Fantasy versus Reality in Literature

Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), Special Issue on Literature, No. 4, Pp. 212-223, October, 2016

12 Pages Posted: 26 Nov 2016

See all articles by Syed Mikhail Mohamed Roslan

Syed Mikhail Mohamed Roslan

University Sultan Zainal Abidin

Radzuwan Ab Rashid

University Sultan Zainal Abidin

Kamariah Yunus

University Sultan Zainal Abidin

Mohd Nazri Latiff Azmi

University Sultan Zainal Abidin

Date Written: October 20, 2016

Abstract

Through fantasy we are able to group, explain, alter and comment on reality. Fantasy can subtly lure readers into its comforting embrace and speak to the human desire for more than the empirical world of the familiar. With that in mind, this paper aims to critically analyse and discuss how the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred in literature. It is hoped that this systematic review will project our desires which appear in the form of fantasy onto reality. Three research questions were formulated: (1) Can magical realism be the bridge between fantasy and reality in literature? (2) What role does fantasy play in literature? (3) How does fantasy affect its audience? Search items identified 72 articles and books related to this topic. The analysis shows that there are differing views and opinions about the fantasy versus reality debate in literature. The importance of this study is to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality in literature, and in addition to provide insights to the readers on how literature is perceived differently by different people.

Keywords: Blurred Boundary, Fantasy, Literature, Reality, Systematic Review

Suggested Citation

Mohamed Roslan, Syed Mikhail and Ab Rashid, Radzuwan and Yunus, Kamariah and Latiff Azmi, Mohd Nazri, Fantasy versus Reality in Literature (October 20, 2016). Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), Special Issue on Literature, No. 4, Pp. 212-223, October, 2016 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2872977 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2872977

Syed Mikhail Mohamed Roslan (Contact Author)

University Sultan Zainal Abidin ( email )

Kampus Gong Badak
Kuala Terengganu, 20400
Malaysia

Radzuwan Ab Rashid

University Sultan Zainal Abidin ( email )

Kampus Gong Badak
Kuala Terengganu, 20400
Malaysia

Kamariah Yunus

University Sultan Zainal Abidin ( email )

Kampus Gong Badak
Kuala Terengganu, 20400
Malaysia

Mohd Nazri Latiff Azmi

University Sultan Zainal Abidin ( email )

Kampus Gong Badak
Kuala Terengganu, 20400
Malaysia

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