Definition
Low fantasy is characterised by being set in the real ("Primary") world, or a rational and familiar fictional world, with the inclusion of magical elements. In contrast, high fantasy is set in an alternative, entirely fictional ("Secondary") world with its own, albeit internally consistent, rules that separate it from the real world. Low fantasy can be described as non-rational events occurring in a rational setting. Kenneth J. Zahorski and Robert H. Boher define low fantasy as "nonrational happenings that are without casuality or rationality because they occur in the rational world where such things are not supposed to occur." "Low" is not an indication of quality but of the relative level of "fantasy" contained within a particular work of fiction.
The effect of the fantastic infringing on real life in low fantasy fiction is usually either humorous or horrific. The horrific aspect of low fantasy comes from the supernatural onslaught against reason which disrupts the ontological security of the world order. The humorous aspect comes from comedic or nonsensical plots that can result from the introduction of fantastic features; the term "comic fantasy" has been suggested for this type of fiction.
In Farah Mendlesohn's taxonomy of fantasy subgenres, low fantasy corresponds mostly with intrusive fantasy with some elements of portal fantasy. Low fantasy is sometimes referred to as magical realism although that term is not always appropriate; "magical realism" is often characterised by strong social criticism.
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