Life of Pi
by Yann Martel
The Burden of Living:
Survivor's Guilt in Fantasy Literature
In fantasy literature, amidst tales of epic quests and battles between good and evil, lies a thread that explores a more personal and haunting theme: survivor’s guilt. In these novels, characters grapple with the weight of their survival amidst tragedy, haunted by the ghosts of those they couldn’t save. From the ruins of shattered kingdoms to the aftermath of devastating wars, these stories delve deep into the complexities of guilt, redemption, and the struggle to find meaning in a world forever changed by loss.
If you haven’t seen A Monster Calls (2016) you should drop everything. This fantasy drama movie is based on the novel by Patrick Ness and tells the story of a young boy named Conor whose mother is battling cancer. Conor befriends a monstrous tree-like creature who visits him at night and helps him navigate his emotions. The film deals with themes of grief, loss, and survivor’s guilt as Conor struggles to come to terms with his mother’s illness.
Another film examining survivors’ guilt in a unique and fantastic way is Life of Pi by Yann Martel. This movie poignantly portrays the complex emotions associated with it, highlighting the profound impact of trauma and loss on the human psyche. Through Pi’s emotional journey, the novel and film explore themes of resilience, faith, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Some additional popular novels that capture the heart so deeply are The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow (2020), The Black Prism by Brent Weeks, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, and The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.
Fantasy worlds provide such rich backdrops for exploring deep and nuanced emotions. Survivor’s guilt is a complex and powerful emotion that resonates with readers, and fantasy allows authors to delve into the psychological and emotional depths of characters grappling with this feeling. This genre employs symbolism and allegory to explore real-world issues in a metaphorical context. Survivor’s guilt can serve as a powerful allegory for broader themes of trauma, loss, and moral responsibility, allowing authors to address these topics in a compelling and thought-provoking way. Characters who struggle with survivor’s guilt are often forced to confront their past actions and reconcile their feelings of guilt with their sense of self. This internal conflict can lead to compelling character arcs and dynamic storytelling.
Life of Pi
In my Kindle Vella serial novel Sparrows Legacy, the royal heir of Flarentine, Trine “the Sparrow” Sworden, long ago abandoned the throne, saving her family from her brother’s armies sent to kill her. After years of hiding, she has finally been found and is forced to defend the village and people she’d come to know and love in Arish lands. Survived by her children, with whom she withheld her true magic, now they must run or fight to survive those chasing them.
Here is a pretty graphic moment of Tara and Teng watching the sparrow die:
Matie moaned and reached out a wrapped hand to find him, her eyes still closed. He carefully took the bandaged hand in his wincing as he watched her face flare in pain at the contact.
“Teng ‘mi pasi’.” She mumbled in broken Arish and Flaren. Teng shook his head trying to understand. Tara shrugged indicating she didn’t understand either. He leaned forward to catch her words.
“Svayant a ti mir!” ‘Your fate is protected’, Teng translated. “You are ten ‘pashir’.” She broke into a cough that caused severe pain. Her hand tightened its grip on his. Tara laid the cold cloth on her neck and chest where the blisters had gathered. The smell of burnt skin and hair was sickening. Matie shook her head trying to force something out.
“Tara! Tara, cami pasia! Protect Teng. He…will need…” she drew in a deep breath that caused more coughing. Her hand loosened its grip. Teng cried out. Reassuring Teng she tightened her grip once again.
“Tara take the broach, a cristi.” Matie managed. Tara gently removed a necklace broach her mother had worn forever. She didn’t recognize the word. Putting the necklace in her pouch she heard a whispered mumbling.
“No!” Tara yelled out. Reaching up she turned Matie’s head toward her. The pain of the movement brought a sharp cry from the wounded woman. Tara’s eyes blurred with tears as she refused to let Matie talk to the dead. The mumblings were a greeting to their dear passed Patie.
“We need you Matie!” Tara cried, losing any ability to keep the pain from showing. Matie seemed to come back to her momentarily as Tara’s voice penetrated her fog.
“I am dead!” She stated, opening her eyes to show the hollows of burnt-out sockets. Tara gasped and withdrew in shock. She heard Teng turning away to throw up. Looking back at the woman she had loved and admired all her life Tara saw the tension disappearing from her pain-filled body. Inside she knew. Their Matie was dying. Reaching over Tara pressed the cool cloth over the missing eyes of the shell of her Matie that lay before her. She grabbed Teng’s arm to turn him back toward their mother.
The Poppy War
by R.F. Kuang
“Say goodbye, Teng. She is leaving us.” Teng held himself rigidly away from the wounded woman and fought the battle between repulsion and love. His heart won out as he watched her breathing slow. He threw himself across the space to lie near her. Whispering his love, he felt Tara crowd beside him saying her own peace. They sat in loud silence until they realized she was gone.
Standing up Tara pulled Teng away from the body. With her fingers, she forcibly turned his gaze to meet hers.
“She is not in there anymore, Teng. She is in here. Remember that.” Tara touched his head and chest. Teng nodded and tears flowed, unchecked. She gathered him into a hug and gave him comfort as much as herself. His racking sobs released his sorrow. Tara let her tears fall as she pictured a thousand different scenarios Matie was living in her mind.
Closing her eyes she felt a taunt wire within her mind snap. It was such a small feeling of release, yet she was caught unaware as the world around spun into sudden dizziness. For a moment she felt pressure grow. Then it was gone. Clutching to Teng for support she murmured caution. Teng looked up at her through his tears and guided her to a small chair.
“Something is happening.” She said, shaking her head to clear it. Her voice held the confusion she was feeling. Looking up at Teng her vision cleared as fast as it had blurred. She tried to ignore it as being emotionally overloaded. She wiped the track of a tear’s path off his cheek. New tears fell.
“You still have me? I’ll always be here for you, Teng.” Tara saw the hurt and pain in his young eyes and knew hers matched. Teng nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek as well.
“I’m scared Tara. What is happening?” He seemed so lost. Tara shook her head not knowing.
“Let’s find Jock. He might know something about…this.” She looked down as the loss returned. They heard the click of the door opening in the silence.
Tara stood up quickly, sliding the sword free from Teng’s waist with a single move.
Jock’s gaze looked into the sharp point of the blade as he pushed the door inward. His eyes followed the blade slowly back to the hand and up to Tara’s face with cautious respect.
Using fantasy literature to explore survivor’s guilt serves as a testament to the genre’s capacity for deep introspection and emotional resonance. Through the lens of fantastical worlds and characters, authors find intricate narratives that delve into the human psyche, confronting themes of trauma, loss, and moral complexity. Whether set in sprawling kingdoms, enchanted forests, or distant galaxies, the fantasy genre offers readers a mirror to their own struggles with survivor’s guilt, inviting them to navigate guilt and redemption alongside their favorite characters. In the end, it is through these immersive journeys that fantasy literature not only entertains but also enlightens, offering solace and understanding to those grappling with the weight of survival in a world forever changed by tragedy.
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. Or you can find my debut SFF novel, the space opera Drayton’s Discoveries. For the love of all fantasy and SFF, please leave a review. Feedback is my sole sustenance for writing. Don’t let me starve. If you liked this blog, please be sure to sign up for future blogs on my site jlnichauthor.com.
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JL Nich, Science Fiction Fantasy Author
