The very notion of magical realism may seem like a contradiction: How can a story be both realistic and magical at the same time? Indeed, this contradiction is what leads to the shocking and surprising effect that magical realism often has on readers. These stories seem be happening in a “normal” world, but then the events take an unexpected direction, often leading to a sense of wonder and mystery but also—sometimes—a sort of confusion.
“The Passage” by Jeff Martin is a story about two teens who go to visit a classmate, Monty, because his father has been in an accident. While their world seems ordinary—even somewhat boring—most readers will be shocked or at least surprised by how the story ends. Use the passages on these slides to consider how well “The Passage” fits the genre of magical realism.
“We took some games along. Life, Monopoly, checkers, things we’d played with Monty in grade school when everybody was still friends.”
What details from this passage make the setting of “The Passage” seem very ordinary?
Monty answered the door. He didn’t look good. He never had but now he looked worse. Terrible acne, and under his shirt was the plastic scoliosis brace that always made it look like he was wearing body armor. He’d worn one for years and had to buy shirts that were too big and made his head look small.”
What character traits make the characters seem ordinary and normal?
“Garrick’s sister was nine and a genius. A few months before she’d given me a spoon she’d bent into a corkscrew. I watched her do it once, one Saturday when I was over and Garrick and I played Risk for three hours at the table. Andi sat with us, a table spoon in front of her, didn’t move or say a thing the whole time, and when we finally stood up, the spoon had a little twist in its handle.”
In what way does Garrick’s sister represent the magical elements that are common in magical realism?
“’What is that?’ I said, and just like that the sound was so loud you had to yell, like tons of water now, a big wall of it racing at us. Jim and Monty’s mom appeared at the top of the rise and I tried to yell to them, but even I couldn’t hear me. I saw Monty running towards them, and I was about to follow when Andi grabbed my sleeve. Inside the noise was suddenly the smell of salt water and fish and warm rocks.
I clutched the blanket like a little kid and looked at Andi. She smiled and her eyes were brighter than the sky. They told me, impossibly, what came next.”
How does this scene contrast with the rest of the story, creating the shocking twist that is common in magical realism?
