THE HISTORICAL FORMATION OF THE FANTASTIC GENRE AND ITS STRUCTURE FROM TZVETAN TODOROV’S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study explores the fantastic genre, emphasizing its role in shaping collective cultural narratives and engaging with supernatural and extraordinary elements throughout human history. Through an analysis of its structural and functional dimensions, the study investigates the mechanisms behind the fantastic genre, which constructs alternative realities distinct from the known world. The work of Tzvetan Todorov, in particular, provides a foundational framework for understanding the fantastic, where the tension between the uncanny and the marvellous creates a sense of hesitation for both the characters and the reader. Todorov's analysis addresses the social function of the fantastic genre, highlighting its ability to transgress societal norms and express repressed emotions through supernatural occurrences. By classifying fantastic works such as pure uncanny, fantastic-uncanny, fantastic-marvellous, and pure marvellous, Todorov provides a nuanced understanding of how the genre challenges conventional reality. In this sense, this paper situates the fantastic genre within a broader literary and cultural context, revealing its evolving nature and ongoing theoretical exploration.