“they all lived happily ever after. obviously.”: realism and utopia in game of thrones-based alternate universe fairy tale fan fiction

Clicks: 190
ID: 254962
2016
Free PDF
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality Improving Quality
0.0 /100
Combines engagement data with AI-assessed academic quality
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Abstract
Fan fiction alternate universe stories (AUs) that combine Game of Thrones characters and settings with fairy tale elements construct a dialogue between realism and wonder. Realism performs a number of functions in various genres, but becomes a particularly tricky concept to tie down in fantasy. Deployments of realism in “quality TV” series like Game of Thrones often reinforce social stigmatization of feminine genres like the romance, melodrama, and fairy tale. The happily-ever-after ending receives significant feminist criticism partly because it falls within a larger framework of utopian politics and poetics, which are frequently accused of essentialism and authoritarianism. However, because fan fiction cultures place all stories in dialogue with numerous other equally plausible versions, the fairy tale happy ending can serve unexpected purposes. By examining several case studies in fairy tale AU fan fiction based on Game of Thrones characters, situations, and settings, this paper demonstrates the genre’s ability to construct surprising critiques of real social and historical situations through strategic deployment of impossible wishes made manifest through the magic of fan creativity.
Reference Key
kustritz2016humanitiesthey Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors ;Anne Kustritz
Journal international journal of industrial engineering and production research
Year 2016
DOI
10.3390/h5020043
URL
http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/5/2/43
Keywords
fantasy feminism realism television queer theory the humanities fairy tales

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.