This
post is not so much a collection of exhaustive or even major sources of the modern
fantasy genre but a list of some elementary stuff, which feeds this spectacular
category of fiction. The fantasy genre has risen in popularity in recent times and
it hasn’t showed any signs of losing steam.
1. Epic
Poetry:
A long narrative poem in
elevated style presenting characters of high position in adventures forming an
organic whole through their relation to a central heroic figure and through
their development of episodes important to the history of a nation or race.
(Harmon and Holman)
The
first epic poetry were oral since speech came before writing or so we want to
believe (we weren’t there in the beginning, were we?) And back in the day
poetry was transmitted from person by word of mouth. Therefore, oral poetry can also be epic poetry.
2.
Urban Legend:
This
class is also known as urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend. And is a form of
modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been
believed by their tellers to be true but merely that it is in circulation,
exhibits variation over time, and carries some significance that motivates the
community in preserving and propagating it.
3.
Myth:
According
to Alan Dundes, a myth is a sacred narrative explaining how the world and
humankind assumed their present form, although, in a very broad sense, the
word can refer to any traditional story.
Myths
are usually historical events, which are truly depicted or gilded over with elaborations
and are usually endorsed by the rulers and priests of a culture. Usually, the
narrator believes the tale as true and it’s used as allegory for or personification of
natural phenomena, or as explanation of ritual. Myths communicate religious or
idealized experience, and teach moral lessons.
4.
Fairy Tale:
A fairy tale as a form of short story features characters such
as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants,
witches mermaids, or gnomes, and in several cases, magic.
Unlike legends and epics,
they usually contain trivial references to religion and actual
places, people, and events; they take place ‘once
upon a time’ rather than in actual times.
5.
Superstition:
The belief that one event leads to the cause
of another without any natural process linking the two events through a process
that contradicts natural science.
Superstition
as it relates to folklore is an excessive fear of the gods or unreasonable
religious belief. It also applies to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy and spiritual
beings, particularly the belief that future events can be foretold by specific
unrelated prior events.
6.
Legend:
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are
perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and
to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude.
The
events within a legend is perceived (or better yet, believed) to be possible even though the narrative may
include miracles and outrageous details of the hero’s exploits.
The Brothers Grimm defined
legend as folktale historically grounded.
7.
Folk Art
Folk
art encompasses art
produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring
tradespeople.
Unlike,
fine art, folk art preserves the ideals of a culture and is practical in
purpose for example, it is used to tell a story or communicate
information/instruction. The nature of
folk art is specific to its particular culture.
So,
there you have it, a succinct inventory on the constituents of one of the most
fascinating genres you would read or write.
Keep
your pen bleeding.
Akpan
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