This
chapter begins with Ethan as a grown man in a newly serious relationship,
taking stock of his life. Both Ethan and his girlfriend have doubts about
their relationship, with her concerns mostly centering around Ethan’s ability
to be an true adult and take adult steps and commitments. In the midst of these questions,
Ethan turns to his blue cooler, the place from his childhood where all his old
Dungeons & Dragons gear is stored. As Ethan goes through is old
belongings, such as maps and charts and dice, he reflects on what D&D added
to his life and what it could possibly give him again. After keeping the
fantasy world at bay for nearly two decades, Ethan resolves to dive back into
that realm and re-explore that side of himself.
Since
Ethan’s basement D&D days, geek culture had evolved significantly. The popularity
of the worlds of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and World of Warcraft pushed
fantasy into a more socially acceptable obsession. Ethan discusses his
plans of re-entering and this now more mainstream and evolved subculture.
At a dinner party, he reveals to his friends and family his plans to travel and
re-discover this world. His friends and family are supportive and some of them
even reveal their own secret fantasy hobbies. Ethan is still a little
tentative about his journey after this dinner, but he knows that it is too late
to turn back now. He marches on to the first step of his journey, England, the
land of J.R.R. Tolkien, hoping to maybe find himself along the way.
What fantasy
books, games, or worlds are you involved in, and what do you think they
contribute to your life?
What do you
think Ethan will find on his journey?
By
Frances Brumley
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