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โครงการรวบรวมและจัดทําเอกสารวารสารอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์
วารสารมนุษยศาสตร์ ปีที่ 21 ฉบับที่ 1 (มกราคม-มิถุนายน 2557) 203
Uncanny fantasy is a kind of fantasy in which all supernatural
events happening in the story are connected to the laws of reality in some
extent. Those supernatural phenomena are varied; for example, dreams, the
state of being semi-conscious, illusions of the senses, madness, etc.
Common Themes of Fantasy Literature
Commonly, fantasy literature is concerned with universal value,
supernatural, superpower, and imaginative phenomena, and magic (Hume,
1984; Todorov, 1970 cited in Scholes, 1975; Davies, 2007). In addition, Frye
(1963 cited in Hume, 1984) explains that fantasy literature also includes the
themes of romance, myth, and irony classified by the characteristics of its
hero. The explanations of these common fantasy features are presented
below except for the description of magic, myth (by hero), and irony (by hero)
because the findings did not reveal substantial use of the devices.
1. Universal value refers to the concept in any value, attitude and
feelings that is generally perceived among human fellows. The universal
value can be perceived in multiple aspects such as society, morality,
profession, and aesthetics. In fantasy literature, the values of morality, love
relationships and human behavior are commonly constructed in the plots.
2. Supernatural theme refers to the extraordinary phenomenon
beyond nature in any aspect of one’s prior belief, knowledge, and experience,
etc. (Hume, 1986) such as the supernatural events related to human experience,
social context, religious beliefs, and so on. Particularly in fantasy literature, a
supernatural event is commonly portrayed, and it has become the purest
element of fantasy story (Todorov, 1970 cited in Scholes, 1975).