Selling the nation

The commodification of monstrous, mythical and fantastical creatures

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21722697
AutoresL J Philip (0000-0002-4788-2798, University of Aberdeen, autor de correspondencia)
Año2024
Volumen140
Número3-4
Páginas474-489
Fecha de publicación2024-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaScottish Geographical Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1470-2541 • E-ISSN: 1751-665X
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14702541.2024.2363780
OpenAlexW4399592561
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas29

This paper addresses a lacuna in animal geographies, extending the limits of this area of scholarship to include considerations of inanimate nonhuman animals. Drawing upon insights from animal geographies and interdisciplinary monster studies, a case is made that, in having effect and impact, monstrous, mythical and fantastical creatures exert agency which can be harnessed to support the creation and commodification of tangible assets. The Scottish tourism industry has commodified legendary creatures that feature prominently in folklore, tradition and cultural heritage. The Loch Ness Monster, kelpies and unicorns are used to support three facets of contemporary heritage tourism, namely (i) Scotland the theme park, (ii) post-industrial commodification and economic regeneration and (iii) a search for the authentic, or subversive nationalism. There is potential for further studies to elucidate how monstrous, mythical and fantastical creatures are intertwined with how people understand and engage with the world that they live in

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · Commodification · Creatures · Economy · Environmental ethics · Folklore · Literature · Monster · Social science · Sociology · Tourism · Anthropology · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Geographies of human-animal interactions · History · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Philosophy