Fantastic Literature as The First and The Last Type of Narrative


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Görmez A., Edis Z.

SADAB 5th International Social Research and Behavioral Sciences Symposium , Tbilisi, Georgia, 11 - 12 October 2019, vol.1, no.1, pp.306-341

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume: 1
  • City: Tbilisi
  • Country: Georgia
  • Page Numbers: pp.306-341
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Fantastic literature, also known as fantasy literature, dates back to ancient times. It is not that easy to identify its inception or claim that it has ended. It has survived from the early periods when there was no written literature to the present day. Anthropological findings reveal that almost all the fairy tales that form the basis of the literary culture of pre-literacy are categorized under the fantasy genre and they are similar to each other although they were written in different geographies. These mysterious tales are seen as primitive and childish today, and although they have undergone some changes over time, they have been transferred from generation to generation uninterruptedly. Throughout history, new stories have been added and such stories have survived to the present day. Tales beginning with “once upon a time…”, legends, mythological stories, animal tales known as fables, and fairy tales are the most well-known examples of fantastic literature. This paper argues that not only the above-mentioned ancient types but also such most recent types of narratives as scientific fantasy or science fiction should be regarded as the derivatives of fantastic literature.