Fantasy subversion in Shrek 1 and 2

• Main Author: Osorio, Paulo Jose Antonio D.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2006
• Subjects: Shrek (Motion picture) > Juvenile literature; Shrek (Fictitious character) > Fiction; Animated films > History and criticism; Cartoons and comics > History and criticism; Comparative Literature
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/2113
• Institution: De La Salle University

Almost every fictive literary work is considered as a Fantasy. Making a list of fantastic works would result to an endless roll of parchment. Since fantasy is not regulated by reality, it is free to subvert ideas and make contradictions to prevailing laws and norms. As an example of a fantastic work, I chose to work on the animated film Shrek . I will use Rosemary Jackson's theory on Fantasy Subversion to analyze the elements of the film, see what ideas the movie subverts and how it goes about with the subversion. Shrek is considered as a phenomenon in the movie industry because of the mass appeal and worldwide popularity it garnered. A sequel released in 2004 immediately followed the first film, which was released in 2001. This study aims to distinguish the main ideas the film subverts, what makes Shrek different from other fantastic works and fairy tale movies. The film appealed to me because of the difference it has on other fantastic works. The manner in which it subverted and contradicted the prevailing norms is in my opinion unique. Some problems in the world transcend time and place. These problems have been seen as inevitable events, a consequence of humane nature's frailty. Addressing these problems has been done over the ages through different ways. Shrek's subversion is one of the many ways to address issues and problems society has. Thus, my study will examine how effective Shrek's subversiveness was able to relay the contradiction to its viewers.