From Tolkien to Sanderson: How Fantasy Helps us Navigate Life | Ian McArthur | TEDxDuke

Fantasy stories mirror our own heroic journeys, teaching resilience and offering new perspectives on life's challenges, ourselves, and each other. They inspire us to find the hero within and approach our world with understanding and imagination. Ian McArthur has master's degrees in both German and English. He is now finalizing his doctoral studies in German Studies, with a focus on the literature of the Middle Ages. A dedicated educator, Ian has instructed courses in religion, writing, and German language. Most recently, he has shared his love of fantasy through his self-developed course, tracing the genre's evolution from medieval epics like "Beowulf" to contemporary media franchises such as "Star Wars." Beyond scholarship, he is always reading and delights in telling stories; his favorite audience being his three young children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx