Research and consider:
What is magical realism? How is magical realism different from fantasy? What elements of magical realism can be found in The House of Spirits.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Search This Blog
Pages
Followers
Blog Archive
-
▼
2010
(23)
-
▼
April
(23)
- Esteban and Clara
- Clara
- Politics
- Esteban
- Secondary characters
- Isabelle Allende
- Critical Reviews
- Magical realism
- Epilogue
- The Hour of Truth
- The Terror
- The Conspiracy
- The Awakening
- The Epoch of Decline
- Little Alba
- The Count
- The Brothers
- Revenge
- The Lovers
- The Time of the Spirits
- Clara the Clairvoyant
- The Three Marias
- Rosa the Beautiful
-
▼
April
(23)
Magical realism is, "a type of fiction in which the world appears just as ours in all respects but very extraordinary things happen." Magical realism is different from fantasy because whereas magical realism takes place in a world similar to our own in which extraordinary occurings appear to be normal, fantasy stories do not. Some elements of magical realism that can be found in The House of the Spirits are: Rosa and Alba's algae green hair, on pg 111 when Pedro Garcia cures the plague of ants by showing a few their way out of Tres Marias in a handkerchief, "I'm going to show you the way out, ants, so you get out of here and take the rest of them with you." Also, Clara and the Mora Sisters predictions, the three legged table that they use to contact spirits, and Claras habit of floating around in a chair are all elements of magical realism in this novel.
ReplyDeleteGreat definition.
ReplyDeleteMagical realism is an aesthetic style where magical elements or not so logical scenarios are put into a realistic or normal setting. It applies to The House of the Spirits because this book takes place in a world that could be just like ours, but in that realistic setting extrodinary things happen. Fantasy is something that is completely made up and is more than likely in a setting that is also made up. Fantasy has no realistic qualities and usually is a very far-fetched story line. Some magical realism elements in The House of the Spirits is supernatural elements that Clara believes in. The Mora sisters also add to magical elements. Other elements are Rosa and Alba's green hair and Pedro Garcia's supernatural ways to clear away trouble at Tres Marias.
ReplyDeleteMagical realism is an artistic genre in which magical elements or illogical scenarios appear in an otherwise realistic or even "normal" setting. While in fantasy, the writer tends to create new worlds, writers who use magical realism suggest magic in our world. It is also said that characters in magical realism tend to accept the unbelievable with calm rationality. This reminded me of the incident of Clara's mother's missing head after the accident. Clara "sees" where her mothers head is at, gets in a car to go retrieve it, finds it, sticks it in a box and forgets about it. Also, like Elisabeth said, the green hair that was a shared characteristic of Rosa and Alba.
ReplyDeleteMagical Realism is a style of literature in which not very logical scenarios are put into perspective as normal or just another happening. Magical Realism and Fantasy are different because fantasy is normally completely all made up in a non-existent setting where as Magical realism is happening in our world, a common place. Not in an unrealistic place such as a fantasy world. Some examples of magical realism in "The House Of Spirits" are Clara and the Mora sisters predictions, the green hair of Alba and Rosa, and Clara floating in a chair. Those are just a few of the elements I found in the book, and I found all the magical realism very interesting.
ReplyDeleteMagical realism is a type of literature that uses unlikely instances that are put into a normal or usual surroundings. Fantasy is imagination, or an unreal vision.Fantasy is different from magical realism because it is more like a daydream, there is no real part about it, it is just a vision in our minds. Magical realism has at least some realistic part to it. I did not know what magical realism was before I read this topic, I had never heard of magical realism either. "The House of the Spirits" is full of magical realism. Clara is one of the biggest supporting parts to magical realism in "The House of the Spirits". Clara has many premonitions(p.26) and can move objects with her mind. (p.8)
ReplyDeleteMagical realism is "a style of literature in which fantastic or imaginary and often unsettling images or events are depicted in a sharply detailed, realistic manner". Fantasy on the other hand is based on undiluted imagination. The house of the spirits is full of magical realism. Most of it is the spiritual powers of Clara. Her abilities to move objects, fortell upcoming events, send telepathic messages, and her communication with her family in the afterlife brings us the element of fantasy in this realistic novel. Also attributing to the magical realism are the Mora sisters with the same powers as Clara.
ReplyDeleteA literary genre that I would classify as crazy-cool art is what magic realism is to me. Now for the real meaning, magic realism is a way of writing, or it can be painting, imagery of fantasy in a realistic fashion. The reason why I like it is because it is not fantasy. Fantasy is just an illusion or hallucination. But magic realism takes what seems surreal and making real. Magic realism takes something that may seem impossible and making it possible. In House of the Spirits, Clara IS magic realism. Look at her name: Clara the Clairvoyant. Also throughout the whole work magic realism is illustrated.
ReplyDelete