Article
FORMULA OF FANTASY FICTION IN THE BFG FILM
Canon: Jurnal Penelitian Bahasa dan Sastra, Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025), hlm. 117–132
Abstrak
This study aims to analyze the fantasy formula in The BFG film. John G. Cawelti's formula theory is used as a tool to analyze the problem, focusing on two points: the convention and invention of the fantasy formula that appeared in the movie. A qualitative descriptive method is applied to gather and analyze the data. The analysis indicated that The BFG film actually can be classified in fantasy genre fiction by combining the convention and invention made in the film. Conventions of fantasy can be traced through the typical (1) hero in the fantasy, who symbolizes struggle, courage, and moral values; (2) hero challenges and dangers faced by the hero; (3) moral mission to uphold goodness and justice; (4) the villain, such as evil giants; (5) favor to the hero; and (6) the triumph of the hero. However, BFG also made some inventions to meet the tastes of the contemporary audiences, namely: (1) the character of the hero from a giant who defies the stereotype of the giant as a villain; and (2) the victory of the hero through peaceful resolution of conflicts that bring positive changes to the human world, BFG, and the evil giants. The results of the study concluded that The BFG film retains the classic formula of fantasy fiction according to Cawelti's theory but also presents innovations that reflect the development of the genre.