Musicians aren’t the only artists who like to experiment with forms and genres. Writers often do the same, writing outside the lines imposed by fiction genres that have been well understood by readers, sometimes for centuries. In fact, this kind of experimentation is one way in which new genres are created. For example, Mary Shelley set out to write a horror story when she penned Frankenstein, but many consider that novel the first example of science fiction.
Magical realism is a fairly recent genre that began as a line-crossing experiment. Its pioneers set out to write mostly realistic stories but wanted to include some magical or supernatural elements that seemed “natural” to them since they had heard about them all their lives. These elements appeared in the folk tales and superstitions passed down through generations within their communities.
The video below explains more about the genre of magical realism and how it emerged. As you watch it, try to think of stories that you have read that might fit into this genre.
Magic doesn’t just mean pulling a rabbit out of a hat or guessing what card your friend drew from the deck. Magic can be incorporated into stories to take the reader to far-off and distant lands.
Magical realism includes reality and dreams working together to form a unique universe. If you combine realistic forms of storytelling with folklore and fantasy, you will get something that would be described as magical realism. Myth and magic are combined with elements of the natural world to create this unique genre.
A common theme in these rich stories is examining life’s possibilities and life’s limitations. Magical realist stories also often use archetypes. Archetypes are universal symbols that are instantly recognizable and bring about unconscious responses. Some common archetypes include the hero, the journey, the quest, the mother and/or father figure, and the wise elder.
One of the most famous magical realist writers was Gabriel García Márquez (Mar-kehhz). In fact, he was the originator of magical realism. He was born into poverty in Colombia in 1928. Listening to stories about his grandfather’s military ventures as well as mysterious fables his grandmother told -- had a profound impact on his writing career. He was also influenced by two very famous American writers, William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway - both of whom he imitated in his early years. But Gabriel García Márquez found fame of his own -- including winning the Nobel Prize in literature in 1982.
The stories we read by Gabriel García Márquez and other magical realist writers include elements of fantasy, myth, and the natural world. These writers contribute to the large variety of genres found in literature. If everyone just wrote about normal people and events that occupy the real world, literature would be pretty boring. Everyone needs a little magic in their life.
Can you think of any popular stories that fit into the genre of magical realism?
Question
According to the video, what two elements from different genres come together in magical realism?
