Fantasy and Taoism in &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;The Earthsea Cycle&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

Huang, Yini; Dai, Hongbin

doi:10.4236/als.2017.53005

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…It aims at working on the basis of wholeness, balance, and the equilibrium to understand the nature of things (Galbreath, 1980). Magic plays an indispensable role in building a link based on the name between human perception and their external world (Huang & Dai, 2017). According to Taoist philosophy, the name refers to the source of all being: "the Named is the Mother of All Things," (Lao-Tzu, Chapter 1).…”

Section: Initiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Le Guin's magic in the context of Taoism: reading A Wizard of Earthsea

Park¹,

Mustofa²,

Kurnia³

2017

RR. Т. and A.L.

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This research examines the role of magic in fantasy fiction, with a particular emphasis on Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea (1968). The research shows how the concept of balance is essential to the coming-of-age tale of a young wizard's development into a responsible adult through qualitative thematic analysis of the themes of true name, voyage, and shadow in the novel. The theoretical foundation for analyzing Le Guin's magic is derived from the Taoist philosophy and the Jungian theory of wholeness. Le Guin's portrayal of magic emphasizes the Taoist idea of balance that is realized through the interconnectedness of opposites by showing how mastering magic equips the wizard with knowledge that helps him to see things' real meanings. By choosing the road of balance, the wizard is able to face and reconcile with his darkness, which leads to mental development and completeness. The study's findings support the idea that magic, with its philosophical underpinnings, acts as an internal force that drives the wizard into spiritual maturity and marks a key turning point in the story. A Wizard of Earthsea offers a distinctive viewpoint on the function of magic in the fantasy genre by examining binary interactions within a framework of balance and wholeness.

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Section: Initiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Le Guin's magic in the context of Taoism: reading A Wizard of Earthsea

Park¹,

Mustofa²,

Kurnia³

2017

RR. Т. and A.L.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the interview with Brenda Peterson, Le Guin did not hesitate to show her deep interest in Taoism by remarking that "This is something women need, I think, and long for, often without knowing it. That's undoubtedly one reason why all my life I've found the Tao de Ching so refreshing and empowering" (Peterson, 2016). Such open and direct statements of her interest in and love of Taoism and all that it stands for demonstrate how Taoism plays an indispensable role in shaping Le Guin as a writer and an individual.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%