The Ten Thousand Doors of January Background

Portal Fantasy

Set primarily in North America in the early 1900s, Harrow’s novel is a portal fantasy; characters discover passageways to other worlds that exist at the borders of ours. The story is primarily narrated by the teenage January Scaller, with several of the chapters switching narrators to the author of the pseudo-academic text, The Ten Thousand Doors. This-book-within-a-book provides a multiple-narrative structure, and it introduces the concept of Doors (portals or passages): thresholds into other worlds. Historical events and social dynamics frame the magic that bleeds into our world, firmly situating Harrow’s text in the realm of magical realism.

To some extent, the novel can be considered historical fiction; commentary on society, class structures, and events that take place throughout the early 20th century are framed through the vivid evocation of pre-WWI America and the persistent racial tensions following the Civil War. Although some people consider this era to be a period of prosperity and growth, Harrow’s characters paint a very different picture that leaves the reader wondering who determines concepts like “prosperity” and “progress.”

Context

Modernism in the Early 20th Century
In the early 20th century, the concept of the “modern” took hold. Speed, efficiency, and mechanization became paradigms that shaped both society and culture. Sleek products that focused on consistency and the quick assembly of easily reproducible parts influenced the conception of progress. Innovators attempt to make the human more like a machine, stripping away the variable human aspect with something more homogenic.

Imperialism
In the 18th and 19th centuries, nations exerted their control over other peoples, purportedly to introduce “civilization.” Local and traditional ways of life were replaced with homogeneous Western ideals. In the 20th century, imperialism changed as many Americans resisted outright colonization. However, foreign nations still asserted their control; at this historical moment, the justification for foreign involvement was, in part, for the sake of providing the boons of modernity.

Archaeological Societies
Before the mid-20th century, there was no systematic process of studying archaeological sites. Investigations of ancient sites were generally national initiatives that were closely connected to imperialist aims. The formation of cabinets of curiosities—collections of artifacts—were meant to reflect certain cultures or people who seemed particularly exotic or fantastical from the white, male European perspective. Enthusiastic antiquarians and scholars with access to money and education formed archaeological societies. These groups were exclusive, often privileging members who held particular influence and had access to the resources to support archaeological investigations. At this time, discoveries were still unregulated, meaning artifacts could move freely between borders and form extensive collections outside of their local context.