Dis/beliefDisability and

Fantasy Literature

Impairment vs Disability

Body

Mind

Senses

Environment

Culture

Technology

Disabled and Deformed Characters

Pitiable and patheticPitiable and patheticObject of violenceObject of violenceSinister and evilSinister and evil

To enhance the mood To enhance the mood Super crippleSuper cripple

Object of ridiculeObject of ridiculeTheir own worst enemyTheir own worst enemy

BurdenBurdenSexually abnormalSexually abnormal

Incapable of participating fully in community lifeIncapable of participating fully in community life

Stephen DonaldsonChronicles of Thomas Covenant

Thomas Covenant - LeprosyThomas Covenant - Leprosy

Linden Avery - a doctor, whose parents suffered illnessLinden Avery - a doctor, whose parents suffered illness

Hile Troy - a blind military strategistHile Troy - a blind military strategist

Lena - who becomes insane after her rape by CovenantLena - who becomes insane after her rape by Covenant

Hurtloam - a type of mud which has healing propertiesHurtloam - a type of mud which has healing properties

Pitchwife - a physically deformed giantPitchwife - a physically deformed giant

Jeremiah - Linden’s intellectually impaired adopted sonJeremiah - Linden’s intellectually impaired adopted son

• Asthmatic• Breath = Spirit• Impaired in this

world• Access in/to the

other

Arthur Penhaligon

Garth NixKeys to the Kingdom