Realismo magico

Magical Realism is a style in literature writing that has gained particular prominence in Latin America over recent decades. It is particularly notable in the works of writers such as Gabriel García Márquez( of Colombia, Carlos Fuentes( of Mexico, Julio Cortázar( of Argentina and Isabel Allende of Chile[1]. In Latin American literature, Magical Realism has been used to incorporate a differentperspective into otherwise serious literature and as a means of conveying strong social and political statements, having a sense of myth, fantasy and alternative ways of perceiving the world. In this essay, I shall examine the origins of the style in Europe, consider how it was subsequently incorporated into Latin America literature through the use of political, natural and indigenous influences, andexamine its use in the works of both Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende.
First identified as a concept in Visual Arts by Artist Franz Roh in 1925, the term magical realism made its way into the field of Literature Arts through the publication of the book Nach-Expressionismus-Magischer Realismus[2]. The book was translated into Spanish as Realismo Mágico-Post Expressionismo[3] and wasdistributed not only in Spain but also in Latin America elevating the term “Realismo Mágico” to prominence.
Apart from the possible influence of Franz Roh on the style’s origins in Europe in the 1920’s, another important influence of its use in Latin American literature is to be found in the continent’s natural landscape, due to the huge and diverse types of landscapes, the land presentsitself as a stimulating opportunity to explore extravagant and intense perceptions.
Indigenous cultures are another strong influence, because they still exist and also because of their spiritual traditions. Ongoing spiritual traditions require the participant’s active faith in the mysterious, and promote to the writers lots of imagination[4].
Finally, due to the political, social, andeconomic agitation in Latin America during the past centuries, Magical Realism has been a natural vehicle through which to describe the challenges of daily life. The brutality of the Catholic inquisition and Spanish conquistadors, battles to liberate the colonies from European countries, the oppression of indigenous populations, US imperialism, extremes of wealth and poverty, the polarization ofpolitical ideologies in the governments, all this it has been used as inspiration for Latin American writers.

One of the most influential writers in Latin America over the last century has been Gabriel García Márquez.[5] [6] [7] “Isabel viendo llover en el Macondo” and “Un dia de estos” are the narratives used to discuss the use of Magical Realism of this author.
“Macondo”[8] asmentioned in the title[9] is a fictional place created by Garcia Márquez, where magic comes naturally, as a simple, everyday occurrence.
The author incorporates Magical Realism into natural phenomena, particularly through “la lluvia”. In the beginning of “Monólogo de Isabel viendo llover en Macondo”, wind and rain are described metaphorically[10] [11] as something dark and negative. The persistenceand excessiveness of the rain creates an imbalance that negatively affects the human beings, animals and the environment[12]. During the first day of rain, people “se siente atontada”. In the second day, human beings begin to lose their sense of time[13]. The third day rain affects Isabel's heart[14] and from that day until the end, human beings can scarcely move, crawling through their existenceas if life had lost its sense.[15] The deluge that brings chaos and disorder is possibly a consequence of the way people have been living[16], therefore condemning that world, to disintegration and death.[17]
“La lluvia” is also present in “Un dia de Estos”. The short story starts: “El lunes amaneció tibio y sin lluvia” but before the end of the first paragraph, Don Aurelio Escobar breaks...