Once upon a time in a fantasy : a study of fairytale elements in fantasy

Abstract

This thesis has looked at the different fairy tales elements in fantasy literature, by analyzing the main characters in the following books, Coraline, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and The Amber Spyglass. These books were chosen because they are written within the same time period, from 1997-2002. They were the books used for my close reading. As for the secondary literature, Propp has been used through out the thesis. Bettelheim has been an important source as well. Other central works have been by those few who have made the connection between fairy tales and the fantasy books used in this thesis. The first chapters are an introduction of the thesis and background information about the fantasy genre and its history. Then a literary review of the primary literature and the secondary literature follows. Next are three main chapters that analyze the three books, one chapter on each book. Finally there is conclusion chapter where the mayor findings are presented. The most significant elements of fairy tales in the books was the narrative, here many of Propp’s functions could be applied in the stories. Though the number varied, Coraline had over half of the functions and the two other had less than half. Also, the step mother motif was the second mayor element found. Individually the books showed that they had taken many other fairy tale elements. The authors had taken many of these elements and fitted them into the secondary world they have created, mixing old with new. The thesis has showed that not only are the fairy tale elements many, but they are an important part of fantasy and contributes to the popularity of the fantasy genre.