Silver Lining in a World of Fantasy

Amy Li looks at the brighter side of the Covid pandemic.

By Amy Li

Dear Future Generations,
“In this unprecedented time…”
“During this unprecedented epidemic…”
Daily I hear these phrases from news reporters and talk show-hosts, the dean of the school and my siblings. Not surprisingly, things have been hard for a lot of people because of COVID-19 and the isolation it requires of us. Just a few months ago, most people would have laughed at the thought of  a majority of humanity forced to live remotely and alone. Some might even have ironically commented: “That’s a good idea for a book.”
Sometimes, I think that’s true: maybe we are living in a world of fantasy. Ordinary life seems so far away and the dreadful number of infected grows so frequently that it no longer ripples my heart. Regardless, life goes on, and this class started.
Despite not being an East Asian Studies Major, I was interested in this class ever since I saw the poster last quarter. I grew up hungry for all kinds of fiction and with a  passion for world-building. When the fantastic worlds of Calvino, Cortázar, and Urushibara were gradually introduced in the class, I felt genuinely happy. While it saddens me to not be able to get to know my fellow classmates and share some of my passion and comments in person, the recorded lectures and short discussions, combined with the current situation, have made this class a very unique experience.
Personally, I think literature is especially intriguing when it retains relevance to the current state. The purpose of stories is to draw people in, so authors can communicate with their audiences. With our own reality a step closer to fantasy, this experience of reading/seeing fantasy also changed. For instance in episode 2 of Mushishi, “Lights in the Eyelids,” the protagonist Sui is forced to live an isolated life in darkness because of a fantastic illness. If this class took place in a regular setting in regular time, it would have been different from right now, where looking at the story, we are reminded of our own experience of Covid-19 and the isolation it has forced on us. In the end, what I want to say is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it grants me a brand new vision of  fantasy brought to life by my own immersion in this pandemic.  So, amidst the negative letters you will receive, I hope you find my letter meaningful, and also a silver-lining.
Sincerely,
Amy Li