Colonial Themes in Fantasy: A Deeper Look

Fantasy has long engaged with themes of conquest and resistance, from Tolkien’s hobbits facing industrialisation to modern works exploring the complexities of empire and colonisation.

As I wrote The Knight and the Rebel, I became deeply immersed in these themes, examining both the machinery of conquest and the human cost of resistance.

The Colonial Narrative in Fantasy

Colonial narratives in fantasy often follow familiar patterns—an advanced civilisation imposes its will on “lesser” peoples under the guise of progress.

The Ostreich Empire in my story operates on this principle, genuinely believing they’re bringing civilisation to Wiete.

Through Ragnar’s perspective, we see how this ideology seduces even those who might question it.

The Empire doesn’t conquer solely with swords; it conquers with ideas, promises of progress, and power.

Examples of Subverting Colonial Tropes

N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy powerfully examines systemic oppression through a fantasy lens, inverting traditional colonial narratives.

Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree explores how colonial powers wield religion and “civilisation” to justify conquest.

These works, like The Knight and the Rebel, show how colonisation impacts both the conqueror and the conquered, reshaping identities and loyalties.

Writing Resistance in Fantasy

Writing resistance is equally complex.

Through Maja’s chapters, I wanted to portray the harsh reality of fighting against overwhelming odds.

Resistance isn’t glorious—it’s desperate people making desperate choices.

Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty series captures this dynamic, exploring how rebellion shapes and sometimes distorts those who fight for freedom.

The Moral Challenges of Resistance

I was particularly interested in how resistance movements can become corrupted by their own methods.

Maja aligns herself with Asgar, knowing his brutality might aid her cause but wrestling with the moral cost.

This reflects real historical resistance movements grappling with questions of acceptable violence and moral compromise.

The Role of Local Elites in Colonial Control

Another theme I explored was how colonial powers co-opt local elites to maintain control.

Ragnar’s elevation to knight isn’t merely personal—it’s a calculated move to legitimise Imperial rule.

This mirrors how real colonial powers worked through local authorities, creating intricate webs of loyalty and betrayal.

Fantasy as a Lens for Colonialism

Fantasy allows us to examine colonialism in ways that might feel too raw in historical fiction.

Through worldbuilding, we can analyse the mechanisms of conquest and the human cost of resistance.

The magic system in The Knight and the Rebel, focusing on mental influence and control, serves as a metaphor for how colonial powers manipulate both the conquered and their own people.

Showing Both Sides of Colonialism

Some readers have asked why I chose to show both perspectives rather than focusing solely on the resistance.

To understand colonialism, it’s essential to examine both sides.

Through Ragnar, we see how people justify their roles within oppressive systems.

Through Maja, we experience the devastating human cost of those justifications.

Modern Fantasy and Colonial Themes

Contemporary fantasy increasingly explores colonialism beyond military conquest, delving into culture, identity, and power.

Works like R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War and S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy highlight how conquest reshapes societies and individuals.

Fantasy’s Unique Tools for Exploration

Fantasy offers unique tools to explore colonialism.

Magic can symbolise technology or cultural power.

Fantasy races provide a way to examine differences without directly reflecting real-world ethnicities.

Invented religions and customs help illustrate cultural imperialism.

The Impact of Colonialism in The Knight and the Rebel

In The Knight and the Rebel, I aimed to show how colonialism affects everyone—coloniser and colonised, collaborator and resistor.

There are no clean hands in these struggles, no purely heroic choices.

By understanding these dynamics through fantasy, perhaps we can better confront them in our own world.

Share Your Thoughts

What colonial themes in fantasy have resonated with you?

How do you think the genre can better explore these complex issues?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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