The Modern Dragon : Differences Between Dragons of Old and Dragons of Today

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to study the development of fantasy literature dragons. The two dragons chosen to be studied more in depth are Smaug from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Saphira from Christopher Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle. These dragons were chosen, as they represent the opposites, especially concerning their mentality towards humans. In the first part of this thesis, two narrative structures made for dragon narratives are applied to the example texts. Jonathan D. Evans’ model is formed on the basis of traditional dragon-slayer stories, and in this model the dragon is merely an adversary to the hero. Although Bilbo’s journey in The Hobbit is not that of a traditional dragon-slayer, Evans’ model can still be applied to it. In contrast, based on Evans’ model, Brendan Sheridan updated and changed it to fit the modern dragon-riding narratives. In Sheridan’s model, the dragon has evolved from an adversary to a secondary protagonist. This phenomenon can be seen with Saphira as well. The second part of the thesis takes a closer look on different types of dragons. Three main types are identified: the classic, the modern, and the third dragon that has some characteristics from both classic and modern types. The dragon chosen to represent the classic dragon, Smaug, while certainly an individual dragon compared to his predecessors, fits mostly into the mould. The one characteristic that separates him from other classic dragons is his ability to communicate with humans. The modern dragon, contrary to the classic one, can communicate with humans, and most importantly, chooses to use this ability for benevolent purposes. The example chosen to represent this type of dragons, Saphira, chooses to bond with the human Eragon, and aids him in his quest to save their world from a tyrannical king. Both of these dragons, their characteristics as well as their roles in their respective stories are studied more in depth. Finally, this thesis brings forth some reasons for the dragons’ change, describes the situation dragons are facing in today’s world and offers some speculations for the future of dragons in the rapidly changing world. This thesis shows that dragons are no longer the same creatures that first appeared in literature centuries ago. As the attitudes and mentalities in humanity change, dragons have been forced to change with them. Dragons are no longer simply enemies, rather they can be whatever the author wants them to be: villains, companions or even friends. Thus, the thesis concludes that the narrow definition of the classic dragon has broadened to that of the modern dragon.