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The Dark Tower Series #1-3
by Stephen King
Character Relationships in Family Dynamics and Identity Formation in SFF Novels
How did J.K. Rowling point out the somewhat comic but harsh relationships Harry had with the Dursleys in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? Well besides the neglect, abuse, and mistreatment due to Harry’s status as a Wizard, she created the Weasley family. In a direct alternative to what was initially a horrible environment in the muggle home, Harry Potter’s bestie Ron Weasely and his family in the wizarding world are pivotal characters within the series, showcasing the power of love, loyalty, and unity.
What about the intricate relationship between Roland and his father, Steven Deschain in The Dark Tower series by Stephen King? Roland’s quest to reach the Dark Tower, the central focus of the series, is deeply tied to his familial lineage and is explored through flashbacks and memories scattered throughout the series. Steven, as a figure of authority and influence, shapes Roland’s sense of duty, honor, and the importance of the quest for the Dark Tower.
We can see the portrayal of character relationships within family dynamics in fantasy novels not only enriches the narrative but also provides readers with insights into the complexities of identity formation. So, the reader can draw parallels to their own experiences and be offered lessons in self-discovery and growth.
I could bring up the diverse and ridiculous mix of complexity of familial relationships between A Song of Ice and Fire series George R. R. Martin’s, Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryens, but I don’t want to give myself a headache. You remember them, right?
The reflection of real-life dynamics helps the reader relate to the conflicts that arise when characters experience love, support, and growth. In some instances strained or ugly relationship experiences like Crimson King and Walter Padick (also known as Randall Flagg) from the same The Dark Tower series, while the characters are linked by blood or shared histories, they show intricate webs of betrayal, rivalry, and vendettas that span generations.
If you enjoyed this blog, make sure to subscribe for more. In the future, I’ll be discussing Influential Role Models within families and the effect of conflict and the growth of characters. Or see some of my past blogs on my Blog Beats webpage.
The Dark Tower Series #1-3
Real-life family dynamics is one of the important aspects of my upcoming novel Trena, the Memory Reader. Read a sample here:
She’d grown scared of her change, initially. Her family mostly regarded her as punished, perverse, or an abomination, either due to her lower caste or perhaps her tainted visions. Even her mother gave a distant hug and stepped back in fear. She’d stopped listening to false words, but her heart had felt the banishment. A few days after getting her visor she’d known she could not stay with her once-called family of Shepherds: too sentient to their fears of the unknown. They wanted nothing of her. And she escaped the stares and gestured motions of warding evil to move into the Shamt-offered quarters.
But the merchants treated her fairly normally. Most gave her a quick nod and shared a word. She was beginning to think those from the outside world, beyond her village, may not shun the unknown without asking. At the very least, Bundis’ crew seemed willing to accept her odd eye visor without censure. She wasn’t afraid to travel with them, either. They were friendly. Bundis was a true sort. He clearly loved his brother-in-law. They laughed and joked together all night. He held responsibility for his crew, and they respected him. She heard him tell one he’d taken time to seek out the weathering, going to a seeker shamt who studied the air to check for weather anomalies they might run into. He spoke his mind and his words conveyed honesty. Besides, she knew Shamt Golis would not allow her to travel with bandits. Trena thought over these things and with Cloud blowing into her ear, a soft ‘whuffle’ of friendship, she finally began to relax.
Adilo gave her a leg up onto the pony’s seat and all too soon she glanced back to see the village of her birth receding. The yellow crag rocks of boulders near the gateways seemed as familiar to her as all the mountains crags and gulleys that tumbled and fell from the highest tops down the conical sides of her home. The double wooden beams of the entry, so smooth from the endless washing and thousand hands touch, rising twice her height, looked small. She swallowed over the lump of sudden tears sitting in her throat.
A Song of Ice and Fire Series
George R. R. Martin
As they began to move away the children ran alongside the group. They yelled the ritual sayings. “May your beast find waters”, “Cavels speed”, and “Give the gods a quarter time”. She’d said the last one a time or two herself, wishing the drovers well as they herded the flock down to the plains for sale. Such a simple phrase. And she felt a clenching of her stomach as she suddenly understood they were not just sing-song words to cast out in childhood. At least a quarter of your time should be spent in thankful prayer. You never knew when you might not have a last prayer to give.
Be sure to check out my debut SFF novel, the space opera Drayton’s Discoveries. Please leave a review. You can also read and review my serial publishing novel, Sparrow’s Legacy, on Kindle Vella. You can read the first three chapters free on Amazon by searching for “Sparrows Legacy Kindle Vella” or clicking here.
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Please read and review my serial publishing novel, Sparrow’s Legacy, on Kindle Vella. You can read the first three chapters free on Amazon by searching for “Sparrows Legacy Kindle Vella” or clicking here. I. Please subscribe to my website if you want to be notified when I’ll be publishing or to get free samples of my work.
JL Nich, Science Fiction Fantasy Author