Magic+Realism

**“The principle thing is not the creation of imaginary beings or worlds but the discovery of the mysterious relationship between man and his circumstances. In magical realism key events have no logical or psychological explanation.” ** **- ** Luis Leal First used to describe the work of certain German painters in the 1920s. The subject of these paintings were often outlandish and fantastic with a dream like quality (insert pic) Regained popularity in the 1940s with American painters Gradually the term ‘magic realism’ was applied to writers, especially Latin American authors such as Luis Borges and Gabriel Garcia Marquez **SOME FEATURES OF MAGIC REALISM** **CITATION:** **[]** A Glossary of Literary Terms M. H. Abrams Dictionary of Literary Terns and Literary Theory Penguin Reference
 * MAGIC REALISM HANDOUT**
 * Writing describes ordinary (real) events together with dreamlike events
 * Magical realism differs from pure fantasy primarily because it is set in a normal, modern world with authentic descriptions of humans and society.
 * Involves a willing suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader- agree to accommodate an alternative perspective on reality
 * Influenced by myths and fairy tales, makes reference to the oral tradition
 * Contains a strong element on spirituality, astrology and may be even religion
 * Incorporate time shifts and complicated plots
 * Time is another conspicuous theme, which is frequently displayed as cyclical instead of linear. What happens once is destined to happen again.
 * Consist of elements of surprise and shock
 * Importance of omens, prophecies and instances of divine justice
 * Common themes are: family history, relationships and family life; life, death
 * The setting usually refers to a rather specific historical, geographical and cultural context.
 * The idea of terror overwhelms the possibility of rejuvenation in magical realism. Several prominent authoritarian figures, such as soldiers, police, and sadists all have the power to torture and kill. The reality of revolution, and continual political upheaval in certain parts of the world, also relates to magical realism.
 * Characters rarely, if ever, realize the promise of a better life.
 * Uses literary features such as:
 * Synaethesia: mixing sensations. For example: a ‘hard voice’ (tactile + sound)
 * Symbolism
 * Metaphors and similes
 * Litotes: understatement for emphasis. For e.g. ‘not bad’ which actually means ‘very good’