Research Paper on Magical Realism
Suubi N Musisi
Mr. Miller
AP English Lit
3 December 2013
Magical Realism
Magic realism or magical realism is an art form where magic elements are a natural part in an otherwise mundane, realistic environment. (Faris, Wendy B. and Lois Parkinson Zamora, Introduction to Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community, pp. 5) Although it is most commonly used as a literary form, magic realism also applies to film and the visual arts. Professor Matthew Strecher defines magic realism as "what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe. Magical realism is often the vehicle used to introduce a non-Western point of, and begs the question of which mode of reality is considered correct in understanding the world (Arva). Magical realism expands ideas on how we can understand the world and its events. As Arva says, the genre “rejects the notion of one mode of truth, one reality,” and leads to greater cultural expression. In magical realism the writer confronts reality and tries to unravel it, to discover what is mysterious in things, in life, and in human acts. It’s about the discovery of the mysterious relationship between man and his circumstances. Most of the events that occur in magical realism have no logical or psychological explanation, since it doesn’t try to copy the surrounding reality or harm it but seizes the mystery that lives behind things. Magical realism is a blend of magical or fantastical elements with reality.
Literary works that lend themselves to the magical realist form usually have the following characteristics: Have mythical characters with superficial characteristics. Fantastic attributes given to characters in such novels—levitation, flight, telepathy, and telekinesis—are among the means that magic realism adopts in order to encompass the often harsh political realities of the 20th century.
Secondly, magical realists sometimes create spaces or vacuums to illustrate or demonstrate societal
Mr. Miller
AP English Lit
3 December 2013
Magical Realism
Magic realism or magical realism is an art form where magic elements are a natural part in an otherwise mundane, realistic environment. (Faris, Wendy B. and Lois Parkinson Zamora, Introduction to Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community, pp. 5) Although it is most commonly used as a literary form, magic realism also applies to film and the visual arts. Professor Matthew Strecher defines magic realism as "what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe. Magical realism is often the vehicle used to introduce a non-Western point of, and begs the question of which mode of reality is considered correct in understanding the world (Arva). Magical realism expands ideas on how we can understand the world and its events. As Arva says, the genre “rejects the notion of one mode of truth, one reality,” and leads to greater cultural expression. In magical realism the writer confronts reality and tries to unravel it, to discover what is mysterious in things, in life, and in human acts. It’s about the discovery of the mysterious relationship between man and his circumstances. Most of the events that occur in magical realism have no logical or psychological explanation, since it doesn’t try to copy the surrounding reality or harm it but seizes the mystery that lives behind things. Magical realism is a blend of magical or fantastical elements with reality.
Literary works that lend themselves to the magical realist form usually have the following characteristics: Have mythical characters with superficial characteristics. Fantastic attributes given to characters in such novels—levitation, flight, telepathy, and telekinesis—are among the means that magic realism adopts in order to encompass the often harsh political realities of the 20th century.
Secondly, magical realists sometimes create spaces or vacuums to illustrate or demonstrate societal
Cited: Martin, Gray. “Magical Realism.” The Phrase Finder.” Phrases Org UK. n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Mitchell, Philip. “An Introduction to Magical Realism.” Magical Realism. Blogger, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. Zamora, Lois, and Wendy Faris. Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community. Durham: Duke University Press, 1995. Print.