Satire and Humour in Terry Pratchett's novels

This study attempts to evaluate Terry Pratchett's four novels The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Equal Rites and Small Gods in the light of satire and humour. It comprises of six chapters. Chapter I sets up the background of fantasy literature and in two parts, mythology and the reflections of mythology on culture and literature are analyzed. Chapter II overviews the description and historical development of fantasy literature, satire and humour and attempts to introduce Terry Pratchett as a contemporary fantasy novelist in England, in three parts. In the third chapter, the first Discworld novel The Colour of Magic is evaluated in the light of satire and humour; especially the subversion of stereotypes and clichés in literature are examined. The fourth chapter deals with the second Discworld novel, The Light Fantastic, and the function of satire and humour of Terry Pratchett is examined. The fifth chapter comprises of the evaluation of the third Discworld novel Equal Rites from a feminist point of view. Terry Pratchett focuses on the women characters and criticizes the institutions and societies from a feminist point of view by a humourous way. Small Gods in the sixth chapter is totally different from the first three novels. In this novel the time period and the belief system on Discworld are examined. The function of satirical atmosphere is evaluated on belief systems. All of these four novels are the reflections of Terry Pratchett's satirical and at the same time humorous attitude. The absurdities and the faults of societies are masterfully reflected on the fantastic world, Discworld, of Terry Pratchett. Every different novel deals with a different issue in societies and they make the reader realize the negative sides of the individual and the society, one more time. Key Words: Terry Pratchett, fantasy literature, mythology, satire, humour, feminism.