Topic of the Week - An Army of One
In honor of Veterans Day/Remembrance Day, I came up with a new topic (last year we discussed weaponry). How do we portray the military (and other large governmental units) in urban fantasy?
In traditional/epic fantasy, fighting wars is usually considered a noble deed. Oftentimes, the alternative is annihilation of the heroes' people, their home, and All Things Good.
But as in other matters of morality, war is more ambiguous in urban fantasy than it is in traditional fantasy. Good and evil aren't always clearly delineated in our contemporary times, right?
With its emphasis on the individual, does urban fantasy often portray large units such as the military and government agencies as the Big Bad? Are they more likely to be the thing to escape than the thing to join?
The shadowy super secret agency is, let's admit it, a staple of urban fantasy. Even when the hero or heroine allies with it, he or she is often frustrated by bureaucracy and incompetence. And then there are those conspiracies...
Or am I wrong? Are there examples in urban fantasy of the military and/or other government agencies doing good? Are there veteran characters who aren't bitter about their time in uniform? What about career servicemen and -women or lifelong bureaucrats? Are they automatically portrayed as brainwashed, or can we see them as serving something larger than themselves?
Feel free to broaden the topic as you share your thoughts in the comments. As always, Members and Watchers alike are encouraged to participate.
Have a great week!
In traditional/epic fantasy, fighting wars is usually considered a noble deed. Oftentimes, the alternative is annihilation of the heroes' people, their home, and All Things Good.
But as in other matters of morality, war is more ambiguous in urban fantasy than it is in traditional fantasy. Good and evil aren't always clearly delineated in our contemporary times, right?
With its emphasis on the individual, does urban fantasy often portray large units such as the military and government agencies as the Big Bad? Are they more likely to be the thing to escape than the thing to join?
The shadowy super secret agency is, let's admit it, a staple of urban fantasy. Even when the hero or heroine allies with it, he or she is often frustrated by bureaucracy and incompetence. And then there are those conspiracies...
Or am I wrong? Are there examples in urban fantasy of the military and/or other government agencies doing good? Are there veteran characters who aren't bitter about their time in uniform? What about career servicemen and -women or lifelong bureaucrats? Are they automatically portrayed as brainwashed, or can we see them as serving something larger than themselves?
Feel free to broaden the topic as you share your thoughts in the comments. As always, Members and Watchers alike are encouraged to participate.
Have a great week!