We often think of fantasy books as pure escapism. They are the places we go to run away from homework, boring jobs, and the endless cycle of bad news on social media. We trade our world for places filled with dragons, wizards, magic swords, and impossible castles. But have you ever noticed that while you’re busy soaring on a broomstick or marching towards Mordor, the problems the characters face feel strangely familiar? That’s because the best fantasy worlds aren’t actually escapes from reality; they are reflections of it. They are funhouse mirrors that distort and exaggerate our own society to help us see it more clearly. By stripping away the specific names and dates of our history and replacing them with orcs and elves, authors can explore difficult topics like power, prejudice, and war without the baggage of real-world politics getting in the way.

The Politics of Power and Corruption

One of the most common themes in fantasy is the corrupting nature of power. We see this in our own world constantly—politicians who lose their way, corporations that prioritize profit over people, and leaders who refuse to give up control. Fantasy takes this concept and makes it literal.

In The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, the One Ring isn't just a piece of jewelry; it is the physical embodiment of absolute power. It tempts even the most noble characters, like Gandalf and Galadriel, showing that no one is immune to the desire to control others. The Ring reflects the real-world truth that power is dangerous and addictive. Tolkien wrote the books during the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century, and his story serves as a timeless warning about how the desire for domination can destroy not just the oppressed, but the oppressor as well.

Similarly, in A Song of Ice and Fire (the basis for Game of Thrones) by George R.R. Martin, the struggle for the Iron Throne mirrors the brutal reality of historical and modern politics. It shows how the quest for power often leads to chaos, suffering for the common people, and the betrayal of one's own morals. It’s a grim reminder that the "game" of politics often has very real and bloody consequences for everyone else.

Prejudice and Class Division

Fantasy worlds are often divided by species—elves, dwarves, humans, goblins—but these divisions are frequently metaphors for the racism and classism we see in real life. Authors use these fictional tensions to explore how we treat people who are "different" from us.

Take the Harry Potter series, for example. The conflict isn't just about good wizards fighting bad wizards; it's heavily focused on "blood status." The Death Eaters believe that "Pure-bloods" are superior to "Half-bloods" and "Muggle-borns." This obsession with purity and lineage directly parallels real-world ideologies of white supremacy and ethnic cleansing. By framing it in a magical context, J.K. Rowling allows young readers to understand the ugliness of bigotry and the importance of standing up for equality, regardless of someone's background.

In The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, non-humans like elves and dwarves are often forced into ghettos and treated as second-class citizens. They face pogroms and systemic discrimination, mirroring the treatment of marginalized groups throughout history. These stories force us to confront the unfairness of judging someone based on what they are rather than who they are.

The Environmental Warning

Many fantasy worlds are deeply connected to nature, and when that balance is disturbed, disaster follows. This reflects our own society's struggle with climate change and environmental destruction.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, the villain Saruman destroys the beautiful forests of Isengard to fuel his war machine. He values industry and metal over the living earth. The Ents—ancient tree-shepherds—rise up to stop him, representing nature fighting back against industrial exploitation. It’s a powerful message about the cost of progress when it comes at the expense of the planet.

More recently, N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy takes place on a world constantly wracked by geological disasters. The society is built around survival and the exploitation of "orogenes"—people who can control the earth. The series is a profound commentary on how societies are shaped by their environments and how systemic oppression is often justified by the need for survival. It challenges readers to think about how our own world handles ecological crises and who suffers the most when disaster strikes.