. The series is formulaic and predictable, and even I expected a few more twists.
- 28/11/2010 07:47:10 PM
1609 Views
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
1435 Views
Byar was compulsed
- 29/11/2010 12:46:01 AM
1783 Views
Re: Byar was compulsed
- 29/11/2010 12:54:38 PM
1754 Views
Re: Byar was compulsed
- 29/11/2010 12:59:31 PM
1449 Views
Re: Byar was compulsed
- 29/11/2010 01:10:18 PM
1540 Views
He disbelieves in the Heroes
- 29/11/2010 03:33:27 PM
1404 Views
I think that's his mind deceiving itself
- 29/11/2010 07:19:05 PM
1485 Views
I didn't say he was necessarily Compulsed
- 30/11/2010 07:40:51 AM
1383 Views
Do we have his reaction to the Heroes themselves?
- 30/11/2010 11:55:42 AM
1475 Views
They did get another thing right
- 29/11/2010 12:40:52 AM
1446 Views
Not Mat's fault, really - Verin didn't rehash her opinion of him.
- 29/11/2010 02:18:17 AM
1416 Views
It's the WOT Red Shirt syndrome
- 29/11/2010 04:29:12 AM
1552 Views
I don't want everyone to win and end up happily ever after though.
- 29/11/2010 04:33:06 AM
1428 Views
The disney ending is not realistic - or at least not as believable
- 29/11/2010 04:41:04 AM
1569 Views
Re: The disney ending is not realistic - or at least not as believable
- 29/11/2010 09:50:26 AM
1515 Views
It's a well told story with fun characters overall, but it's definitely not "War & Peace"
- 29/11/2010 06:33:12 PM
1532 Views
War and Peace was very thematic
- 30/11/2010 05:00:30 AM
1789 Views
Re: War and Peace was very thematic
- 30/11/2010 09:35:50 AM
1430 Views
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
1411 Views
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
1339 Views
Please tell me what drugs you're on
- 01/12/2010 04:04:39 AM
1519 Views
It's called 'reality' - I agree with LadyLorraine & Moratcorlm
- 01/12/2010 07:57:35 PM
1416 Views
You are absolutely wrong.
- 02/12/2010 04:53:52 AM
1397 Views
You are incorrect - you should read the definition you reference before posting it.
- 02/12/2010 04:19:16 PM
1527 Views
No, I read the ENTIRE article, unlike you. You have to scroll down a bit.
- 02/12/2010 05:47:13 PM
1318 Views
No, you need to read and comprehend. That was a THEORY.
- 02/12/2010 07:11:01 PM
1242 Views
It's really very simple.
- 04/12/2010 12:31:16 AM
1568 Views
mk, I think I understand more what you meant now after reading this exchange
- 05/12/2010 05:42:47 AM
1429 Views
I still don't agree; sorry. I don't think this theory applies to everyone.
- 06/12/2010 05:30:41 PM
1543 Views
No, those are disbeliefs that you must suspend.
- 01/12/2010 08:18:25 PM
1323 Views
You have to feel the characters are somehow believable to empathize with them.
- 02/12/2010 01:05:29 AM
1389 Views
I don't see how WoT's writing (Before, or now) prevents that
- 02/12/2010 04:12:54 AM
1219 Views
I'm not arguing that it necessarily does for everyone, just that YOU HAVE TO SUSPEND DISBELIEF
- 02/12/2010 04:48:51 AM
1412 Views
Black Tower
- 30/11/2010 01:50:29 AM
1339 Views
Re: Black Tower
- 30/11/2010 01:57:48 AM
1490 Views
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
1296 Views
Hopper's death... oh god...
- 01/12/2010 01:00:12 AM
1615 Views
while i miss hopper
- 02/12/2010 04:19:28 AM
1370 Views
Re: while i miss hopper
- 02/12/2010 05:30:52 PM
1499 Views
Hopper wasn't that important, either, though.
- 03/12/2010 02:32:10 PM
1275 Views


