Question

Which of the following is a feature of the passage that most clearly suggests it is a work of Magical Realism?

a. a sense of urgency that foreshadows the strange events that follow
b. a contrast between routine details and a fantastical occurrence
c. a sense of mystery that makes each story event as unexpected as the last
d. a build-up of problems that turns each event into a new obstacle

Answer 1

A passage suggests it's a work of Magical Realism mainly when there's a blend of common details with fantastical events, as seen in Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. García Márquez's life and journalistic experience, along with the cyclical patterns of Latin American history, influenced the narrative style. The theme of Magical Realism continues in the works of later authors, indicating its lasting impact and depth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The feature that most clearly suggests a passage is a work of Magical Realism is b. a contrast between routine details and a fantastical occurrence. This is because Magical Realism is characterized by the insertion of fantastical elements into otherwise realistic and mundane settings. For instance, Gabriel García Márquez's novel One Hundred Years of Solitude is a quintessential example of this genre, where the narrative interweaves the ordinary with the extraordinary, creating a seamless fabric where the magical is treated as part of the everyday experience.

Key influences in García Márquez's life that inspired One Hundred Years of Solitude included his upbringing in the Caribbean region of Colombia, his journalistic experiences, and the political turbulence of Latin America. These elements provided rich material that he wove into his narratives. The narrative of the novel moves in a cyclical pattern, echoing the repetitive history of Latin American societies, and this shape is created through the intergenerations of the Buendía family, whose fortunes and misfortunes mirror those of the continent.

García Márquez's role in the Latin American “boom” contributed to this cyclical narrative style, with other authors like Mario Vargas Llosa and Julio Cortázar also exploring similar themes in their works. Moreover, the juxtaposition of the familiar and the mystical has resonated into later works by authors like Isabel Allende and Salman Rushdie, indicating the lasting influence of Magical Realism as a literary device that taps into deeper truths about humanity and society.