Suspension of Disbelief and Audience Immersion in “Game of Thrones”: A Brief Conceptual Framework
Suspension of Disbelief and Audience Immersion in “Game of Thrones”: A Brief Conceptual Framework
Author(s): Bettina EneSubject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, American Literature
Published by: Editura Universitaria Craiova
Keywords: suspension of disbelief; audience immersion; fictional narratives; Game of Thrones; emotional engagement; cognitive response to fiction;
Summary/Abstract: This article explores the concept of suspension of disbelief (SOD) as a key mechanism in audience immersion within fictional narratives, using A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation Game of Thrones as primary examples. Drawing on cognitive and emotional theories, the paper examines how audiences engage with characters and events they know to be fictional, yet respond to them with genuine emotion. The analysis highlights the paradox of belief and disbelief in fiction reception, offering a theoretical framework for understanding narrative engagement and illustrating how SOD enables meaningful emotional and cognitive involvement in imagined worlds.
Journal: Annals of the University of Craiova, Series: Philology, English
- Issue Year: XXVI/2025
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 5-12
- Page Count: 8
- Language: English
