The World of Little People in Modern Fantasy Literature

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze modern fantasy literature dealing with tiny characters, fantasy world settings and themes in five modern fantasy books.  The five books chosen for analysis were: Gulliver’s Travels: A Voyage to Lilliput by Jonathan Swift, The Minpins by Roald Dahl, The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall, The Borrowers by Mary Norton, and Horton Hears a Who by Theodor Seuss Geisel. From the study, it was found that the authors c credible tiny fantasy characters to have credible human personalities as in the real world. For the fantasy world setting, the researcher found that the authors reasonably created these fantasy worlds which we cannot find in the real world. The worlds of little people were set in the imaginary worlds full of marvels. For the themes of the study, the research found five main interesting points. First, we learned that the writers of these modern fantasy books put a major emphasis on the existence of other worlds worlds, especially the worlds of little people. Second, we learned that friendship was a major theme in the works of modern fantasy for children. Third, the writers of fantasy books indirectly use ‘good versus evil’ as a didactic theme for the reader. Fourth, most writer paid particular attention to children readers by emphasizing the fact that children want to learn and explore the world by themselves. Finally, these authors portray the ways of life, customs and beliefs in these works of modern fantasy literature. The readers, especially children, have an opportunity to learn about ways of life and customs. They can also use these themes to enhance experiences in their own lives.