📙Intro to Contemporary Literature Unit 6 – Magical Realism & Surrealism in Literature

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Magical realism blends elements of the fantastic or mythical with the mundane, presenting them as ordinary aspects of everyday life
• Surrealism aims to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind by juxtaposing irrational or unexpected elements
• Magical realism often incorporates folklore, mythology, and cultural beliefs into the narrative (Latin American folklore)
• Surrealism draws heavily from psychoanalytic theories, particularly those of Sigmund Freud, to explore the subconscious
• Both genres challenge the boundaries between reality and fantasy, questioning the nature of reality itself
• Magical realism often uses a matter-of-fact tone to describe extraordinary events, while surrealism embraces a more dreamlike and irrational approach
• The term "magical realism" was first used by German art critic Franz Roh in 1925 to describe a style of painting

Historical Context and Origins

• Magical realism emerged in Latin America in the early 20th century, particularly in the works of Jorge Luis Borges and Alejo Carpentier
• The genre gained prominence during the Latin American Boom of the 1960s and 1970s, which saw a surge in experimental and innovative literature from the region
• Surrealism originated in Europe in the early 1920s as an artistic and literary movement, founded by French poet André Breton
• The Surrealist Manifesto, written by Breton in 1924, outlined the movement's principles and goals
• Both genres were influenced by the social and political upheavals of the early 20th century, including World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the rise of fascism
• Latin American magical realism often addresses themes of colonialism, political oppression, and cultural identity
• European surrealism was a reaction against the rationalism and realism that dominated Western thought and art in the early 20th century

Characteristics of Magical Realism

• Realistic setting with elements of the fantastic or supernatural presented as ordinary occurrences
• Nonlinear or cyclical narrative structure, often blurring the line between past and present
• Use of myths, folklore, and cultural beliefs to create a sense of ambiguity and mystery
• Critique of social, political, or historical issues through the lens of the magical or extraordinary
• Characters who accept the presence of the magical or supernatural without question or surprise
• Vivid, detailed descriptions that create a heightened sense of reality
• Incorporation of dreams, visions, and altered states of consciousness into the narrative
• Exploration of themes such as identity, time, memory, and the nature of reality

Characteristics of Surrealism

• Juxtaposition of incongruous or irrational elements to create a sense of surprise or disorientation
• Emphasis on the subconscious mind and the role of dreams in shaping reality
• Rejection of traditional narrative structures and logical reasoning in favor of free association and automatism
• Use of absurd or nonsensical imagery and language to challenge conventional perceptions
• Exploration of taboo subjects, such as sexuality, violence, and the grotesque
• Incorporation of Freudian concepts, such as the uncanny and the unconscious, into the narrative
• Experimentation with language, including wordplay, puns, and neologisms
• Critique of bourgeois values and the constraints of rational thought

Notable Authors and Works

• Gabriel García Márquez, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (1967) - a seminal work of magical realism that chronicles the history of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo
• Jorge Luis Borges, "Ficciones" (1944) - a collection of short stories that blend elements of magical realism, fantasy, and metaphysics
• Isabel Allende, "The House of the Spirits" (1982) - a multigenerational family saga that incorporates magical realism to explore themes of love, politics, and social change in Chile
• Salman Rushdie, "Midnight's Children" (1981) - a magical realist novel that parallels the history of India with the life of its protagonist, born at the moment of the country's independence
• André Breton, "Nadja" (1928) - a semi-autobiographical novel that exemplifies the surrealist approach to love, madness, and the city
• Salvador Dalí, "The Persistence of Memory" (1931) - an iconic surrealist painting featuring melting clocks in a dreamlike landscape
• Leonora Carrington, "The Hearing Trumpet" (1974) - a surrealist novel that follows a 92-year-old woman's fantastical adventures in a home for the elderly
• Remedios Varo, "The Juggler" (1956) - a surrealist painting depicting a mysterious figure manipulating cosmic threads in a mystical setting

Literary Techniques and Devices

• Nonlinear narrative structure that disrupts conventional notions of time and causality
• Use of magical or supernatural elements as metaphors for psychological, social, or political realities
• Incorporation of dreams, visions, and altered states of consciousness to blur the boundaries between the real and the imagined
• Intertextuality and allusion to myths, folklore, and other literary works to create a rich tapestry of meaning
• Vivid, sensory-rich descriptions that create a heightened sense of reality or surreality
• Use of irony, paradox, and contradiction to challenge conventional modes of thinking
• Experimentation with language, including wordplay, puns, and neologisms, to create new meanings and associations
• Fragmentation and collage techniques that disrupt linear narrative and create a sense of disorientation or surprise

Themes and Symbolism

• The nature of reality and the blurring of boundaries between the real and the imagined
• The power of the subconscious mind and the role of dreams in shaping our perception of the world
• The search for identity and the exploration of the self in relation to society, history, and culture
• The critique of social, political, and cultural norms and the exposure of the absurdity or oppression underlying everyday life
• The cyclical nature of time and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future
• The transformative power of love, desire, and sexuality, often portrayed in unconventional or transgressive ways
• The use of magical or surreal elements as symbols for psychological states, such as fear, desire, or liberation
• The exploration of the grotesque, the uncanny, and the taboo as a means of confronting the darker aspects of human nature

Impact on Contemporary Literature

• Magical realism and surrealism have had a lasting influence on contemporary literature, inspiring writers across genres and cultures
• The genres have challenged traditional notions of reality and narrative, opening up new possibilities for storytelling and artistic expression
• Contemporary authors such as Haruki Murakami, Toni Morrison, and Junot Díaz have incorporated elements of magical realism and surrealism into their works
• The genres have contributed to the development of postmodern and experimental literature, which often blur the boundaries between genres and challenge conventional forms
• Magical realism has become a global phenomenon, with writers from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East adapting the genre to their own cultural contexts and concerns
• Surrealism has had a lasting impact on the visual arts, influencing movements such as abstract expressionism, pop art, and conceptual art
• The genres have also influenced other media, such as film (Guillermo del Toro), television ("The Twilight Zone"), and video games ("Kentucky Route Zero")
• The enduring appeal of magical realism and surrealism lies in their ability to challenge our perceptions, engage our imaginations, and reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary