We recognize the world, although now-- not only because we have emerged from a dream--we look on it with new eyes. --Alberto Rios An Introduction to Magical.

We recognize the world, We recognize the world, although now--not only although now--not only because we have emerged because we have emerged from a dream--we look on it from a dream--we look on it with new eyes. with new eyes.

--Alberto --Alberto RiosRios An Introduction An Introduction

to to Magical Magical RealismRealism

What is Magical Realism?What is Magical Realism?

First coined by German art critic

Used to explain art looking at reality in

a new way Later applied to literature

Elements of Magical Elements of Magical RealismRealism

Two conflicting perspectives: Two conflicting perspectives:

-one based on a rational view -one based on a rational view of of reality reality

-the other on the acceptance -the other on the acceptance of the of the supernatural as realitysupernatural as reality

In other words…elements of dreams, fairy tales, or mythology combine with the everyday.

Example: Franza Kafka’s Example: Franza Kafka’s The MetamorphasisThe Metamorphasis

“When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.”

The story is set in an otherwise ordinary world, with familiar historical and/or cultural realities.

Transformation of the Transformation of the common and the everyday common and the everyday into the awesome and the into the awesome and the unrealunreal..

Example: “An Act of Example: “An Act of Vengeance”Vengeance”

-- Isabel -- Isabel AllendeAllende

Dulce’s hatred grows Dulce’s hatred grows for thirty years, for thirty years, until her until her obsession becomes obsession becomes love for Don love for Don Tadeo.Tadeo.

Example: Example: One Hundred Years One Hundred Years of Solitudeof Solitude

– Gabriel Garcia Marquez– Gabriel Garcia Marquez woman who is so woman who is so

beautiful that she is beautiful that she is followed everywhere followed everywhere by a cloud of by a cloud of butterflies butterflies

all of the butterflies all of the butterflies have tattered wings. have tattered wings.

the miraculous, the miraculous, looked at closely, is looked at closely, is mundanemundane

Magic occurs without using Magic occurs without using devices typical to the devices typical to the fantasy genre unless the fantasy genre unless the devices (i.e. ghosts, devices (i.e. ghosts, angels) are employed in a angels) are employed in a context that makes them context that makes them ordinary. ordinary.

Ghosts or angels may exist Ghosts or angels may exist in a magical realist story, in a magical realist story, for instance, but not in a for instance, but not in a way that is surprising or way that is surprising or unusual to the characters unusual to the characters in the book.in the book.

Example: “A Very Old Man Example: “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”with Enormous Wings”

--Gabriel Garcia Marquez--Gabriel Garcia Marquez

an old man with an old man with enormous wings enormous wings appears in a appears in a Colombian Colombian village village

Constructs of time do Constructs of time do

not follow typical not follow typical

Western conventionsWestern conventions. .

For instance, stories may be For instance, stories may be told in spiraling shapes told in spiraling shapes rather than in straight rather than in straight lines.lines.

Contradictions, Contradictions, inconsistencies and inconsistencies and ambiguities color the ambiguities color the point of view, making the point of view, making the reader question what he or reader question what he or she understands about the she understands about the world at large, as well as world at large, as well as what happens inside the what happens inside the story.story. WHAT IS REAL…AND WHAT IS REAL…AND

WHAT IS MAGIC?WHAT IS MAGIC?