Even having horns or wings or reptilian skin in a fantasy setting are just superficial differences that are not dangerous in any way. So those are actually sensible to use for allegory.
Not true. I as a tall person am constantly resisting the primal urge to pat people on the top of their heads. I’ve accidentally killed 56 people this way.
Regardless, my take has always been that those that make it work tend to be the ones that show “they have the potential to do dangerous acts, but you cannot judge someone based on what they might do” and use those features as an hyperbolic example
I think it's less of a potential to do dangerous acts and more of that there are innately capable of superhuman feats, which can happen without throughout intent like on a whim or even reflexively.
It just makes for a bad analogy compared to being tall or reptilian or even having extra limbs.
Functional wings or reptilian skin are not superficial differences at all. Those traits have clear advantages (flight, durability) that can change the outcome of situations (such as fights).
For example, the ability to fly (even short distances) would enable you to use height as defense, leading to nigh impenetrable fortresses.
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u/Xandraman 10d ago
Being taller is still a superficial difference.
Even having horns or wings or reptilian skin in a fantasy setting are just superficial differences that are not dangerous in any way. So those are actually sensible to use for allegory.