Forest imaginary and symbolism in contemporary fantasy

Abstract

This article aims to explore, through a thematic, symbolic, and mythocritical approach, the representation of the forest and the prairie in two major works of contemporary fantasy: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and L’Autre by Pierre Bottero. It seeks to demonstrate how the Forbidden Forest and the Pratum Vorax, far from being mere backdrops, embody meaningful initiatory spaces where the hero undergoes profound transformation. These vegetal landscapes, imbued with archaic and ambivalent forces, crystallize key symbolic and identity-related issues. Through this comparative reading, the study highlights nature as a narrative agent and a mirror of the soul within contemporary fantasy literature.