That is kind of accurate though if you’re basing the story on history. Like if it’s Robin Hood or King Arthur then the nobles will sound posh and the peasants won’t.
Less of an excuse for it in high fantasy; I guess it’s a quick way to telegraph to the audience who’s who, but you’re definitely right that it reinforces traditional class stereotypes.
Narrative shorthand is still important. Using existing accents, and leaning somewhat into stereotype, can communicate a great deal of context without spending a ton of time on fictional history. Is it lazy? Often, yes. But it works; just like shape language and color coding are useful tools for visual storytelling.
It’s so established in the way we tell stories that avoiding these tropes is a deliberate subversion that can be thought-provoking or distracting.
That is kind of accurate though if you’re basing the story on history. Like if it’s Robin Hood or King Arthur then the nobles will sound posh and the peasants won’t.
Less of an excuse for it in high fantasy; I guess it’s a quick way to telegraph to the audience who’s who, but you’re definitely right that it reinforces traditional class stereotypes.
Narrative shorthand is still important. Using existing accents, and leaning somewhat into stereotype, can communicate a great deal of context without spending a ton of time on fictional history. Is it lazy? Often, yes. But it works; just like shape language and color coding are useful tools for visual storytelling.
It’s so established in the way we tell stories that avoiding these tropes is a deliberate subversion that can be thought-provoking or distracting.