Dissecting Dragons: Episode 219: Children of the Prophecy - Subverting the Chosen One Trope in Speculative Fiction

The dragons are delighted to welcome special guest Veronica Roth to this week's episode!

Veronica is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series, as well as two short story collections and a sci-fi YA duology. Divergent and its sequels were adapted for screen. Her most recent book is an adult fantasy novel - Chosen Ones - which launched on 7th April 2020. Chosen Ones tackles the question of what happens after a group of fated teen heroes fulfil the destiny laid out for them, which makes Veronica the perfect guest for this episode. Jules and Madeleine have looked at why the 'chosen one' trope is so popular and occasionally so reviled in a previous episode; this time the dragons look at how the trope is both wish fulfilment fantasy and telling reflection of some of the less savoury practises of the modern world. It's the 'human' in superhumans that forms the really interesting story after all. Under the microscope this week - Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and, of course, Chosen Ones. 

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic