Magic of the Out-of-Body Experiences in Contemporary Fantasy: Halyna Pahutiak, Susanna Clarke
Magic of the Out-of-Body Experiences in Contemporary Fantasy: Halyna Pahutiak, Susanna Clarke

Summary/Abstract: This paper focuses on features and role of out-of-body experiences in the universes of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke and Servant from Dobromyl and Urizka Gothic by Halyna Pahutiak. They are an integral part of magic in these works of fantasy, which is derived from national folklore tradition. The key figurative means that establish patterns in describing out-of-body experiences are epithet structures, embodying the qualitative characteristics, and repetition, providing their rhythm and coherence. The descriptions of out-of-body experiences in these novels fall into two major categories: those imbibed with sensory qualitative information and those based on listings of action. In the first case, the verbal form of incantation is strengthened through the abundance of characteristics, which often bear symbolic meaning. Though repetition can be found in both cases, it is more pronounced in the second one, where epithet structures are markedly absent. Here, verbal magic is interwoven with recitals of actions ritualistic in nature.

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