Genre Spotlight: The Enchanting Allure Of Magical Realism

Introduction

In this new series, we will discuss important movements in literature. Today’s movement is magical realism. Magical realism blends magic and fantasy and brings it to the real world. I have been intrigued by this writing style and movement but never learned much about the history. The blend of fantasy with the contemporary world has interested me. I think it’s because it’s hard for me to get into hard fantasy novels. From healing others, controlling the weather, or casting spells, magical realism is full of enchantment and wonder.

History

Magical realism is a writing style that has been popular with writers from all over the world but is mostly associated with writers from Latin America. Magical realism is a writing style that is grounded in the real world with a dash of fantasy and magic. The term was first used by German art critic Franz Roh in 1925 in his book "Nach Expressionismus: Magischer Realismus" (After Expressionism: Magical Realism). He used it to describe a painting style that was popular in Germany at the time. When his book was translated into Spanish, the genre grew in popularity in South America. In 1955, literary critic Angel Flores coined the term "Magical Realism," which was formerly known as magic realism in an essay. He credited the Argentinian author Jorge Luis Borges as the first magical realist author. Borges’s short collection of stories "Historia Universal de la Infamia" (A Universal History of Infamy) includes many themes associated with the genre. Magical realism is also influenced by Latin American folklore and politics. The author Isabel Allende is known for infusing Chilean myths, politics, and history.

Characteristics and Themes

Magical realism, unlike fantasy, has magical elements, but the setting is in the real world. The magic in the story is seen as an everyday occurrence and does not need to be explained, as opposed to magic in fantasy. In fantasy novels, magic often is part of the main plot. In magical realism, magic is used as a metaphor for a societal or political issue. This is seen in Gabriel García Márquez’s "One Hundred Years of Solitude." The story focuses on the fictional town of Macondo, which deals with colonial influences. It reflects the political instability and the frequent civil wars that Colombia has faced, along with other Latin American countries. Another characteristic of the genre is the blending of time. Most stories in this genre do not follow the traditional storytelling arc of a beginning, middle, and end. They often jump timelines and go back generations. This method of storytelling keeps the readers on edge and can be an intense experience. This fluidity in time also ties into the theme of memory and trauma. This is seen in Toni Morrison’s "Beloved" and "Kafka on the Shore" by Haruki Murakami. "Beloved" explores the generational trauma of slavery in the African American community, while "Kafka on the Shore" explores the idea of running from the past.

Motifs

There are many motifs in this genre, but here are a few that are popular:

- Ghosts and Spirits: These are commonly seen in magical realism and represent unresolved issues usually from a family’s past.

- Mirrors and Reflections: These symbolize the blurring of reality and alternate realities.

- Life and Death: The lines of life and death are often blurred.

Influential Authors and Works

There are many influential magical realism authors, but three main ones are the Latin American writers Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, and Isabel Allende.

Gabriel García Márquez was a Colombian novelist. He is mostly known for writing "Cien años de soledad" ("One Hundred Years of Solitude"), for which he won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982. He was the fourth Latin American to be honored. He is one of the best-known writers in Latin America. He is also known for his short stories and journalism. Although he did study law, he was a journalist before becoming well-known for his novels. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a blend of historical events and fantastical happenings. The characters in the book are driven by greed and power. The book was inspired by Alejo Carpentier, the founder of magical realism.

Jorge Luis Borges was born on August 24, 1899, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was a poet, writer, novelist, and librarian. He came from a middle-class background and had a rich exposure to literature due to his family’s library. He grew up speaking Spanish and English. His literary career started in the 1920s when he wrote poems and essays. His early works were influenced by European literature and philosophy. His most notable works were his short stories. One of his collections of short stories, "Ficciones," features some of his most well-known stories, such as "The Garden of Forking Paths" and "The Library of Babel." His work often has themes of reality and imagination. He also asks philosophical questions about identity, time, and reality. Borges was nominated for a Nobel Prize several times but did not win. However, he did win an International Publishers' Prize. His work has left a lasting impression and helped spread the genre to future generations.

Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru, in 1942. Her father was a Chilean diplomat, and her mother came from a wealthy family in Peru. She spent most of her childhood in Chile, but due to her father’s career, she lived in Lebanon, Europe, and Bolivia. These cultural experiences influenced her work greatly. Her debut novel "The House of Spirits" was influenced by Chilean culture and her family history. Her work often has themes of love and loss that incorporate elements of magical realism. She has won various literary awards, including the Chilean National Prize for Literature. Her work has made a lasting impact and has been translated into over 42 languages.

Global Works

There are many writers who are not Latin American who have made a global impact on the genre. However, the two that I will discuss are Toni Morrison and Salman Rushdie.

Toni Morrison was born on February 18, 1931, in Lorain, Ohio. She came from a working-class African American family, where her parents instilled a deep appreciation for African American culture and history. She excelled academically and graduated from Howard University with a B.A. in English in 1953. She later earned a Master of Arts in English in 1955 at Cornell University. She then began a career in teaching. She taught at several universities, such as Texas Southern University and Howard University. She then became an editor at Random House, where she promoted African American literature and was a mentor to writers. Her debut novel "The Bluest Eye" is about a young black girl who wishes she had blue eyes to become the societal standard of beauty. When it was released, it did not get widespread attention. It did, however, establish her as a writer in American literature. Morrison’s most notable work is "Beloved." The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. The story is centered on a woman who was a former slave and becomes haunted by the ghost of her daughter, Beloved. The novel has themes of loss and trauma and blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Morrison has influenced other writers with different cultural backgrounds to explore the genre. Her works resonate with people not only in the African American community but worldwide.

Salman Rushdie was born on June 19, 1947, in Bombay, India. His father was a businessman, and his mother was a teacher. After attending the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, he studied history at King's College, Cambridge. His first novel, "Grimus," published in 1975, did not receive much attention. His second novel, "Midnight's Children," was a breakthrough in his career. The story takes place in India and captures the transition from British colonialism to independence. In the novel, children who were born the moment India became independent have magical powers. The novel received the Booker Prize. His work has greatly influenced the magical realism genre and provides a diverse perspective on the genre.

Impact on Culture and Society

Magical realism has had a large impact on culture and society that is seen not only in literature but also in other art forms. Many novels in this genre have been adapted, such as the popular novels "Like Water for Chocolate," "The Time Traveler’s Wife," and "The House of Spirits." Magical realism can be seen in animated films such as "Encanto." It has a realistic setting in Colombia, where fantastical elements such as magical powers are seen as a normal occurrence. TV shows such as "Stranger Things" have themes that are popular in the magical realism genre. Magical realism also has influenced theater and visual arts. Artists like Salvador Dalí were greatly influenced by magical realism. The genre has also expanded into video games. The series "Life is Strange" features teenage protagonists who go through common issues that many teens face, such as bullying. These elements are infused with fantastical powers such as telekinesis and time manipulation.

Conclusion

Magical realism is a genre that is here to stay. It is influential globally and shows us the magic in everyday life. Do you enjoy magical realism? What is your favorite literary movement?

Recommendations:

1. The Life Of Pi Yann Martel

2. Like Water for Choclate Laura Esquivel

3. The Time traveler’s wife Audrey Niffenegger

4. Beloved Toni Morrison

5. The House Of Spirits Isabel Allende

6. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

7. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

8. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

Sources:

MasterClass. "What Is Magical Realism?" [https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-magical-realism](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-magical-realism

Writers.com. "What Is Magical Realism in Literature?" [https://writers.com/what-is-magical-realism-in-literature](https://writers.com/what-is-magical-realism-in-literature)

- Britannica. "Gabriel García Márquez." [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez)

- Britannica. "Isabel Allende." [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isabel-Allende](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isabel-Allende)

- Britannica. "Toni Morrison." [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Toni-Morrison](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Toni-Morrison)

- Britannica. "Salman Rushdie." [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Salman-Rushdie](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Salman-Rushdie)