Magical Realism Seeing reality with wonder and amazement and a bit of magic “These same artists developed a realistic style, portraying everyday life but adding a twist of the bizarre and unusual. Magical Realism painters added dreamlike and fantastical elements to their art, but their subject matter still always remained within the realm of the possible.”

Magical Realism in Literature RULE 1: transformation of the common and the everyday into the awesome and the unreal

Magical Realism in Literature RULE 2 elements of dreams, fairy story, or mythology combine with the everyday

Magical Realism in Literature RULE 3 the frame or surface of the work may be conventionally realistic (everything else seems pretty normal or possible)

Magical Realism in Literature RULE 4 a strong narrative drive

Magical Realism in Literature Often deals with a central idea or question The Function of MR: The exaggerations or mystical/magical things happening reflect a different way of looking at real life Example: A very tall man or giant might show just how odd or unusual someone is considered to be by those around them

A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

The Handsomest Drowned Man In the World

Big Fish