Fiction vs Fantasy

Synonyms? No. Interchangeable? Sometimes. Let’s filter out this cocktail.

Facts First

By definition all fantasy is fiction. Fiction can be categorized into speculative fiction and realistic fiction.

Realistic fiction is nothing but 221 B Baker Street. Speculative fiction on the other hand can be further divided into two subcategories- Science Fiction and Fantasy. The Lord of the rings, Game Of Thrones are some influential works in fantasy having magic and wizardry as their key ingredients. Whereas science fiction deals with robots and spaceships. Movies like The Source Code, Back to the Future are some examples here.

There is a fine connect between science fiction and fantasy. We call this genre “Science Fantasy”, which deals with the supernatural. The Marvel Universe comes under this.

By far, fiction that can’t be technically real is fantasy. Now what shall one do with all this trivia?

What does the difference tell us?

“Avada Kedavra!” The goofy nose less image popped up in your brain didn’t it?

“Dilon mein tum apni betabiyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum.” A face yet again appeared. But this time, you knew the later half of the line and quickly took a hearty trip in your own little world.

This is an example of the realistic fiction which we all are chasing today. So far, the vertical line on the answer sheet has been drawn. But is that all or there’s something more to it?

Don’t Mix Your Drinks They Say

Can fiction become someone’s fantasy? Yes. Princess Leia, Nicholas Sparks, Jim Moriarty would keep our heart rates up.

But what happens when the boat is being rowed upstream instead?

Disclaimer: Since fantasy can’t qualify to become reality, just like some of our ardent over optimistic desires, the reality often becomes augmented.

The Intercourse Of The Two

Fantasies which are too good to be true are often practically fictional and as you will see it’s not very vanilla. Here’s why-

The two lines seemingly merge because of two major factors: We either don’t dream at all or we are too ambitious. Since the former is not possible because of the constant social media juggernaut, it is the ripple effect of the latter which gives rise to the constant daydreaming. This apparent middle ground eventually does not let us live in the present.

The moratorium of such diseased thought process is the dire need in the lives of twenty something year old souls today.

The Extrapolation

We enjoy the fiction and eye the fantasy. How beautifully chained to the circus we are though, what’s the bottom line anyway?

Coldplay asks you to fly on but he might not be coming to fix you when the truth is often disappointing. So honey, the sky might look limitless now, but a purist mind would be a better choice compared to a generalist heart any day. Fantasize, only till you can give it a reality check.