Books Quote by Franz Rottensteiner
““As has already been noted, fantastic literature developed at precisely the moment when genuine belief in the supernatural was on the wane, and when the sources provided by folklore could safely be used as literary material. It is almost a necessity, for the writer as well as for the reader of fantastic literature, that he or she should not believe in the literal truth of the beings and objects described, although the preferred mode of literary expression is a naive realism. Authors of fantastic literature are, with a few exceptions, not out to convert, but to set down a narrative story endowed with the consistency and conviction of inner reality only during the time of the reading: a game, sometimes a highly serious game, with anxiety and fright, horror and terror.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Fantastic in Literature, 1995
Fantastic literature thrives when belief in the supernatural wanes, using folklore as a safe narrative tool while maintaining inner reality.
In simple terms: Stories use folklore when belief drops.
Key Takeaway
Use myth to explore deeper truths.
Themes
fantasy
folklore
belief
reality
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- academic analysis
- genre blending
Key Concepts
mythology
literary theory
naive realism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can fantasy be both entertaining and critical?
- How does folklore shape modern narratives?
A Different Perspective
Readers may still interpret literally.
