In "On Fairy-Stories," J.R.R. Tolkien says that the primary goal of magic is to evoke a sense of wonder and a "Secondary World" that is different from our own. He believes that this is accomplished through the creation of enchantment, escape, recovery, and consolation. The magic found in fairy stories is not seen as a means to an end or a form of power; instead, it serves to create an immersive and fantastical world that engages the reader's imagination. The ultimate purpose of this magic is to provide a temporary respite from the mundane, offering a glimpse of a more meaningful and transcendent reality.
