08.0_pp_73_100_British_and_Empire_fantasy_between_the_wars

The inter-war period (1918-1939) is marked by political coherence in Europe and is characterized by cultural meaning, although it is less commonly referenced by American critics.
This era is bracketed by two world wars, creating a perception of a lull instead of a peaceful period. Events include:
- Beginning with economic depression
- Transitioning into frivolity and optimism
- Encountering another economic downturn during the Great Depression
- Culminating in a general sense of impending war after 1936.
The inter-war years saw a significant shift in British Empire dynamics, notably with:
- The independence of most of Ireland by 1922 (full republic in 1948).
- India's independence in 1947.
In children's literature, this period predominantly reflected an export-driven culture mainly exporting British books to the colonies while domestic authors struggled for publication.

The inter-war period in children's fantasy literature is marked by a decline in publications, particularly during WWI, where the focus shifted to war-related themes:
- Limited titles were released (only one title between 1910-1917).
- A. A. Milne's Once on a Time (1917) serves as a notable exception.
After WWI and leading into WWII, due to paper rationing and the war's effects on publishing, the production of children's fantasy slowed down drastically (e.g., two titles in 1939, four to five titles in the 1940s).

There were distinct challenges in critiquing children's fantasy during this period due to a lack of coherence in what constituted fantasy literature. Influences include:
- Some authors, such as A. A. Milne and Edward Wyke Smith, drew inspiration from Victorian fairy tales and folklore.
- Notable works were often satirical, catering to both adult and child audiences, demonstrated in Milne's Once on a Time.
Several works pushed against traditional fantasy norms, engaging with political satire and contemporary issues, including:
- A. A. Milne's Once on a Time: satirizes war and royal pomposity.
- T. H. White's The Sword in the Stone: combines fantasy with modern political commentary.

The search for new forms of fairy tales during the inter-war period led to:
- Renewal of the fairy tale genre through modern tales and new twists on traditional narratives.
- Authors like Walter de la Mare explored supernatural elements.
New fairy tales were depicted as both absurd and eerie, blending elements of folk tales and absurdist literature, as seen in de la Mare's works.
Literary Examples:
- Ursula Moray Williams’s Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse: a story of service and adventure.

The inter-war period saw a rich folkloric tradition emerge, reflecting national identity within children's fantasy. Folklore from:
- Ireland: Integral in nation-building post-independence through children's stories.
- Scotland and Wales: Established myths, although Welsh folklore received less attention.
Many fairy tales from the Empire were translated into English, further connecting British children to colonial narratives and fostering a broader understanding of diverse cultures.

The blending of fantasy and historical context began to shape children's literature, reflecting:
- Themes of freedom, sometimes releasing characters from adult restrictions.
- Exploration of identity, class, and nationalism.
Notable texts exemplifying these trends include:
- Masefield’s The Box of Delights: A nostalgic memory of childhood fantasy.
- Lewis’s The Ship that Flew: A journey through historical engagement.

As the inter-war period ended, the emergence of new fantasy forms and the blending of genres set the stage for post-war fantasy literature.
Authors began to experiment with traditional tales, paving the way for later, more consolidated fantasy narratives such as those of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, indicating a development towards a more cohesive understanding of children's fantasy.