This thesis is a study of fantasy literature as a genre of popular contemporary literature; a genre usually considered as low culture, especially within the academic world. Being a fan of this literary genre myself, I try not only to defend it through this paper but also to argue for a general cultural democracy. In my opinion both low culture and high culture belong to the general notion of culture; whether they are liked and preferred by few or by many people, they deserve to be respected.
My aim is to examine fantasy literature from many angles in order to figure out how it makes its appeal and why. To be specific and explain my argument the best way possible, I analyze specific works of fantasy literature as examples. The books I chose to work with are J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Furthermore Science Fiction is briefly discussed in order to look into the differences and similarities between these two genres and clarify the controversial distinction between them. Before proceeding to the main body of the paper, I consider necessary a brief introduction to the blurred and controversial notions of cultural studies and popular culture.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Cultural Studies and Popular Culture
- 1.2 Fantasy Literature and Science Fiction
- 1.3 Fantasy and Children's Literature
- 1.4 The appeal of fantasy
- 2 Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling: Why Harry Potter?
- 2.1 The author, the plot and the main characters
- 2.2 Magic
- 2.3 Society, Politics and Class
- 2.4 Discrimination: Race and Blood
- 2.5 Gender in Harry Potter
- 2.6 There's something about Harry
- 2.7 Language Use in Harry Potter
- 3 Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien: the author, the plot and the characters
- 3.1 On Fairy Stories: Recovery, Escapism, Consolation
- 3.2 The glow of the past: allusions and credibility
- 3.3 Narrative Techniques and Structure
- 3.4 Characters: Heroes and Villains
- 3.5 Themes and Religious perspectives
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to examine fantasy literature as a genre of popular contemporary literature, challenging its often-marginalized status within academia. The author advocates for a cultural democracy, arguing that both "high" and "low" culture deserve respect. The analysis focuses on how fantasy literature achieves its appeal, using J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series as case studies. Science fiction is briefly considered to highlight similarities and differences between the genres.
- The definition and complexities of cultural studies and popular culture
- The appeal and reception of fantasy literature
- The role of the author and reader in interpreting literary works
- The social and political dimensions of fantasy literature
- A comparison of fantasy and science fiction
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the thesis's central argument: that fantasy literature, often dismissed as "low culture," deserves serious academic consideration. It argues for a broader understanding of culture that values both high and lowbrow forms. The chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis by introducing the central works (Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series) and outlining the approach, which includes a discussion of cultural studies and popular culture, and a brief exploration of science fiction for comparative purposes.
1.1 Cultural Studies and Popular Culture: This section delves into the multifaceted nature of cultural studies, highlighting its connection to popular culture. It emphasizes the social and political dimensions of popular culture, exploring Marxist and psychoanalytic perspectives on the role of media and literature in shaping individual identity and societal values. The chapter analyzes the debate surrounding the roles of the author and reader in shaping meaning, referencing critical theories from Barthes, Iser, and Hirsch.
1.2 Fantasy Literature and Science Fiction: This chapter provides a brief overview of fantasy literature and science fiction, exploring their defining characteristics and the often blurred lines between them. It likely sets the stage for later discussions of how the chosen texts exemplify the elements of these genres and addresses any potential misunderstandings or miscategorizations of the chosen texts.
1.3 Fantasy and Children's Literature: This section discusses the intersection of fantasy literature and children's literature, likely addressing the unique aspects of fantasy that appeal to younger readers and how these might differ from adult fantasy. It likely probes the themes, narrative structures, and the role of imagination which are found in both genres.
1.4 The appeal of fantasy: This chapter explores the various factors that contribute to the widespread appeal of fantasy literature. It likely investigates potential reasons for its continued popularity and widespread influence across different demographics and cultural contexts. This could include discussion of escapism, wish fulfillment, exploration of complex themes, and the engaging narratives that fantasy stories often provide.
2 Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling: Why Harry Potter?: This chapter serves as an introduction to the analysis of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. It provides a comprehensive overview of the series, its plot, characters, and themes. The chapter likely sets the stage for the more in-depth discussions in the following subchapters, focusing on different aspects of the series, while synthesizing the overall significance of the series as a piece of popular culture.
3 Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien: the author, the plot and the characters: This chapter introduces the analysis of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. It provides an overview of the work, focusing on Tolkien's background, the plot, and the main characters. This is likely a general introduction to the work, which is expanded upon in later sub-chapters that will focus on specific thematic, stylistic, and narrative aspects of Tolkien's epic tale.
Keywords
Fantasy literature, popular culture, cultural studies, J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, high culture, low culture, genre, reception theory, author, reader, social and political dimensions, science fiction, escapism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a thesis analyzing fantasy literature as a genre of popular contemporary literature. It uses J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series as primary case studies, also briefly touching upon science fiction for comparative purposes. The analysis explores the genre's appeal, its social and political dimensions, and its place within the broader context of cultural studies and the ongoing debate between "high" and "low" culture.
What are the main objectives of the thesis?
The thesis aims to challenge the often-marginalized academic status of fantasy literature. It advocates for a more inclusive view of culture that values both "high" and "low" cultural forms. It seeks to understand how fantasy literature achieves its appeal, explore the social and political dimensions embedded within these texts, and examine the roles of both the author and reader in interpreting literary works. A comparison between fantasy and science fiction is also included.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the definition and complexities of cultural studies and popular culture; the appeal and reception of fantasy literature; the role of authors and readers in literary interpretation; the social and political dimensions of fantasy literature; and a comparative analysis of fantasy and science fiction. Specific themes within the chosen texts (Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter) are examined, including magic, society, politics, class, discrimination, gender, and language use.
Which books are analyzed in detail?
The thesis focuses primarily on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. These works serve as case studies to illustrate the key themes and arguments presented.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into chapters. An introduction establishes the central argument and outlines the methodology. Subsequent chapters delve into specific aspects of cultural studies, fantasy literature, and the chosen case studies. Chapter summaries are included, offering an overview of each chapter's content. A detailed table of contents is also provided.
What theoretical frameworks are used?
The thesis draws upon cultural studies, incorporating Marxist and psychoanalytic perspectives. Reception theory, referencing theorists like Barthes, Iser, and Hirsch, informs the discussion of the author and reader's roles in shaping meaning.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter's content, highlighting the key arguments and analyses. The introduction establishes the central argument for a more inclusive view of culture. Subsequent chapters explore the chosen texts, analyzing their themes, narrative techniques, and social and political implications within the context of cultural studies and literary theory.
What keywords are associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Fantasy literature, popular culture, cultural studies, J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, high culture, low culture, genre, reception theory, author, reader, social and political dimensions, science fiction, escapism.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is a preview intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Magdalini Choleva (Author), 2014, Fantasy Literature as a genre of Popular Culture. Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/311787
