EXPLORING THE ROOTS OF FANTASY: FOLKLORIC TRADITIONS IN GAIMAN’S AND TOLKIEN’S FICTION
Keywords:
Fantasy fiction, folklore, mythology, J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, The Hobbit, American Gods, cultural identity, mythopoeia, storytelling, modern mythology, hero’s journey, comparative literature, world-building, literary tradition.Abstract
This paper analyzes the integration of folkloric traditions in English fantasy fiction by focusing on two iconic works: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It examines how each author draws from mythological and folkloric sources to build their fictional worlds, define character archetypes, and address cultural and societal themes. The study employs comparative textual analysis and theoretical insights from folklore and fantasy studies. It concludes that Tolkien mythologizes the past to create a unified moral universe, whereas Gaiman uses existing myths to explore fragmentation, identity, and belief in a postmodern world. This comparison highlights the flexible role of folklore in shaping both classical and contemporary fantasy narratives.
References
1. Attebery, Brian. Strategies of Fantasy. Indiana University Press, 1992.
— This book provides foundational theory on fantasy literature and explores how myth and folklore function in the genre.
2. Gaiman, Neil. American Gods. William Morrow, 2001.
— Primary text for analysis; a novel that blends mythology with modern American life.
3. Lindow, John. Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press, 2001.
— A comprehensive guide to Norse myths, helping to trace Tolkien’s folkloric sources.
4. Shippey, Tom. The Road to Middle-earth. Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
— A critical analysis of Tolkien’s language, philology, and mythological influences.
5. Thompson, Stith. The Folktale. University of California Press, 1977.
— An essential folklore studies text used to understand the structural elements in both novels.
6. Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. George Allen & Unwin, 1937.
— Primary text for analysis; Tolkien’s influential fantasy novel rich in traditional folklore and myth.
7. Zipes, Jack. Breaking the Magic Spell: Radical Theories of Folk and Fairy Tales. University Press of Kentucky, 2002.
— A critical work that discusses how folklore is reinterpreted in literature and its cultural impac
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