Tarisa Badzlin Amajida, Ikwan Setiawan, Indah Wahyuningsih

Dark Fantasy in Neil Gaiman's Coraline

Introduction

Dark fantasy in neil gaiman's coraline. Explore Neil Gaiman's Coraline as a dark fantasy, analyzing its blend of horror and fantasy formulas. Discover how it culturally reflects and addresses 21st-century technology paranoia.

Abstract

In the early 21st century, technology paranoia, a negative aspect of technological growth, was prevalent, particularly in the United Kingdom. This social problem coincided with an increase in popular culture toward the consumption of fantasy fiction, with the dark fantasy subgenre being revived by Neil Gaiman's Coraline. This study explores Coraline through the lens of John G. Cawelti’s formula theory to reveal the strategies resulting in its significant societal appeal. This study analyzes the novella's intrinsic elements—plot, characters and characterizations, setting, and illustrations—to identify Coraline as a dark fantasy that effectively combines horror and fantasy formulas. The use of dark fantasy aligns with Cawelti's four hypotheses, functioning as a cultural reflection, cultural solution, cultural boundaries, and cultural innovation that addresses technology paranoia.

Review

This study, "Dark Fantasy in Neil Gaiman's Coraline," offers a compelling premise by positioning Neil Gaiman's novella within the socio-cultural context of early 21st-century technology paranoia in the United Kingdom. The abstract effectively highlights the paper's central argument: to explore *Coraline* through John G. Cawelti's formula theory to understand its significant societal appeal and its role in the revival of the dark fantasy subgenre. This approach promises a rich analysis that bridges literary criticism with an examination of popular culture's engagement with contemporary anxieties. The methodology outlined involves an intrinsic analysis of *Coraline*'s plot, characters, setting, and illustrations to firmly identify it as a dark fantasy that deftly combines elements of horror and fantasy. Crucially, the study intends to demonstrate how this classification aligns with Cawelti's four hypotheses—functioning as a cultural reflection, solution, boundaries, and innovation—specifically addressing the issue of technology paranoia. This analytical framework suggests a rigorous and nuanced exploration of how genre fiction can operate as a powerful cultural tool to interpret and respond to societal concerns. Overall, this research promises a valuable contribution to Gaiman scholarship, genre studies, and the broader discussion of literature's role in cultural commentary. The application of Cawelti's formula theory to a work as influential as *Coraline* is a robust choice, offering a structured method for dissecting the text's appeal and its socio-cultural implications. The abstract strongly indicates a well-conceived project poised to offer insightful perspectives on how dark fantasy can articulate and even address prevalent anxieties like technology paranoia, making it a noteworthy addition to the field.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.