Defamiliarization Through Myth: A Pastiche Reading of The Sword of Summer

Linul Qalbi Ashlihatul Mukarramah; Agung Wiranata Kusuma

doi:10.31294/wanastra.v17i2.11950

Authors

Linul Qalbi Ashlihatul Mukarramah Author
Agung Wiranata Kusuma Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31294/wanastra.v17i2.11950

Keywords:

pastiche, defamiliarization, Norse mythology, Magnus Chase, Rick Riordan

Abstract

This article explores how Rick Riordan applies the literary concept of pastiche and defamiliarization in his novel The Sword of Summer (2015). The study focuses on how elements of Norse mythology are blended with contemporary settings and characters to create a fresh and unfamiliar reading experience. Guided by Viktor Shklovsky’s theory of defamiliarization and Fredric Jameson’s idea of pastiche, the analysis reveals that the protagonist Magnus Chase and supporting character Samirah Al-Abbas are constructed through a fusion of ancient myth and modern identity. The appearance of mythological symbols such as the sword Sumarbrander, the fire giant Surt, and the reinterpretation of Valhalla as a high-tech hotel also represent a deliberate artistic choice that renews readers’ perceptions of traditional myth. Using a qualitative descriptive method, this study concludes that Riordan’s work challenges conventional depictions of heroes and mythology by encouraging readers to see both ancient narratives and present-day realities in unfamiliar ways. In addition to being attractive to modern readers, this combination of nostalgia and innovation can also present a new experience through the technique of literary defamiliarization.

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