This module aims to develop the skills required to analyse and contextualise literary prose. The texts to be studied are predominantly Nordic (in English translation), selected from the long and rich tradition of Nordic folk, fairy and fantastic tales, from Medieval ballads to Gothic tales and postmodern short stories, animated and fantasy film. More generally, the module will investigate a variety of narrative components (e.g. narrator, character, genre, theme), and will explore why storytelling has been and continues to be a central human activity, how it has changed over time and how stories reflect changing conceptions of Nordic societies, cultures and identities. The module will introduce students to a broad range of theories and methods in literary studies including narratology, gender studies, print culture and monster studies.