Cultural Diversity in Who Fears Death: Teaching Representation through Fantasy Literature in the Intercultural Classroom

• Main Author: Elin Isvind
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Bucharest 2018-04-01
• Series: Intersections
• Subjects: representation; didactics; intersectional theory; intercultural classroom; fantasy; young adult literature
• Online Access: http://www.intersections-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Elin-Isvind-article.pdf

In the following discussion, the focus will be on how one can use fantasy literature to talk about representation, norms, and cultures to help students get intercultural knowledge through discussions on stereotypes and intersectionality. With examples from the novel Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor, the text breaches both difficult and sensitive subjects that can be discussed to make certain issues less alien for the reader. It is important that readers get the right tools to form deep relationships across cultural borders, and the fantasy genre is a great tool to use to bridge the gap between different cultures since the genre creates an arena for intercultural meetings where “the other” is in focus, which reduces the alienating aspect of different cultures and identities.