Schools and Education In Fantasy Writing

When writing fantasy, educational institutions in the fantasy realm (just like the real world) will reflect social structure and what is important within the culture. If the culture reveres females over males, it will show in the schools, academies, institutes, universities or whatever the fantasy writer label institutes of higher learning. In fantasy novels such as Donna Sundblad's novel Windwalker female characters are not allowed to attend school and thus cannot read.

Establishing a school when writing fantasy takes consideration. Along with other elements of society, the fantasy author will want to sketch how the school functions, what its purpose is, who can attend, what they learn, what it costs and even how the students get there.

How Does the School Function

Different cultures promote different methods for learning. Here are a few ideas to get you started when developing a school system when writing fantasy:

For more ideas look to history: History of Education (http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~daniel_sch/assignment1/)

Determine the Purpose

To help better develop a school system that works within the fantasy world, consider the purpose of the school. Why do your fantasy characters need to attend? Writing fantasy like any genre requires the author to consider the relevance of characters and places within the story. Is the school necessary? If not, delete it. If so, why? What is the purpose? How does the school influence your characters and fantasy world? What does it reveal to the reader?

Long before the twelfth century, education was a privilege for wealthy young men. Other than that, parish priests organized classes for young men desiring to enter the priesthood. These young men, in turn, gave lessons to small neighborhood children eager for knowledge. That summed up the educational system at that time.

What was the priest's purpose for teaching? To keep the priesthood stocked with able young men. In turn, these men who understood the education need of the neighborhood. They passed on what they learned.

The priest had a purpose for teaching, and their students had a purpose for teaching. It wasn't so much a formal education, but still a form of tutoring. Consider such historical elements when designing an educational system to fit your fantasy world. Make sure your school system fits the world. A fantasy world designed from a medieval perspective will be different from a contemporary fantasy world, and a futuristic fantasy world may be a combination of past and future depending on the storyline.

Who Can Attend

Each fantasy world gives birth to a unique culture. Fantasy writers have the power to create worlds where characters mature and grow in an understanding of who they are meant to be. Limiting who can and cannot attend school presents opportunity to develop conflict and tension within the plot. For example, if a character does not know how to read it may require them to ask for help. Who do they ask? Asking makes them vulnerable, thus introducing tension and the opportunity for conflict.

More questions to consider:

Historically, Pope Eugenius II ordered all bishops to establish schools in A.D. 826. This attempt at public education was to be free for the children of poor families. By the end of twelfth century boys who did not desire to become monks or priests could also attend school. The school system grew from a strictly religious training for the priesthood to educating all children, although religion was still the foundation. Creating a free school system for all classes of people is another avenue for a plot thread to follow. Would such freedom cause conflict in your fantasy world? Social distinctions, government controls and other cultural specifics will reflect in the educational system.

What Do Fantasy Pupils Learn

Writing fantasy opens the opportunity to include elements of magic within the learning process. Pupils who learn magical chants, reading and writing of a mythical or ancient language, and rituals relevant to how the magic of the world works are provided with the knowledge and special training necessary to survive the emerging quest breaking forth in the plot of your story.

Other than subjects like grammar, history and numbers, students can study subjects like philosophy, magic, oratory and logic. In the fantasy story Sky High students learned to control their super powers and in the process they were tested and sectioned into two groups—Superhero or Sidekick. In fantasy, students enrolled in magical classes may be broken into categories for ability rather than age.

If you don't want to use terms such as apprentice and novice, numbered levels also make distinctions readers understand without lengthy description. Just make it clear if level 1 is the expert level or a group for beginners.

What Does It Cost?

To keep the plot interesting, education in the fantasy world must have a cost. In your fantasy realm is tuition charged to attend school? Is running the school a profitable business? If so, who profits? Is it a corrupt business? If your fantasy world has poor villages, do the parents in these smaller towns have to scrimp and save to see their children receive an education? Is it even an option? Do farmers or craftsmen work extra hours so a son might attend school? Or do they have to give up their first born to allow the rest of their children to receive an education? If a son or daughter receives an education will they be able to rise in the world and have an easier life than their parents?

Do the females in your fantasy world have the same opportunity for education? Long ago, girls received schooling at nunneries, but the teaching received was useful for religious life. For the most part, non-church schools didn't admit girls. Instead, girls' learned to manage the household, to sing, play an instrument, dance, and also learned crafts like needlework. Care of the sick was also included in household duties. In medieval times, a girl knew more than her brothers about healing and the medicinal powers of certain herbs. In Jo Hall's fantasy novel Hierath, even though she came from a lowly family Lydia learned to be a healer, a talent that came in handy as war tore the kingdom apart.

How Do Fantasy Characters Get to School

For fantasy writers, transportation to and from a magical school can be as mundane as a school bus ride, or as exciting as flying by some magical means to a secret location free from mortal intrusion. If magical methods transport fantasy students to school, be sure to keep abilities consistent with what has been established. Even when it's magic, it must make sense to the reader.

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Harry Potter heads straight for the brick wall at King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express from platform 9 ¾, readers know he can pass through the wall. When the bus in Sky High picks students up, it's no surprise when it leaves the ground. Whatever mode of transportation you choose, make it relevant to the rest of the story.