Difference Between Fiction and Fantasy

Fiction vs. Fantasy

At first glance, fiction and fantasy seem to be the very same thing. They are words that are grounded into a similar principle of the non-truth. If one could tell the difference between the two outright, their meanings may become blurred. That’s why many experts have agreed to label the two terms with their own characteristics, so that there is a clear distinction between them.

Foremost, there is a difference in the nature of the concepts involved in fiction and fantasy. Hence, if the claim involves concepts of dragons, princesses, wizards and the like, then more or less it is a fantasy. When the claim involves concepts of aliens, cyborgs and the like, then it is part of fiction. Regarding the personas dragons and wizards, these elements are considered to be archetypes. They live in a unique archetypal landscape that is mostly influenced by culture (usually European culture). With aliens and cyborgs, these elements are pictured in a landscape that has undergone great technological, as well as, social change. Thus, they are personas that are different from what presently exists.

Secondly, fiction and fantasy differ in how they are perceived. Yes, without a doubt, both are unknown concepts, but in the case of fiction the unknown is treated as something that must be understood, for it can cause great change to the present world. However, in fantasy the unknown element is to be cherished, because it is strange by nature.

Thirdly, they can also differ in settings. For example, dragons and wizards are usually placed in the previous timeline. This means that they more or less occurred in the past. Because of such characteristics, most of these past unknown concepts are considered as fantasies. But with fiction, the concepts are often applied in the future, as in advanced technologies and other life forms in space.

To give more concrete examples of fiction, some of its most popular themes are: Time traveling, worm holes, aliens and super intelligent robots. Fantasy includes concepts like talking animals and plants.

Lastly, fiction is much closer to the facts, or are all based on facts. Although they are still not true, they are almost always likely to be true. Conversely, fantasies are often concepts that are scientifically impossible, as in the case of talking plants and flying horses. They are those that do not really exist in real life.

1. Fiction is closely connoted with unbelievable science and advanced technologies, whereas fantasies are linked closer to an archetypal landscape that is culturally influenced, like the concept of dragons.

2. Fiction is intended to be understood, while fantasies are more concepts to be loved and cherished.

3. Generally, most fiction is placed in the futuristic timeline, whereas most fantasies are placed in the past.

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