The History and Theory of Magical Realism Essay -- Literature Essays L

The History and Theory of supernatural pragmatism Fantasy, supernatural, Supernatural, Sublime, and naturalism are all several genres of literature that may be familiar to some people. However, there may be one that is not as well-known as these sorcerous Realism. Although Magical Realism is mostly common in the Latin American countries, one may wonder where and how Magical Realism got its start. On the other hand, one may simply wonder what some of the characteristics of Magical Realism are. By looking at the history and theory of Magical Realism as well as some of its characteristics and influences, these questions will be answered. Interestingly, the term Magical Realism was first used in 1925 by a German art critic, Franz Roh. In his essay, Magic Realism Post-Expressionism, Roh used the term Magical Realism to actually characterize a style of painting instead of a style of literature (15). However, there are still at least devil different viewpoints as to where and when Magical Realism truly had its start. In Angel Flores essay, Magical Realism in Spanish America, he claims that Magical Realism had its origination in the works of Franz Kafka. Furthermore, Flores thinks that the year 1935 was the year that Magical Realism had its beginning in Latin America because this was the year that Jorge Luis Borges work, A Universal History of Infamy, appeared in Buenos Aires. After the appearance of Borges works, several other writers began to follow his style, giving Magical Realism its rise in popularity in the years of 1940 to 1950 (Flores 113). In his essay Magical Realism in Spanish American Literature Luis Leal disagrees with Flores viewpoint. Leal does not think that Magical Realism had its growth during the 1940 to 195... ...Ed. Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris. Durham, N.C. Duke UP, 1995 125-141. Flores, Angel. Magical Realism in Spanish American Fiction. Magical Realism. Theory, History, Community. Ed. Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. F aris. Durham, N.C. Duke UP, 1995 109-116. Garcia Marquez - Biography. 14 Jan. 2001 <http//www.themodernword.com/gabo/gabo_biography.html.>. Leal, Luis. Magical Realism in Spanish American Literature. Magical Realism. Theory, History, Community. Ed. Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris. Durham, N.C. Duke UP, 1995 119-123. Magical Realism. 8 Jan. 2001 <http//www.iskl.edu.my/Breen_OReilly/Chronicle2/page2.html>. Roh, Franz. Magic Realism Post-Expressionism. Magical Realism. Theory, History, Community. Ed. Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris. Durham, N.C. Duke UP, 1995 15-30.