"THE ROLE OF MYTH AND FOLKLORE IN FANTASY FICTION."

Traditional narratives, cultural patterns, and archetypes have long been a source of inspiration for fantasy fiction, which draws from folklore and mythology. Through an analysis of their cultural implications, narrative functions, and thematic relevance, this dissertation delves into the ways in which mythical and folkloric themes impact the evolution of contemporary fantasy fiction. The research delves into the works of famous fantasy writers including J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and J.K. Rowling using qualitative literary analysis. In addition to providing a framework for stories, the findings show that myth and folklore may be used for cultural preservation, introspection, and symbolic interpretation. Also, modern problems and readers are the focus of fantasy stories that update and reimagine old mythology. The results show that mythical traditions are still important for fantasy stories and for the genre to be popular in many countries.