Why include the Patriarchy in a fantasy story?
Why not make up a Matriarchy or any other system of power, when it's a fantasy?
Image is Blake Albrecht, a character in my upcoming fantasy series, the Elyndris Chronicles.
I’ve had readers and writers alike tell me that they are searching for something non-patriarchal, something new, something unconventional. They’re a bit disappointed at the presence of what they see as the patriarchy, the hierarchical power system that they perceive in the real world.
What fascinates me about LGBTQIA+ history in the real world is that there are hidden undercurrents of individuals being present within this structure. The struggles between the father and son, or the mother and daughter, in mythology and fairy tales are real and relatable.
I don’t know if any readers have noticed yet, but the works that I have out for free, available in my linktree, are set in two distinct universes, the Elyndrisverse and the Runefrisverse:
There are complexities in both universes that are more than just patriarchal, with different Kingdoms, cultures, and systems of belief. And yet Vincenzio and Finley from ‘Lord Adelstein’s Arcane Twinkling’ feel that they must be a bit closeted about their desires.
Adrian, from ‘Adrian’s Adventure’ is constrained by his family’s expectations for him to become a farmer, like they always have traditionally been.
Evan, from ‘Celestial Bonds’ speaks to his father, Herman St. Watt, who is a significant source of advice, discipline, and religious belief in his life.
I think it’s interesting to explore these concepts and conflicts because what readers need is not necessarily a fantasy world where all these issues have been magically resolved by a completely different power structure.
What they need to see is how characters navigate a similar world to their own and through the fictional act of overcoming adversity, learn a bit more about how to have the wherewithal to tackle the challenges in their own life.
A distaste for the patriarchy may be a wish to see the underlying power dynamics of the world turned over, from the bottom to the top. And yet it is not that simple, as it is asking people who have so many problems in their lives to look after others. It gives them a feeling of ‘Imposter Syndrome’, among other issues.
There is of course more complexities than that which expert scholars and professionals would know more than an author of fiction, so take it as opinion, and always keep seeking knowledge from other sources.
What do you think?