Hey guys!
This week’s theme is all about
magical realism!
What is Magical Realism?
Magical Realism is a literary style
that combines realistic, everyday details with pieces of magic and fictional
events, subsequently confusing the reader’s usual distinctions between reality
and fiction.
However, despite the similarities
to works of the imaginations (I.E. Fairy tales or folk legends), the art of
magic realism has no distinguished morals. They hold an image of a bright and
clear world where anything is possible and the dimensions of the world we know
are bent.
Pablo
Neruda uses magical realism often in his poem, “I’m Explaining a Few Things”,
where he talks about the bombing of Madrid. You can see it being exercised in
this sentence:
“Frederico,
do you remember from under the ground my balconies on which the light of June
drowned flowers in your mouth?”
It’s
quite obvious to the reader that flowers weren’t being stuffed in anyone’s
mouth, but the metaphor was used to show the reader how peaceful things were at
the home before being bombed and destroyed.
Magical Realism is a great lesson to teach to students
because it can be seen in all sorts of works. There are many options to teach
it to students to keep them engaged and interested and one is to have them read
Like Water For Chocolate, a book
about a young woman named Tita, who wishes to be with her lover, Pedro, but
cannot be with him because of her mother’s family tradition of the youngest
daughter staying single and taking care of the mother until she passes. Have
them identify the magical realism that is used within the book.
Then, have them write
their own short story using Magical Realism. Instruct them to highlight the
parts where they inserted the Magical Realism and have them share the stories
with classmates, allowing them to discuss the theme and allow further
investigation into it.
Magical Realism is more widely popular in pop culture
than you think. One movie, Amelie
uses it best and in a way that makes a person truly understand Magical Realism.
You could have your students watch the movie in class have them jot down all
the Magical Realism that they see. When the movie is over, have a class
discussion and discuss all the Magical Realism that is identified.
Amélie (2001)
Amélie is a young girl in Paris with her own sense of living. .
She desperately wants to help everyone she comes in contact with. Along the way
of her quest of justice to others, she stumbles upon love.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUECWi5pX7o
And without further ado,
I am off to watch Amélie to look for all the
Magical Realism! Have a blessed day!
Lily
Comments
Post a Comment