Escaping Reality, Discovering the Self: A Study of Fantasy Worlds in Select Works of Literature and Animation
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Date
2026
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ASSISTANT PROF. MS. SAMILLA MAYURA VAZ
Abstract
Fantasy literature and animation provide imaginative spaces where individuals explore identity, emotions, and personal growth beyond the limits of everyday reality. This study examines Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Little Prince, Coraline, and Coco to understand how fantasy functions as a medium of escapism and self-discovery. The protagonists in these works enter fantastical worlds during moments of emotional conflict or alienation, using imagination to confront fears, question norms, and rediscover meaning. Through a comparative and thematic approach, supported by psychoanalytic and literary theories, the study highlights how literature and animation differently present inner journeys. While their forms vary, selected texts and films reveal that fantasy is not an escape from reality but a transformative space that enables self-awareness, healing, and renewed engagement with life.