IST 605: Fantasy Worlds in Literature and Film

Fantasy literature and film transport audiences to imaginative worlds, offering both escapism and reflections on the human condition. This LibGuide explores the rich tapestry of fantasy worlds, tracing their evolution from ancient myths and folklore to contemporary masterpieces. By examining seminal works and critical analyses, students will gain a deeper understanding of the genre's conventions, themes, and cultural significance.

Fantasy narratives often mirror society, reflecting its values, fears, and aspirations. They allow readers and viewers to confront universal questions about good and evil, power and responsibility, and the nature of reality. The immersive worlds created by authors and filmmakers provide a unique space for exploring complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way. From Tolkien's Middle-earth to Le Guin's Earthsea, these stories captivate the imagination and inspire creativity.

This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for studying or creating fantasy narratives, providing essential tools and insights for academic and creative endeavors. It covers key authors, landmark works, critical perspectives, and practical advice on world-building and storytelling techniques. Whether you are a literature major, creative writing student, or film enthusiast, this guide will help you navigate the enchanting realms of fantasy and unlock the full potential of your imagination.

1. Fantasy literature: A genre of fiction that uses magic and other supernatural elements as a primary plot element, theme, or setting. Often set in imaginary worlds where magical creatures and adventures are common (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2006).
2. Fantasy film: A film genre that incorporates magical or supernatural elements that do not exist in the real world, often set in imaginative and otherworldly settings (Oxford reference, 2002).
3. World-building: The process of constructing an imaginary world, often complete with its own geography, history, cultures, and rules, in which the story takes place (Latham, 2014).
4. Mythology: A collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition, that serves to explain the nature of the world and humanity's place in it (Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary, 2020).
5. Folklore: The traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth (Journal of American folklore (Online), 1888).
6. Magic realism: A literary genre in which magical elements are a natural part of an otherwise mundane, realistic environment (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2006).
7. Epic fantasy: A subgenre of fantasy that is characterized by its grand scale, complex world-building, and often the conflict between good and evil (Clute & Grant, 1999).
8. Urban fantasy: A subgenre of fantasy set in a real-world urban environment, incorporating magical or supernatural elements (James & Mendlesohn, 2012).
9. Fairy tales: A type of short story that typically features folkloric fantasy characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarfs, giants, or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments (Grimm et al., 1962).
10. Tolkien studies: The academic study of the works and influence of J.R.R. Tolkien, particularly his Middle-earth legendarium (Journal of Tolkien research, 2014).
11. Mythopoeia: The making of myths or the creating of mythologies, especially in modern literature (Clute & Grant, 1999).
12. High fantasy: A subgenre of fantasy fiction set in an alternative, fictional (secondary) world, rather than the real (primary) world (Clute & Grant, 1999).
13. Dark fantasy: A subgenre of fantasy that incorporates darker and more frightening themes, often blending elements of horror (Clute & Grant, 1999).
14. Fantasy tropes: Commonly recurring themes, motifs, and clichés in fantasy literature and film, such as the hero's journey, magical artifacts, and ancient prophecies (James & Mendlesohn, 2012).
15. Enchanted worlds: Imaginary realms where magic and other supernatural elements are a natural part of the environment, often serving as the primary setting for fantasy stories (Zipes, 2002).