"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality."
The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as, "The tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities." And it's a root of fantasy.
Fantasy is perhaps the most escapist art form of our time. Much of it takes place in a world that is literally not ours. Many who choose to read, write, watch and imagine fiction of any sort are doing so to distract themselves from the real world. It's enchanting to fall into the life of another person, especially if that life includes some element of imagination.
The farther away from reality, the better the escapist result.
It's wanderlust.
Instead of the thousands of dollars it would take to suddenly jump on a plane to Paris and wander around Europe for a month, you can pick up a book or turn on a movie and visit places just as spectacular. Storytelling is one of the most lasting forms of entertainment - and, it could be argued, might be the only form of entertainment, as all others stem from it. So naturally people flock to stories that whisk them away from their own lives.
It's a rescue from monotony, sadness and worry. An escape from regular life. All fantasy stems from this idea of escapism. Fiction authors from centuries ago acknowledged the same.
Fantasy can also put the real world into perspective without forcing readers to face painful truths. Much classic fantasy literature exhibits strong commentary on the state of the world at the time. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien commented on the selfishness of world powers and the true solution being within the individual. Every message taken through a fantasy story can impact reality as well.
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