The Quest for Knowledge: Autodidactism in Fantasy and Folklore
Or, When Learning Becomes a Quest in Fantasy Fiction
Autodidacticism is the act of self-directed learning, without the guidance of a formal teacher or instructor. An autodidact is someone who has chosen to learn on their own, often driven by a desire for personal growth or a specific area of interest. They typically take charge of their own education, seeking out resources such as books, online courses, videos, podcasts, and other materials that they can use to gain knowledge and skills. They may also attend conferences, workshops, and other events to learn from experts in their field of interest.
Self-learning is not limited to any particular age or level of education. Many people choose to become autodidacts at various points in their lives, either as a complement to their formal education or as a way to pursue a passion outside of their career. One of the advantages is that it allows individuals to tailor their learning to their own interests and pace. However, it requires a high degree of discipline and self-motivation, as there is no external authority figure to provide structure or accountability. While there is less structure, there is also far less accountability!
Autodidacticism has a long history: The term "autodidact" was first used in the 18th century to describe individuals who pursued knowledge outside of formal institutions, although these days, many do not know what the term means. Famous autodidacts throughout history include Leonardo da Vinci who was a self-taught artist, scientist, and inventor. He studied anatomy and mechanics on his own and is known for his innovations in both fields.
Abraham Lincoln was largely self-educated, with only about one year of formal schooling. He taught himself law and became a successful lawyer before entering politics.
Emily Dickinson was a poet who never received a formal education. She taught herself through reading and is now considered one of the greatest American poets.
Malcolm X was a civil rights leader who never finished high school. While serving time in prison, he taught himself through extensive reading and went on to become a powerful public speaker and advocate for African American rights.
Charles Darwin was a naturalist and biologist who never earned a degree in his field. He taught himself through extensive observation and experimentation and is known for his groundbreaking theories on evolution.
By taking charge of their own learning, autodidacts can gain valuable skills and knowledge that can enhance their personal and professional lives. Even better, it can be a cost-effective way to learn. Many learning resources, such as online courses and free educational materials, are available at little to no cost, making autodidacticism an affordable option for many. As mentioned previously, self-learning requires self-discipline. Without the structure and accountability of a formal educational institution, autodidacts must be self-motivated and committed to their own learning. Without the guidance of an instructor or mentor, self-learners may encounter gaps in their understanding or struggle to stay on track with their learning goals.
I can hear you wondering what any of this has to do with Fantasy literature. Well, there have been several fantasy authors who identified as autodidacts or who took steps to learn beyond formal education.
J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of "The Lord of the Rings", “The Silmarillion”, "The Hobbit,", and many other notable works, including a part of the Oxford English Dictionary, was largely self-taught in the fields of linguistics and mythology, which heavily influenced his writing.
Ursula K. Le Guin, author of "A Wizard of Earthsea" and "The Left Hand of Darkness,", numerous essays and many other works of fiction was also largely self-taught, with a particular interest in anthropology and feminist theory, which she incorporated into her writing.
Neil Gaiman, author of "American Gods" and "Coraline," dropped out of college to pursue a career in writing, and is largely self-taught in various fields such as mythology, folklore, and comic books, which have influenced his writing.
Other fantasy authors who have pursued self-education or continued learning outside of formal education include Terry Pratchett, author of the "Discworld" series, “The Ankh-Morpork Chronicles”, and co-author alongside Neil Gaiman of “Good Omens” and N.K. Jemisin, author of the "Broken Earth" trilogy.
Brandon Sanderson, the author of the "Mistborn" and "Stormlight Archive" series, is known for his extensive world-building and magic systems. He studied creative writing in college but has said that he learned much of his craft through reading and self-education.
Robin Hobb, author of the "Farseer Trilogy" and "Realm of the Elderlings" series, did not attend college and instead pursued a career in commercial fishing before turning to writing. She has cited her love of reading and her curiosity about the world as sources of inspiration for her writing.
Patrick Rothfuss, the author of "The Kingkiller Chronicle" series, dropped out of college to pursue a career in writing and has described himself as a "voracious reader" who taught himself through reading and experimentation.
Nnedi Okorafor, author of "Binti" and "Who Fears Death," holds a Ph.D. in literature, but has also pursued self-education in areas such as African history, mythology, and spirituality, which heavily influence her writing.
Naomi Novik, author of the "Temeraire" series and "Spinning Silver," studied English literature in college but also taught herself computer programming and game design, which influence her writing.
Guy Gavriel Kay, author of "The Fionavar Tapestry" and "Tigana," holds a law degree but also pursued self-education in areas such as history, mythology, and poetry.
China Miéville, author of "Perdido Street Station" and "The City & The City," holds a Ph.D. in international relations but has also pursued self-education in areas such as Marxism, Surrealism, and science fiction.
Sofia Samatar, author of "A Stranger in Olondria" and "The Winged Histories," holds a Ph.D. in African languages and literature and has also pursued self-education in areas such as linguistics, folklore, and world mythology, which influence her writing.
Ken Liu, author of "The Paper Menagerie" and "The Grace of Kings," holds degrees in law and computer science but has also pursued self-education in areas such as Chinese history, philosophy, and literature.
Martha Wells, author of the "Murderbot Diaries" and "The Cloud Roads," studied anthropology in college but also pursued self-education in areas such as science fiction, video games, and anime, which have influenced her writing.
Tamsyn Muir, author of the "Locked Tomb Trilogy", “Gideon The Ninth”, and "Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower," dropped out of college and pursued various jobs before turning to writing. She has cited her love of fantasy, horror, and science fiction as sources of inspiration for her writing.
C.L. Polk, author of "Witchmark" and "The Midnight Bargain," studied ancient history and archaeology in college but also pursued self-education in areas such as fantasy, romance, and LGBTQ+ literature, which heavily influence her writing.
And although not a fantasy author, Louis L’Amour was known for his Western adventure stories as well as his vast library and love of reading. He dropped out of school young in order to help provide for his family, of which he was the 7th child. In interviews, he frequently spoke about his voracious reading habits, and the almost-ingrained pursuit of education during his formative years.
Next time, we’ll take a close look at a number of characters in the Fantasy genre who taught themselves what they needed to know to get ahead in their worlds, and how you and I can be more like them! Because who doesn’t want to be a smart and capable hero?