The Elements of Fantasy/Fairy Tales
by Casay C, Sophie M, Lauren K, Matt S, Ben N
Requirements of Fantasy
Fantasy: an untrue story that could not be real. To have fantasy the story must contain one of the following; dragons, unicorns, wizards, animals talking in English, real people in mythical places, etc
Definition of Fantasy Stories
- The faculty or activity of imagining things, esp. things that are impossible or improbable.
- A genre of imaginative fiction involving magic and adventure, esp. in a setting other than the real world.
Locations of Fantasy
Fantasy can take place with real people in mythical worlds, mythical people in mythical worlds, or mythical people in real worlds.
Most authors use adventure as a common plot for fantasy stories, and the characters usually share the common traits of bravery and selflessness.
Fantasy Stories
Real People in Mythical Worlds: The Chronicles of Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time, City of Bones, ect.
Mythical People in Mythical Worlds: The Hobbit, Incarceron, The Lord of the Rings ect.
Mythical people in Real Worlds: Harry Potter, Inkheart A Game of Thrones,
Elements of Fairy Tales
- Fairy Tales usually have the quotes "Once upon a time," "A long, long time ago," and "they lived happily ever after."
- Normally takes place in a castle, forest, or town
- Often times have a good character and a bad character, like Cinderella and her stepsisters
- Commonly have royalty
- Often have magical elements
Examples include: Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, and multiple stories from mythology.
Definition of Fairy Tales
- A children's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands.
A Dance of Pewter
This is a fantasy short-story that our group used as an example. It takes place in a little girl's bedroom. In this story the little figurines she collects come to life and talk to her. This is an example of fantasy because of an excessive use of personification, up to the point in which the figurines can talk and dance. The little girl's mother died and her last gift to her daughter was the little figurines.
Setting: the little girl's bedroom
Plot: foreshadowing hints that the figurines are evil (red eyes) but they are not.
Realistic Events: No this is a fantasy story.
Why is this story an example of fantasy: Excessive personification, magic, communication with the dead, etc