Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination

The post-apocalyptic society of our future world that Alfred Bester creates in The Stars My Destination is captivatingly violent and complex. The concept of teleportation is popular in our world and is a common answer to the question: "If you had one superpower what would it be?". The ability to disappear and materialize in another location in a matter of seconds seems nearly impossible, yet we are so fascinated by it that popular culture is full of variations of the concept. Multiple examples can be pulled from the Harry Potter series alone as wizards and witches can teleport using a spell to apparate, a fire place with floo powder, or a portkey.

What I have yet to see in popular culture until this point is a world that is entirely built on teleportation. The Stars My Destination illustrates an alternate reality of our world where humans began to learn how to teleport - or jaunte. Bester immediately creates interest in jaunting by opening the story with an explanation of its origins and describing the progressive chaos that the world was subjected to as a result of this phenomenon. Jaunting is an incredibly integral part of the story and affects the lives of all who inhabit the society of The Stars My Destination.

In the beginning, Jaunting was limited to only a small portion of the population. Like any new skill, the government will try to capitalize on it and make it purchasable. As a result, schools were created to properly teach people to harness the power of jaunting in relatively safe ways (the original way to activate the power was by having a near death experience). As jaunting spread across the galaxy, it became a competition for who could jaunte the farthest. Resumes had a whole section dedicated to your jaunting status and how many miles you could travel in one jaunte. These scores were used to determine one's employability and overall usefulness in society. Using a singular factor to determine one's worthiness has never been a good idea (race, religion, gender, etc.) and ultimately results in social class conflicts.

In a relatively short amount of time, the entire world's social structure is dismantled and turned into chaos. Criminals abuse jaunting to commit crimes, the poor take over government land, and men use the newfound power to control women. The economy of the galaxy is destroyed too as the different planets go to war over the jaunting crisis. Biological warfare spreads across the land as people infect foreign countries with invasive species and diseases. The entire balance of the universe is thrown off by society's obsession with teleportation.

Bester's skill at creating believable, imagined worlds immediately draws you into the narrative. Building on the lore of teleportation, Bester paints a realistic image of what a post-apocalyptic world would look like if billions of people had the power to manipulate time/space by using real world problems that have repeated throughout history (such as the competition between the sexes for power and autonomy). I never imagined teleportation would cause such a chaotic future before and now I will forever look at the power from a different perspective.

Coraline

Coraline is a modernized faerie tale because the basis of the protagonists' story is easy for kids to relate to. Coraline is an average, young girl who has recently moved to a new and unknown place. With no friends to hang out with and nothing to do all day, Coraline is left feeling lonely and must find a way to be happy on her own. She lives in a modernized world where instead of enchanted castles there is haunted houses. The dream world serves as her fantasy land of the 'perfect' life she wishes for but soon realizes its not anything she thought it would be. Coraline goes through a coming of age as the movie progresses and when she finally defeats the Beldam, Coraline learns to appreciate all that she has in her life. The story is influenced by Romanian and faerie folklore.

The other mother, referred to as the Beldam by the ghost children, is an allusion to the Romanian myth of the Beldam which is an English word translating roughly to "hag" or "witch". In Romanian folklore, the Beldam lived in the forest, alone, in a tiny abandoned house. The Beldam had the power to shift forms and lure unfortunate children into her domain, killing them and enslaving their souls. At first, the children would see the Beldam as a friendly, beautiful woman who charms the victim. After the victim is under her influence, the Beldam's form changes into an ugly and gigantic monster that eats the heart of the child. The Beldam would only attack at night and never left the domain of her forest.

This folklore is very much connected to the other mother in Coraline. When Coraline first meets her, she takes on the appearance of Coraline's mother with a better hair cut, no bags under her eyes, and buttons where her eyes should be. The appearance of the other mother is a bit different from the folklore because she doesn't take the form of a very young and beautiful woman but rather a quote on quote "better" version of the child's mother. Turning into the mother helps the Beldam's victims to trust her - as shown by the three ghost children that came before Coraline.  Another difference between the movie and the lore is that the other mother does not live in the forest but rather near one and she does not live in a tiny house but rather within the Pink Palace Apartments. The other mother does however make a point to lure children into her dream world and manipulate them into leaving reality all together.

Once the child has spent enough time in the Beldam's world, her true form begins to come out. When the Beldam reaches her final form (an arachnid-human hybrid in the movie) she is able to take the child for herself. Rather than eating the hearts of her victims, the Beldam in Coraline gouges out the eyes and sews buttons in their place. She then takes the soul of the child and locks them up in a dark room, never to see the light of day again. Another important difference to point out is that the other mother in this movie is a seamstress and knits dolls of the children she wants to kill. These dolls are sent out into the world and used as a surveillance device into reality for the Beldam in the dream world. The Beldam in Romanian folklore is not described as using any sort of surveillance.

In faerie lore, spells are used to make people, places, and things seem more glamorous and desirable than they really are. The dream world is exactly the same environment as the real world except it is much brighter, inviting, and pleasing to live in. It is likely that the other mother was using magic to make herself and her surroundings appear more desirable to Coraline and the victims before her. Additionally, it is said that you should never eat the food of faeries as nothing good will ever come of it. By eating the food of faeries, you could be trapped in their world forever or never desire human food again - causing yourself to die of starvation.

In Coraline, the dream world is more beautiful version of the Pink Palace Apartments of the real world. This version of her life makes the dream world very tempting to visit. The food that the Beldam cooks is also incredibly delicious and much more desirable than anything her parents would make in reality. Coraline of course divulges on the feast which causes her to fall underneath the Beldam's spell even more. Although Coraline definitely puts its own sadistic twist onto the lore, the basis of the lore's aspects stay the same.

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter has been my all-time favorite series since I was a little girl. I was introduced to the Harry Potter universe in the fourth grade when I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the first time. Instantly, I was enraptured by the whimsical world J.K. Rowling had built that was full of new creatures, places, and experiences I never could have dreamed of. It is no surprise that Harry Potter is one of the best-selling series in the entire world as the charming fantasy stimulates the creativity and inner child of readers across the globe and its characters and themes are strongly relatable to people of all backgrounds. The Sorcerer's Stone, as well as the other books in the series, deal with issues of family, friendship, good vs evil, death, loss of innocence, supernatural occurrences, prejudice, and a multitude of other topics. The layers of conflict and the complexity of the main story and side stories that exist in the series provide for a lot of complex moral issues and spiritual challenges.

Perhaps the greatest moral issue in The Sorcerer's Stone is Harry's decision of what path to take as he begins his journey into the magic realm. Harry is presented with this problem as he takes his first steps into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and comes into contact with Draco Malfoy - a blonde, rich, arrogant young wizard who thinks he is better than anyone else because he is from a pureblood family. Malfoy introduces himself to Harry in one of the most self-absorbed ways you possibly can and proceeds to mock Ron Weasley, Harry's new acquaintance, for his appearance and hand-me-down clothing. The arrogance of Malfoy reminds Harry of his cousin Dudley whom he despises and decides to shut down his offer of friendship in favor of Ron.

This moment is important because it shows that Harry hasn't forgotten where he came from. In the wizarding world, Harry is a legend. He could have all the power, the fame, and the fortune he desires because no one knows him as the Harry that lived on Privet Drive with the Dursleys. However, Harry chooses to cast all that aside for friendship and to stand up against prejudice. This moral compass ultimately causes a several year-long rivalry between Harry and Draco that causes a lot of conflicts later on in the series.

Immediately after this encounter, Harry has to face the sorting hat. Although Harry doesn't truly have any knowledge of the four Hogwarts houses' (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin) history and values, he makes a decision to be placed in any of the four houses besides Slytherin. Perhaps his decision was influenced by the fact that Malfoy, as well as his two buddies Crabbe and Goyle, were immediately sorted into Slytherin. Additionally, Harry heard the rumors that Slytherin only produces bad witches and wizards, so of course Harry doesn't want to be bunched into that group. The sorting hat is quite surprised at his decision and tries to sway Harry's favor over to Slytherin with the promise that he could do great things as a Slytherin student. Despite the hat's insistence, Harry's opinion doesn't change and he is ultimately placed in Gryffindor.

The sorting hat scene is incredibly significant as a moral issue and a spiritual one. In terms of morals, Harry lumps Slytherin with prejudice, evil, and arrogance and has no wish to be associated with those traits. In terms of spirituality, a part of Voldemort lives inside of Harry (although he doesn't know that so early on in the series). The sorting hat chooses your house based on your personality. Since Harry has the personality of his Gryffindor parents and the effects of Voldemort's Slytherin traits as well, the sorting hat has an issue deciding. Ultimately, Harry unconsciously makes a choice to side with the spiritual good of his parents rather than with the evil of Voldemort inside of him.

The last, and perhaps the most important, moral issue/spiritual challenge in The Sorcerer's Stone occurs in the final moments of the novel when Harry is comes face to face with Voldemort for the second time in his life. Voldemort, using another body as a host for his soul, is after the Sorcerer's Stone so that he can be reincarnated. Harry, who has the Sorcerer's Stone in his pocket, is under the influence of Voldemort's power as the Dark Lord tries to convince Harry to hand the stone over. Voldemort uses Harry's dead parents as pawns to try and convince Harry to join his cause - insisting that there is no good or evil but only power and people who are too weak to take advantage of it. The thought of seeing his parents again makes Harry hesitate for a moment, but he sees through the manipulative lies and fights back against the Dark Lord.

Harry's decision to not hand over the stone exemplifies not only his bravery but his loyalty. Voldemort's insistence that no good or evil exists is a blatant lie used to justify his actions and to persuade Harry to go against his nature. Wizards, like Dumbledore, are very powerful but don't use that power to control or kill others in order to get more power. Dumbledore is good while Voldemort is evil - they use their power for different causes and agendas. Harry chooses the path of good in this scene and overcomes the spiritual challenge of facing the strongest dark wizard of all-time despite being full of fear and inexperience.

Although in reality, we will not be casting spells and thwarting off disembodied souls - there is definitely issues of good and evil that people have to deal with on a day to day basis. Everyday we make decisions - whether small or large - that affect our future and determine our values. The issues that Harry and other characters face are not so far from the truths of the real world.

J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit

J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit generally follows the set-up for the "Hero's Journey". Of course, to have a Hero's Journey, you first need a proper hero. Bilbo Baggins, a tiny, hairy, middle-aged hobbit who enjoys solitude and calmness is the protagonist and hero of the novel. Generally, a hero would possess heroic qualities such as youth, power, confidence, and bravery - all essential traits that Bilbo appears to lack at first glance. With his pudgy, hairy appearance and good-natured attitude, Bilbo by no means comes off as a hero; Hence, why most of all of Gandalf's dwarves question Bilbo's presence in their expedition.

The novel begins with the Separation Period: Although Bilbo's ancestors were great adventurers, he himself was not and would like not to participate in the silly explorations of such things as caves, mountains, and forests. Gandalf's inquiry about needing a suitable candidate for a quest is Bilbo's call to adventure. This request for Bilbo's assistance threatens his peaceful and secure way of life, so Bilbo swiftly resists this call. Soon enough, Bilbo's fate is sealed when Gandalf marks his hobbit hole and the 13 dwarves whom will accompany his journey appear the following day. Gandalf acts as the mentor figure that the hero meets who gives them the confidence to begin the journey.

Once Bilbo, the dwarves, and Gandalf depart, Bilbo prepares to cross the first threshold as he finally leaves the comfort of his everyday life. The moment that really signifies Bilbo's crossing into the unknown world is his run in with the trolls' campfire due to the incredibly deadly situation he finds himself in. Since Bilbo's mentor saves him this time, Bilbo has not yet reached the belly of the whale until the incident with the goblins. Literally, Bilbo and his company are swallowed up by the cave as if they are krill being sucked up into a whale's mouth. For the first time, Bilbo becomes separated from his team and successfully saves himself from danger by avoiding the goblin's detection, outsmarting Gollum, and making off with an incredibly powerful and important ring.

Entering the initiation period, Bilbo meets a number of different friends, foes, and challenges on his journey towards the treasure. He encounters wood elves, giant spiders, huge eagles, Beorn, Smaug, and has to overcome the forest, the barrels, and the dragon's lair. Due to the lack of females in The Hobbit, the meeting with the "Goddess" and the woman as temptress do not manifest as actual women. The Goddess is implied to be the Took side of Bilbo's character that comes from his mother. While the Baggins are quiet folk, the Tooks crave adventure, and as Bilbo begins to feel himself changing throughout the novel, this signifies his transformation into more of a Tookish hobbit. With this transformation, Bilbo becomes more confident and "burglar" like as highlighted in the scene at Smaug's den. The power of the Arkenstone (ie. The Woman as Temptress) draws Bilbo towards it and influences him to take the stone even though it rightfully belongs to Thorin.

For a long while, Bilbo tries to justify his theft - blinded by his lust for the power and wealth of the stone - and ultimately causes a domino effect of violence. The siege on the mountain nearly causes the death of the mission and the death of the hero himself if it wasn't for the invisibility ring. Bilbo does overcome his greedy flaw and tries to redeem his actions by using the stone as a bargaining tool; However, the price of his greed is the death of Thorin. With the commencement of the battle, a peace is achieved among the different races and the enemy is defeated for the time being. Aside from Thorin's death, Bilbo does reach the ultimate boon as the goal of the quest is achieved: reclaim the treasure and distribute it amongst the dwarves.

Finally, Bilbo enters the Return Stage and makes his journey back home. As Gandalf remarks, Bilbo is no longer the same hobbit from the beginning of the quest. Bilbo becomes master of two worlds by successfully assimilating back into normal society while still being connected to the world he experienced on his journey. Additionally, Bilbo has the freedom to live how he wants because of his new found wealth and experience.

Nnedi Okorafor's Akata Witch

Akata Witch is a coming of age story, focusing on a twelve year old girl named Sunny. Okorafor's novel really focuses on issues surrounding identity and female empowerment. Sunny's identity is very complex and she struggles with this identity in a number of ways as the story progresses.

On the surface, Sunny is Nigerian but looks like a European because of her fair skin and blonde hair - a result of her albinism. She is born in America, yet both of her parents are Nigerian, and now she lives amongst other Nigerians who all look completely different from her. Adding more to the complexity, Sunny is a female which automatically makes her inferior to the men in her society - but her disability also makes other women feel superior to Sunny as well. Finally, Sunny's sense of self becomes even more confusing when her magic powers and status as a free agent comes out into the open. All of these complexities is a lot for a twelve year old girl to take in and to learn how to cope with. Although the world of the Leopard people completely turns Sunny's life upside down, it is actually what pushes her to become comfortable with her femininity, nationality, and disability.

Albinism resulted in years and years of bullying and torment over Sunny's physical features that lowered her self-confidence. Also, it literally prevented her from being able to enjoy life normally due to having to use an umbrella everywhere to avoid the sun. Once she is initiated into the world of the Leopard people, Albinism becomes her strongest asset; Her powers of invisibility and her connection to nature exist because of her abnormality and the sun no longer burns her skin. Overcoming her animosity for her albinism is a big step towards maturity and confidence.

Females in the Leopard people's society have important roles and jobs in society that make women more equal to men. One of the best examples of female empowerment in Leopard society is Sugar Cream - a female scholar who is among the few people to have passed the fourth level in the Leopard test. The Leopard society does not stop women from pursuing the same feats as men and allows them to become just as successful. Sunny's opportunities as a young woman open up within this new society and ultimately lead to her becoming comfortable with her status as a woman.

Sure, Sunny does face some discrimination amongst the Leopard people - but her confidence with her self proves them wrong. Women are not supposed to be athletes as sports are seen as a "man's activity". So, when Sunny wants to join the soccer game amongst two teams of boys, it is no surprise when the boys question her ability and try to bar her from joining their game. Perhaps in the past, Sunny would have gave up as soon as the boys ridiculed her skills for her femininity. However, at this point in the novel, Sunny is confident with her self and completely blows the group of boys away by taking on their soccer challenge. This part of the novel is integral to Sunny's coming of age because her acceptance onto the boy's team confirms in her mind that she is strong and capable enough to do the same things as men.