Part 5/10:
The Historical and Literary Context of Racial Divisions in Fantasy
Ryan draws parallels to classic fantasy literature, citing The Lord of the Rings and Dungeons & Dragons, where racial conflicts are staples of storytelling, not allegories for current politics. The use of races in such works is a narrative device—an easy way to set up conflicts, alliances, and character motivations—without necessarily implying racial superiority or prejudice.
He further criticizes the tendency of some modern critics to interpret these fantasy elements through a contemporary political lens, asserting that it's a form of overreach that ruins the escapism that gaming and fantasy are meant to provide.