Varieties of The Fantastic in Fiction

Transformations happen all of the time, whether it be in the clear skies that shift into thunderclouds or withered leaves that turn to dust on the ground. The readings for this week all focused on different types of physical transformations and how they affect the lives of those in the story.

“Mantis” portrayed a young woman struggling with the shedding of her skin as well as the loss of her teeth and hair. Though these gradual changes are drastically different from that of her peers, they are still reminiscent of the stages of puberty that everyone goes through. The protagonist focuses on how her changes affect her appearance and how everyone views her because of it, creating a want to fit in. This is perpetuated through her mother’s attempts to help keep her looking fit for the role that society has given her: a beautiful teenage girl in the beginnings of adolescence. Though her mother does her best to help her daughter maintain a certain image, during the party the protagonist realizes that it is okay to shed the skin she has been trying to maintain because that is not who she truly is. 

“Fatso” is similar in that the female character wants acceptance and love towards the transformation she undergoes during the night. Though the male protagonist didn’t actually believe she actually turns into a fat man in the night, he makes the best out of the situation that presents itself. He learns to love this different side of her, even if it may seem weird or out of the ordinary, and they both gain a beautiful relationship because of it.

“Beast” takes on themes from both “Mantis” and “Fatso,” exploring the relationship between two people while realizing that there is no need to try and maintain a false appearance. The female protagonist has both negative and positive aspects of herself that she does not necessarily share with her husband for fear of his judgment. There is a lack of connection between her and her husband within their relationship, making the task of explaining her transformation all the more difficult. Once she does tell her husband, and she finds out that he also transforms into a deer, the couple then share a more profound bond than they had before.

These stories all describe key transformations within life, whether it be the shift to adolescence or the strengthening of intimacy within a marriage. It is normal for change to occur, and it often helps us learn to become better versions of ourselves.