Worldbuilding in English Fantasy Literature: An Analysis of Description and Narration in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter

Abstract

This research investigates the role of narration in worldbuilding—the creation of imaginary settings—and explores both content and formal features of description-mediated and narration-mediated worldbuilding in selected English fantasy novels. Drawing on worldbuilding studies and narrative theory, the study focuses on Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic (1983) and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998). Data was gathered through qualitative content analysis, the coding frame of which was exclusively developed for this analysis, as well as a research journal, which offered insights from the researcher’s reading responses. Findings reveal common misconceptions about the functions of description and narration in fiction, showing that narration plays a significant role in worldbuilding. Additionally, the consistency of results suggests that worldbuilding features in the novels follow recognizable patterns, potentially reflecting broader tendencies within English fantasy literature