This document provides an overview of fantasy theme analysis, a method of rhetorical criticism developed by Ernest Bormann. It examines how shared fantasies and rhetorical visions create a common reality and consciousness within small groups. Fantasy theme analysis involves identifying the setting, character, and action themes within artifacts to understand the group's worldview. When themes converge between individuals, it indicates symbolic conversion has occurred and a rhetorical community has formed that interprets events in similar ways.

1. Fantasy-Theme
Criticism Provides insight into the
shared worldview of groups
Chapter 5 Rhetorical Criticism

2. Fantasy
Theme
Analysis is
based in
Symbolic
Conversion
Theory
Created by Ernest G. Bormann
who studied group
communication
This method is used
when small groups are
involved,
when themes function to
connect audiences,
and when an individual finds
some aspect of a message and
imaginatively participated in
images and actions stimulated
by the message.
“Fantasy” means the
worldview of the group that is
removed in time and space
from an actual group situation

3. SymbolicConversionTheory
Is based on 2 assumptions:
 Communication creates reality
 Symbols create a shared reality (meaning and emotion) with others with whom there is general agreement on
subjective meanings
Says the evidence that symbolic conversion has occurred is:
Frequent mention of a theme
A narrative exists that shows up in many messages
People use cryptic symbolic cues (code word or gesture)
Example of convergence occurring:The “Got Milk” ad campaign that moved beyond milk to be “Got X?” where X
is anything from trees to laptops to mice.

4. Symbolic
Convergence
Theory
Explains
Shared
Realities by
Groups
Individuals’ meanings
for symbols converge
to create a shared
reality, a community
consciousness.
Consensus and
agreement occurs on
subjective meanings.
Community is created
to share common
experience and build
mutual understanding.
They jointly experience
the same emotions.
They begin to interpret
their shared
experiences in the
same way.

5. Convergence
and Fantasy
Theme
Examples
Propaganda
campaigns
Advertising
campaigns
Social, political
and religious
groups and
movements
Secret societies
Cultures and
sub-cultures
Cults

6. BasicUnit of
Analysis
The FantasyTheme: words,
phrases, and statements that
• interpret the past, envision the future, or
depict current events that are removed in
time and space from the group.
• Articulate the groups’ mind and
encompass a common experience that
becomes shared knowledge
• Are characterized by artistic and
organized qualities
01
The RhetoricalVision: Combining
shared fantasies to create an
interpretation of reality
02

7. The FantasyThemeCreates Reality
 3 types of fantasy themes:
 Setting themes: Statements that depict where and describe where the action takes place.
 Character themes: Describe the actors and agents of the drama and their characteristics.
 Action themes: Called plotlines that deal with the actions in the drama.
 FantasyThemes are dramatic, artistic and organized.
 FantasyThemes make sense out of chaotic events.
 Shared Fantasies provide good reasons for arguments.
 A FantasyType is a stock scenario that encompasses several related fantasy themes. Fantasy types are used to fit new
events into familiar patterns.

8. RhetoricalVision
 A “unified putting together of the various shared fantasies.”
 The settings, characters, and actions work together to form a symbolic drama, a
coherent interpretation of reality.
 People who share a rhetorical vision constitute a Rhetorical Community.
 They will cheer and emulate their heroes
 They will react with antipathy and despise their villians.
 They will agree on what is evidence, how to build a case and refute arguments.
 The substance of the vision propels the individuals and their community

9. Artifacts for
Fantasy
Theme
Analysis
Evidence that Symbolic
Convergence has
occurred.
That people have shared
fantasy themes and a
rhetorical vision.
An advertisement, song,
book, or film may show
evidence of symbolic
convergence.
Political speeches,
comedy monologues,
religious sermons can be
fantasy themes that
divulge rhetorical visions.

10. Fantasy themed Method ofCritique
 1 – Select the artifact (it must show evidence that symbolic convergence has
occurred)
 2 – Analyze the artifact (see next slide)
 3 – Formulate the research question: Ask about the strategies used to accomplish
specific objectives, or ask about the kinds of messages communicated the
rhetorical vision.
 4 –Write the essay

11. Analyzing the
Artifact(s)
Code the artifact for
fantasy themes:
•Sentence-by-sentence,
image-by-image identify
setting, character and
action.
Look for patterns
Construct a rhetorical
vision from the
patterns that appear.
•There may be more than
one.
•Together the visions may
reveal additional patterns of
a larger vision or reality.
The construction of a
world view.

12. Write the
essay
 Include 5 major components:
 1- an introduction in which you
discuss the research question
 2- a description of your artifact
and its context
 3- a description of the fantasy-
theme method
 4- your findings revealing the
fantasy themes and rhetorical
vision
 5- a discussion of the
contribution your analysis
makes to rhetorical theory