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Magical Realism and the Details


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
 
 
 
 
 
 

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