The power that magical realism holds over its readers was its intended purpose from the beginning. From cultural to political aspects, magical realism blurs the line between fantasy and reality, creating a world that seems so real, but there are just a few things that are off. Despite its potential, magical realism seems to be misinterpreted, and its real purpose is overlooked. Let’s delve into a brief history of magical realism and take a deeper look at the misinterpretations of the genre.
What Is Magical Realism?
Magical realism is a concept often used in literature that weaves fantastical or supernatural details into the real world we know today. It is used in a way that the characters find it mundane, or even ignore the magical elements as the story goes on. Although it peaked in the mid-1900s, magical realism was coined before that, and used in art years before. However, it gained its prominence through certain cultures. It has deep roots in Latin-American history as ghost stories and mystical folklore became a key part of their culture.
Magical realism is used by these cultures to represent their way of life, to show readers what they might not understand through the fantastical and supernatural. Authors who incorporate magical realism often use it to force readers to look at issues in the world differently. Including fantastical elements forces the readers to look into the “impossible” and question different perspectives and possibilities.
Misinterpretation in Western Literature
Western culture is a mix of multiple cultures, a melting pot. Due to this, the interpretations of supernatural and fantastical elements differ extremely. Still, it is a consensus that those aspects are most likely not real and are just fictional stories. However, that is not the case with other cultures, especially within Latin-American culture. Latin-American culture has magical aspects woven into its everyday lives. This alone can impact how magical realism is used in Western literature and how its power is being overlooked.
Western literature has the habit of using magical realism to slip in mundane magical elements, to further their audience, or make the world just that much more fun to read. Due to Western beliefs, magical realism tends to be held back. It is seen more as a fantasy and something that could never happen. Something that adds to the lovely escape that reading gives us. However, that is not what magical realism is for. Magical realism is for the deeper questions and the culture. Magical realism holds the power to tell stories to show the readers a life and culture that is real, facing serious problems. That is where it lies.
Misinterpretation in the Publication Industry
The publishing industry is large and tough, and myriad miscommunications can happen when so many people are involved in the publishing process. However, misinterpretations of magical realism in the industry can stifle its power, significantly decreasing its reach to the intended audience.
Magical realism is its own genre; however, it tends to be thrown in with fantasy. If you know anything about fantasy, then you know that its content can range drastically, and its fan base is huge. This can diminish the potential it holds as it is marketed toward a genre that is too broad. Even if the aspects are intertwined with reality, the magic is all that is focused on. This leads to misinterpretation of the story or lesson and the culture that is being shared.
How can magical realism take its power back?
Beliefs are subjective. Whether people agree and believe in the same things or not, they make us human and are a part of what makes up culture. Beliefs are what built up magical realism in the first place. Nonetheless, while ignorance is bliss, awareness is strength. It is important to remember the origins of magical realism. Western beliefs aren’t the same, nor do they have to be, but acknowledging the culture that is shared gives magical realism its power. Empathizing with the political distress and the alternative possibilities gives it power.
With deep roots in strong culture and perspectives of the political aspect of the world, magical realism’s power is unstoppable. Magical realism holds its power within the readers, but misinterpretations will always happen. Even though there is weakness, magical realism’s power will grow as the world grows.
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