Magical Realism

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Magical realism

Magic realism or magical realism is a style of literary fiction and art. It paints
a realistic view of the world while also adding magical elements, often blurring the lines
between fantasy and reality.

Magic realism often refers to literature in particular,


with magical or supernatural phenomena presented in an otherwise real-world or
mundane setting, commonly found in novels and dramatic performances.[2]: 1–5 Despite
including certain magic elements, it is generally considered to be a different genre
from fantasy because magical realism uses a substantial amount of realistic detail and
employs magical elements to make a point about reality, while fantasy stories are often
separated from reality. Magical realism is often seen as an amalgamation of real and
magical elements that produces a more inclusive writing form than either literary
realism or fantasy.

Etymology

The term “magischer realismus,” which translates to “magic realism,” was first used
in 1925 by German art critic Franz Roh in his book Nach
Expressionismus: Magischer Realismus (After Expressionism: Magical Realism). He
used the term to describe the “Neue Sachlichkeit,” or New Objectivity, a style of
painting that was popular in Germany at the time that was an alternative to the
romanticism of expressionism.

The genre was growing in popularity in South America when Nach


Expressionismus: Magischer Realismus was translated into Spanish in 1927.
During a stay in Paris, French-Russian Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier was influenced
by magic realism. He further developed Roh’s concept into what he called
“marvelous realism,” a distinction he felt applied to Latin America as a whole.
In 1955, literary critic Angel Flores coined the term “magical realism” (as opposed to
“magic realism”) in English in an essay, stating that it combines elements of magic
realism and marvelous realism. He named Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges the
first magical realist, based on his previously-published collection of short
stories Historia Universal de la Infamia (A Universal History of Infamy).

While Latin American authors made magical realism what it is today, authors had
previously written stories about mundane situations with fantastical elements before
magical realism was a recognized literary genre. For example, Franz Kafka’s The
Metamorphosis—a novel with themes that today’s critics would consider to be
magical realism—was published in 1915, a decade before Roh wrote about magic
realism and well before the genre emerged in Latin American literature.
Characteristics:

Every magical realism novel is different, but there are certain things they all include,
such as:

 Realistic setting. All magical realism novels take place in a setting in this
world that’s familiar to the reader.
 Magical elements. From talking objects to dead characters to telepathy,
every magical realism story has fantastical elements that do not occur in our
world. However, they’re presented as normal within the novel.
 Limited information. Magical realism authors deliberately leave the
magic in their stories unexplained in order to normalize it as much as possible
and reinforce that it is part of everyday life.
 Critique. Authors often use magical realism to offer an implicit critique of
society, most notably politics and the elite. The genre grew in popularity in
parts of the world like Latin America that were economically oppressed and
exploited by Western countries. Magic realist writers used the genre to
express their distaste and critique American Imperialism.
 Unique plot structure. Magical realism does not follow a typical
narrative arc with a clear beginning, middle, and end like other literary genres.
This makes for a more intense reading experience, as the reader does not
know when the plot will advance or when the conflict will take place.
Authors

Although critics and writers debate which authors or works fall within the magical realism genre, the following authors
represent the narrative mode. Within the Latin American world, the most iconic of magical realist writers are Jorge
Luis Borges,[69] Isabel Allende,[70] and Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Márquez, whose novel One Hundred Years of
Solitude was an instant worldwide success. Allende was the first Latin American woman writer recognized outside the
continent. Her best-known novel, The House of the Spirits. Another notable novelist is Laura Esquivel, whose Like
Water for Chocolate tells the story of the domestic life of women living on the margins of their families and society.

1. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (1981). A novel about a boy with


telepathic powers because he was born at midnight the same day India
became an independent country.

4. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987). A novel about a former slave haunted by an


abusive ghost.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (1982). A multi-generational story about a
woman with paranormal powers and a connection to the spirit world.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (1982). A multi-generational story about a
woman with paranormal powers and a connection to the spirit world.

Art and painting


Magical Realism was an interwar style of art that blended stark, crisp
realism with uncanny, dream-like visual effects. Beginning in 1920s
Germany, the style became popular throughout Europe, the United States
and Latin America. Many different works of art were made as a part of the
Magical Realism movement. But there are a small handful that stand out
as some of the most memorable artworks of all time.

Beach of Dangast with Flying Boat Late Visitors to Pompeii


Artist: Albert Carel Willink

1:Into the World There Came a Soul Called Ida 2:New York Movie
Artist: Ivan Albright Artist: Edward Hopper
Tree of Hope
Artist: Frida Kahlo

REALISM
Realism, in the arts, the accurate, detailed, unembellished depiction of nature
or of contemporary life. Realism rejects imaginative idealization in favour of a
close observation of outward appearances. As such, realism in its broad sense
has comprised many artistic currents in different civilizations. In the visual
arts, for example, realism can be found in ancient Hellenistic Greek sculptures
accurately portraying boxers and decrepit old women. The works of such 17th-
century painters as Caravaggio, the Dutch genre painters, the Spanish
painters José de Ribera, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco de Zurbarán, and
the Le Nain brothers in France are realist in approach. The works of the 18th-
century English novelists Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, and Tobias
Smollett may also be called realistic.

Realism was not consciously adopted as an aesthetic program until the mid-
19th century in France, however. Indeed, realism may be viewed as a major
trend in French novels and paintings between 1850 and 1880. One of the first
appearances of the term realism was in the Mercure français du XIXe siècle in
1826, in which the word is used to describe a doctrine based not upon imitating
past artistic achievements but upon the truthful and accurate depiction of the
models that nature and contemporary life offer the artist. The French
proponents of realism were agreed in their rejection of the artificiality of both
the Classicism and Romanticism of the academies and on the necessity for
contemporaneity in an effective work of art. They attempted to portray the
lives, appearances, problems, customs, and mores of the middle and lower
classes, of the unexceptional, the ordinary, the humble, and the unadorned.
Indeed, they conscientiously set themselves to reproducing all the hitherto-
ignored aspects of contemporary life and society—its mental attitudes, physical
settings, and material conditions.
In visual arts, Realist painters like Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, and Honoré
Daumier depicted scenes from everyday life, including rural landscapes, urban settings, and
working-class individuals. They rejected the conventions of academic art, instead opting for
a more direct and honest portrayal of reality.

Realism in visual art aimed to depict scenes and subjects from everyday life with accuracy
and honesty. Here are some of the most famous paintings from the Realism movement
along with brief descriptions:

1. "The Stone Breakers" (1849) by Gustave Courbet: This painting is one of Courbet's
most famous works and is a quintessential example of Realism. It depicts two laborers, one
old and one young, breaking stones to build a road. Courbet portrays the harshness and toil
of manual labor without idealizing or romanticizing the scene. The figures are shown in a
somber, realistic manner, emphasizing the dignity of their work while also highlighting the
hardships of their lives.

1.
2. "The Gleaners" (1857) by Jean-François Millet: Millet's painting depicts three peasant
women stooping to gather leftover grain after the harvest. The painting captures the dignity
of their labor while also addressing themes of poverty and social inequality. Millet's use of
chiaroscuro and his attention to detail lend a sense of realism to the scene, emphasizing the
physical toll of agricultural work and the resilience of the women depicted

1. .
3. "Third-Class Carriage" (1862-1864) by Honoré Daumier: This painting by Daumier
portrays a group of passengers traveling in the crowded third-class carriage of a train.
Daumier's composition emphasizes the cramped conditions and the diversity of the
passengers, including men, women, and children from different social backgrounds. The
painting serves as a commentary on the realities of urban life and the social divisions of
19th-century France.

1.
4. "The Artist's Studio" (1855) by Gustave Courbet: Another notable work by Courbet,
this painting is a self-portrait of the artist surrounded by various figures representing
different aspects of society, from the wealthy to the working class. Courbet positioned
himself at the center of the composition, asserting the importance of the artist as an
observer and commentator on contemporary life. The painting challenges traditional notions
of art and the role of the artist in society.

1.

These paintings, among others, exemplify the Realist approach to visual art, which sought to
capture the realities of everyday life with sincerity and depth, often addressing social and
political themes with a keen eye for detail and empathy for the human experience.

Literary realism is a literary movement that represents reality by portraying


mundane, everyday experiences as they are in real life. It depicts familiar people,
places, and stories, primarily about the middle and lower classes of society. Literary
realism seeks to tell a story as truthfully as possible instead of dramatizing or
romanticizing it.
In literature, Realist writers such as Gustave Flaubert, Honoré de Balzac, and Emile Zola
sought to depict contemporary society with accuracy, often addressing social issues like
poverty, industrialization, and class disparities. They emphasized detailed observation,
psychological complexity, and avoided idealized characters or overly dramatic plots.

1. Detailed observation of everyday life: Realist literature often focuses on the mundane
aspects of daily existence, portraying ordinary people in ordinary situations. Writers pay
close attention to realistic settings, dialogue, and character interactions.
 Example: Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" (1856) is a quintessential realist
novel that explores the life of Emma Bovary, a provincial woman trapped in a
loveless marriage. Flaubert meticulously details Emma's aspirations, disillusionment,
and eventual downfall, painting a vivid portrait of 19th-century French society.
2. Character-driven narratives: Realist literature prioritizes well-developed characters over
sensational plots or romanticized themes. Characters are depicted with psychological depth
and complexity, often reflecting the social and economic realities of their time.
 Example: "Middlemarch" (1871–72) by George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann
Evans) is a realist masterpiece that intricately weaves together the lives of various
characters in a provincial English town. Through its richly drawn characters and
nuanced exploration of social issues, the novel offers a panoramic view of Victorian
society.
3. Social commentary and critique: Realist writers use their works to address social,
political, and economic issues of their time. They shed light on the struggles of ordinary
people, critiquing social injustice, inequality, and hypocrisy.
 Example: "The Grapes of Wrath" (1939) by John Steinbeck is a realist novel set during
the Great Depression, following the Joad family's journey from Oklahoma to California
in search of a better life. Steinbeck exposes the harsh realities of poverty,
exploitation, and displacement faced by migrant workers, offering a powerful critique
of capitalism and the American Dream.
4. Objective narration and authorial detachment: Realist literature often employs a
narrative style characterized by objectivity and detachment, allowing readers to draw their
own conclusions about characters and events.
 Example: "Anna Karenina" (1877) by Leo Tolstoy is a realist novel that explores the
consequences of passion and adultery in 19th-century Russian society. Tolstoy
adopts an omniscient narrative perspective, presenting multiple viewpoints and
moral dilemmas without imposing his own judgments on the characters.
CHARECTERISTICS
Realism, as a broad artistic and literary movement, encompasses various characteristics
that distinguish it from other artistic movements. Here are some key characteristics of
realism:

1. Faithful representation of reality: Realism emphasizes an accurate and truthful


portrayal of the world as it is, without idealization or embellishment. Artists and writers
strive to depict life as it is experienced by ordinary people, focusing on the details of
everyday existence.
2. Attention to detail: Realist works often feature meticulous attention to detail, whether in
the depiction of landscapes, interiors, or human figures. Artists and writers seek to capture
the nuances of the physical world, using precise description and observation to create a
sense of authenticity.
3. Focus on ordinary people and everyday life: Realism often centers on the lives of
ordinary people and the routines of everyday life. Artists and writers depict common
experiences, emotions, and struggles, exploring themes such as work, family, and social
relationships.
4. Empathy and humanism: Realism is characterized by a deep sense of empathy for its
subjects, as well as a commitment to humanism. Artists and writers seek to understand and
illuminate the complexities of human nature, portraying characters with depth, nuance, and
psychological realism.
5. Social and political commentary: Realist works frequently engage with social and
political issues of the time, offering commentary on topics such as poverty, inequality, and
injustice. Artists and writers may critique the existing social order, challenge conventional
norms, or advocate for social reform.
6. Rejection of idealization and romanticism: Realism stands in opposition to idealized or
romanticized portrayals of the world. Artists and writers eschew sentimentality, melodrama,
and artificiality in favor of a more sober and honest representation of reality.
7. Authenticity and honesty: Realism values authenticity and honesty in artistic expression.
Artists and writers strive to convey the truth of human experience, even if it is
uncomfortable or challenging, and to present their subjects with integrity and respect.

These characteristics collectively define realism as a movement that seeks to capture the
complexities of life with fidelity and depth. Whether in literature, visual art, or other forms of
expression, realism continues to influence artists and creators seeking to engage with the
world as it is.

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