History Main / Escapism

This trope applies to fictional characters using escapism in order to escape from their problems and/or not having to face {{real life}}.

* Opposing this trope is pretty much the entire point of ''ParanoiaAgent''.

* The main characters in ''{{Bridge to Terabithia}}'' create a fantasy world in order to escape their hardships at school.

* RudyardKipling's ''Literature/TheThreeDecker'' is a celebration of the escapist three-volume novel.

* ''WesternAnimation/MoralOrel'': [[spoiler: Nurse Bendy's room looks like that of a little girl, full of bright colors and toys. She acts out the role of a mother to a loving family with a teddy bear husband and teddy bear son. She does it to escape from being constantly used, being utterly alone, and having no one who really thinks about her thoughts and feelings and treats her like a real person. However, once she is reunited with her actual son Joe, she throws away her "son" doll, because she finally has a real son who cares about her a lot]]. Very arguably one of the most positive portrayals of anti-escapism in television.

-->-- '''[[JRRTolkien J. R. R. Tolkien]]''', "On Fairy-Stories" lecture, 1939

* ''MoralOrel'': [[spoiler: Nurse Bendy's room looks like that of a little girl, full of bright colors and toys. She acts out the role of a mother to a loving family with a teddy bear husband and teddy bear son. She does it to escape from being constantly used, being utterly alone, and having no one who really thinks about her thoughts and feelings and treats her like a real person. However, once she is reunited with her actual son Joe, she throws away her "son" doll, because she finally has a real son who cares about her a lot]]. Very arguably one of the most positive portrayals of anti-escapism in television.

Escapism is basically a mental diversion or "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}. This trope is TruthInTelevision; common forms of Escapism are {{video game}}s, drugs, Alcohol, {{Fiction}}, [[FarmVille facebook games]], gambling, movies, and [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]].

* In the SilenceOfTheLambs series it is said that Hannibal Lecter occasionally lives in the memory palace he has built in his mind while in prison.

For a RealLife in-depth Analysis of this trope, go to the [[{{Analysis/Escapism}} Analysis page]].

[[quoteright:334:[[NeonGenesisEvangelion http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/escapism2_7185.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:334:[[MindRape She has a good reason to be there playing video games all the time...]]]]

->''I never fully understood [the label of 'escapist'] till my friend Professor [[JRRTolkien Tolkien]] asked me the very simple question, 'What class of men would you expect to be most preoccupied with, and most hostile to, the idea of escape?' and gave the obvious answer: jailers.''
-->-- '''[[CSLewis C. S. Lewis]]''', "On Science Fiction"

Escapism is basically a mental diversion or "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}. Common forms of Escapism are {{video game}}s, drugs, Alcohol, {{Fiction}}, [[FarmVille facebook games]], gambling, movies, [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]], etc., making this trope TruthInTelevision

This trope applies when a fictional character uses escapism in order to escape from their problems and/or not having to face RealLife.

For a RealLife in-depth Analysis of this trope [[{{Analysis/Escapism}} click here]].

[[caption-width-right:334:[[MindRape She has a good reason to be there playing videogames all the time...]]]]

Escapism is basically a mental diversion or "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}. Common forms of Escapism are {{Videogame}}s, drugs, Alcohol, {{Fiction}}, [[FarmVille facebook games]], gambling, movies, [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]], etc., making this trope TruthInTelevision

!Examples:

* [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka]] relies on playing videogames after her MindRape, in order to forget her childhood experiences and her past trauma.
** To a certain extent, striving to be the best pilot is a way of escaping her past too.
* Opposing this trope is pretty much the entire point of ParanoiaAgent.

[[folder:Films]]
* The main characters in BridgeToTerabithia create a fantasy world in order to escape their hardships at school.
* ''{{Sidekicks}}'' is about a sickly and bullied kid who copes by having vivid daydreams - bordering on hallucinations - about teaming up with ChuckNorris.
* Basically the underlying premise behind SuckerPunch.

* In {{Smallville}} it is implied that Clark is just a crazy person that created a fantasy world in order to escape reality.[[spoiler: Subverted by revealing this to be a hallucination by Dr Hudson (a "zoner")]]

* This trope was referenced in PotterPuppetPals [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI7FkF3Z6ms in one of Harry Potter's nightmares]]. He dreamed that he was a {{Muggle}} that created a fantasy world in order to escape the guilt of seeing his wife die. Played [[JustForFun for the lulz]].

* [[InvaderZim Gaz]] is constantly obsessed with videogames. In her world humans are generally stupid, ignorant and repulsive and the world they live in is polluted and unclean. She uses videogames and apathy to [[CrapsackWorld escape her reality]].
* This is referenced in a PhineasAndFerb commercial were Phineas tells the audience to turn off their computers and enjoy life outside
* In the SouthPark episode "Make Love, Not Warcraft" there is a nerd that is depicted as completely obsessed with WorldOfWarcraft and completely out of touch of reality. He is described as having "no life" by the characters.
* In {{Chaotic}} the heroes' best friend is constantly avoiding RealLife through a trading card game. Then this trope is subverted when Chaotic turns out to be real.
* MoralOrel: [[spoiler: Nurse Bendy's room looks like that of a little girl, full of bright colors and toys. She acts out the role of a mother to a loving family with a teddy bear husband and teddy bear son. She does it to escape from being constantly used, being utterly alone, and having no one who really thinks about her thoughts and feelings and treats her like a real person. However, once she is reunited with her actual son Joe, she throws away her "son" doll, because she finally has a real son who cares about her a lot.]] Very arguably one of the most positive portrayals of anti-escapism in television.

* The main characters in BridgeToTerabithia create a fantasy word in order to escape their hardships at school.

* In {{Chaotic}} the heroes’ best friend is constantly avoiding RealLife through a trading card game. Then this trope is subverted when Chaotic turns out to be real.

* In NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka relies on {{escapism}} (playing videogames) after her MindRape, in order to forget her childhood experiences and her past trauma.

* In the BridgeToTerabithia. The main characters create a fantasy word in order to escape their hardships on school.

* In {{Smallville}} it is implied that Clark is just a crazy person that created a fantasy word in order to escape reality.[[spoiler: then it is subverted by revealing this to be a hallucination by Dr Hudson a "zoner"]]

* This trope was reference in Potter puppet pals [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI7FkF3Z6ms in one of Harry Potter's nightmares]]. He dreamed that he was a {{muggle}} that created a fantasy world in order to escape the guilt of seeing his wife die. Played [[JustForFun for the lulz]].

* In InvaderZim Gaz is constantly obsessed with videogames. In her world humans are generally stupid, ignorant and repulsive and the world they live in is polluted and unclean. She uses videogames and apathy to [[CrapsackWorld escape her reality]].
* This is referenced In a PhineasAndFerb commercial were Phineas tells the audience to turn off their computers and enjoy life outside
* In SouthPark episode make love no warcraft. There is a nerd that is depicted as completely obsessed with WorldOfWarcraft and completely out of touch of reality. He is described as having "no life" by the characters.
* In {{chaotic}} The heroes’ best friend is constantly avoiding RealLife through a trading card game. Then this trope is subverted when chaotic turns out to be real.

[[quoteright:334:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/escapism2_7185.jpg]]

* In NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka relies on {{Escapism}} (Playing videogames) after her MindRape, in order to forget her childhood experiences and her past trauma.

[[NeonGenesisEvangelion [[quoteright:334:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/escapism2_7185.jpg]]]]

[[quoteright:334:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/escapism2_7185.jpg]]

Escapism is basically a mental diversion or "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}. Common forms of Escapism are Videogames, drugs, Alcohol, Fiction, [[FarmVille facebook games]], gambling, movies, [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]] etc. Making this trope TruthInTelevision

Escapism is basically a mental diversion an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}. Common forms of Escapism are Videogames, drugs, Alcohol, Fiction, [[FarmVille facebook games]], gambling, movies, [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]] etc. Making this trope TruthInTelevision

[[AC:{{Manga}} and {{Anime}}]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* In {{Smallville}} it is implied that Clark is just a crazy person that created a fantasy word in order to escape reality.[[spoiler: then it is subverted by revealing this to be a hallucination by Dr Hudson a "zoner"]]

[[AC:Films]]

[[AC:WebOriginal]]

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

Escapism is basically a mental diversion an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}. Common forms of Escapism are Videogames, drugs, Alcohol, Fiction, [[FarmVille facebook games]],gambling, movies,[[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]] etc. Making this trope TruthInTelevision

Escapism is basically a mental diversion an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. Everything that makes us escape from RealLife can be considered a form of {{Escapism}}.Common forms of Escapism are Videogames, drugs, Alcohol, Fiction, [[FarmVille facebook games]],gambling, movies,[[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife TvTropes]] etc. Making this trope TruthInTelevision

* This trope was reference in Potter puppet pals. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI7FkF3Z6ms. In one of harry potter nightmares]]. He dreamed that he was a {{muggle}} that created a fantasy word in order to escape the guilt of seeing her wife die. Played [[JustForFun for the lulz]]

* In NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka relies on {{Escapism}} (Playing videogames) after her MindRape. In order to forget her childhood experiences and her past trauma. Made worse by the fact that she was rescued by Relieve her friend was worried about her obsession with games.

[[quoteright:334:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/escapism2_7185.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:334:[[MindRape She has a good reason to be there playing videogames all the time...]]]]

Escapism is a common goal within both fiction and a lot of imaginary activities. At its most basic, it is about vicariously living the life of somebody else as a metaphorical "escape" from one's own. There's almost always some level of WishFulfillment involved, usually offering {{Escapist Character}}s as masks for the audience to imagine themselves wearing.

Something important in escapism is the famous "suspension of disbelief"; not everyone has the same dreams. Some may "escape" with StarWars while some other people could only escape in movies like Titanic, hence the reason some people label one fantasy more "realistic" than other one.

Recently, with society becoming more and more cynical over the years, escapism has been getting a bad rep for being too idealistic and causing problems with people unable to cope with normal life. As such, the word has fallen to the wayside, but the concept still permeates through society. It's worth noting that many popular canons such as ''StarWars'', ''StarTrek'', JamesBond, ''SailorMoon'' and most other hugely successful works have an element of escapism and it is no reason to be ashamed.

While escapism in itself is not bad, extreme cases are harmful simply because the subject is unable to face reality properly, becoming slaves of their fantasies. World of Warcraft is one infamous example of this. While not bad in and of itself, it is important not to lose sight on ones life.

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-->''I never fully understood [the label of 'escapist'] till my friend Professor [[JRRTolkien Tolkien]] asked me the very simple question, 'What class of men would you expect to be most preoccupied with, and most hostile to, the idea of escape?' and gave the obvious answer: jailers.''\\
-- '''[[CSLewis C. S. Lewis]]''', "On Science Fiction"
-->''Why should a man be scorned if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if, when he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls?''\\
-- '''[[JRRTolkien J. R. R. Tolkien]]''', "On Fairy-Stories" lecture, 1939