Fantasy, Communal Storytelling, and Regeneration in Dungeons and Dragons
Barr, Gregory Allen
Barr, Gregory Allen
Abstract
Dungeons and Dragons, a tabletop Roleplaying Game, functions as a form of communal storytelling in modern American society. It utilizes elements of the Fantasy genre as outlined by J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis to tell modern stories. While utilizing elements of the Medievalism originating in the 1960's and 1970's D&D allows players to be changed by stories and to change the stories in turn, resulting in a regenerative cycle of both story and personal growth. D&D is uniquely positioned to do this. Its cultural resurgence at times of stress within the American culture positions D&D as a perfect medium for meaning-making through story telling in the modern era.
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Date
2025-05-15
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University of Wyoming Libraries
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Keywords
D&D,roleplaying,games,communal storytelling,regeneration