Precious metals

Definition

Precious metals are rare metallic elements that have high economic value and are often used in jewelry, currency, and various industrial applications. These metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum, not only hold intrinsic value due to their scarcity but also play significant roles in the creation of fantastical worlds, often symbolizing wealth, power, or magical properties in sci-fi and fantasy narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In many sci-fi and fantasy stories, precious metals often serve as a form of currency or trade, indicating social status and wealth among characters.
2. Precious metals frequently appear in the lore of fantasy worlds, with unique properties that may grant magical abilities or enhance the power of characters and objects.
3. Gold is commonly associated with gods and royalty across various cultures in literature, symbolizing divinity and supreme authority.
4. The rarity of precious metals in world-building can create conflicts among characters or factions, driving plots centered around quests for these valuable resources.
5. Authors may use the presence of precious metals to explore themes of greed, corruption, and the moral implications of wealth accumulation within their narratives.

Review Questions

• How do precious metals contribute to world-building in sci-fi and fantasy narratives?
  • Precious metals play a crucial role in world-building by establishing economic systems and hierarchies within fictional settings. They often symbolize wealth and power, influencing character motivations and relationships. By embedding these elements into the fabric of the story, authors can create compelling conflicts and quests that engage readers while enhancing the richness of the world.
• Discuss the symbolic significance of gold in literature and how it reflects cultural values within sci-fi and fantasy worlds.
  • Gold often symbolizes divinity, power, and purity across various cultures in literature. In sci-fi and fantasy contexts, it may represent not just material wealth but also moral dilemmas surrounding greed and corruption. The portrayal of gold can reflect societal values by highlighting the tension between the pursuit of wealth and ethical considerations, enriching character arcs and plot development.
• Evaluate the impact of precious metals on character development and thematic exploration in sci-fi and fantasy stories.
  • Precious metals significantly impact character development by influencing their motivations, desires, and moral choices. Characters may be driven by a quest for wealth or power symbolized by these metals, leading to conflicts that reveal deeper themes such as greed, sacrifice, or redemption. Through their interactions with precious metals, authors can explore complex human emotions and societal critiques while shaping memorable character journeys.

Related terms

Alchemy: An ancient practice that sought to transform base metals into precious ones, often associated with the quest for immortality and the philosopher's stone.

Economics of Fantasy Worlds: The study of how economies operate in fictional settings, including the role and value of precious metals as a standard of wealth.

Artifacts: Objects made by humans that hold cultural significance and often include precious metals, serving as important plot devices or symbols in narratives.