Introduction
Magical realism is a literary genre that has become increasingly popular recently. It combines the realistic elements of the everyday world with fantastical and supernatural elements, blurring the line between the two (“Magic Realism | Definition, Authors, and Facts“). It is a common theme in several short stories, such as Ray Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder” and W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.” This essay will examine the legitimacy of magical realism as a form of fiction and explore what sets it apart from other types of fiction, using the referenced short stories as examples.
Magical Realism as a Legitimate Form of Fiction
Magical realism may enable authors to develop original and fascinating stories that engulf readers in a fantastical realm. Magical realism is different from other fiction subgenres because it mixes mythical or magical aspects into a setting that is somehow realistic (Schofield et al. 14). This mix of magical elements, as stated by Schofield et al., gives readers a more incredible feeling of surprise and interest.
For example, Bradbury’s author of “A Sound of Thunder” employs time travel to examine how actions have repercussions (14). The short story’s plot is about a gang of hunters who go into the past in search of a dinosaur. However, when one of them deviates from the predetermined route, he affects the normal flow of history, causing a butterfly effect that transforms the present. Time travel allowed the author to explore the consequences of choices that people make and the vulnerability of the society that they live in.
Similarly, in “The Monkey’s Paw,” the author uses the supernatural aspect of the monkey’s paw to explore the themes of greed and the consequences of people’s aspirations. The narrative centers on a family given a monkey’s paw, which allows it to grant wishes (Jacobs). However, the family realizes that their desires have a cost because every wish they make comes with a terrible consequence. Using the fantastical element of the monkey’s paw, the author examines the human condition and the risks that come with unstrained desires.
Difference Between Magical Realism and Other Forms of Fiction
Magical realism differs from other forms of fiction because of its ability to merge the ordinary with the extraordinary. Magical realism portrays fantastical components as ordinary occurrences, and the characters accept them as such (Rajabi et al. 2). Doing so helps to give the audience a feeling of uncertainty and wonder while blurring the line between truth and fiction.
Unlike other types of literature, magical realism is not concerned with creating a linear cause-and-effect story. This is because it focuses on building a world that is both magical and real, enabling readers to explore complicated concepts and ideas engagingly and distinctively (Rajabi et al. 2). Authors who employ magical realism in their work often incorporate supernatural elements to express abstract notions and ideas such as love, death, and identity.
In “A Sound of Thunder,” the butterfly represents the ability of little acts to have significant repercussions. In contrast, in “The Monkey’s Paw,” the wishes have unforeseen repercussions, emphasizing the perils of playing with supernatural powers. Symbolism and metaphor in both stories allow magical realism to address complex topics and situations creatively and effectively.
Conclusion
This essay discusses magical realism as a legitimate form of fiction and what makes it different from other forms of fiction by referring to two short stories, “A Sound of Thunder” and “The Monkey’s Paw.” Magical realism is a legitimate form of fiction because it allows authors to come up with unique and fascinating stories that draw readers into a fantastical setting. However, its capacity to blend the commonplace with the extraordinary sets it apart from other genres of fiction.
Works Cited
“Magic Realism | Definition, Authors, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Web.
Jacobs, W.W. “The Monkey’s Paw.” American Literature, 2022. Web.
Bradbury, Ray. “A Sound of Thunder.” Web.
Schofield, Tom, et al. “Magical Realist Design.” Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference, 2020, pp. 1–14.
Rajabi, Ayyub, et al. “Magical Realism: The Magic of Realism.” Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, vol. 12, no. 2, 2020.