Defamiliarization through myth: A pastiche reading of The Sword of Summer

Mukarramah, Linul Qalbi Ashlihatul and Kusuma, Agung Wiranata ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5400-3472 (2025) Defamiliarization through myth: A pastiche reading of The Sword of Summer. Wanastra: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 17 (2). pp. 76-83. ISSN 2579-3438

Text 26292.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike. Download (283kB)

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. This blend of nostalgia and innovation not only attracts contemporary readers but also delivers a unique aesthetic experience through literary defamiliarization (Jameson, 1992; Shklovsky, 2015).

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Pastiche, Defamiliarization, Norse mythology, Magnus Chase, Rick Riordan.
Subjects:	19 STUDIES IN CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 1901 Art Theory and Criticism > 190104 Visual Cultures 19 STUDIES IN CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 1901 Art Theory and Criticism 19 STUDIES IN CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 1902 Film, Television and Digital Media
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of English Language and Letters
Depositing User:	Agung Wiranata Kusuma
Date Deposited:	30 Dec 2025 13:45

Downloads

Origin of downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item