World Lit. II
Prof. Benander
24 January 2011
Marquez: Magical Realism
Originating in Colombia, Gabriel Marquez heavily favors the writing style of magical realism. Throughout his literary works, Marquez seeks to shake individuals from their ordinary way of thinking. He force readers to accept possibilities outside societies limiting view points. While reading several of his short stories, I found Marquez to be rather frustrated with the lack of backbone that individuals had when faced with abnormal circumstances. It is evident to me that Marquez view the majority of individuals as a leaf in the wind. Meaning that people often simply act upon and think whatever society deems appropriate or acceptable. Proof of this I have found in both "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World", and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings."
"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," is a short story in which an angel is found sitting in the mud in the courtyard of house within a small town. The town concludes that because the being didn't fit the type concept or idealist image of an angel, the being could not possible be an angel. This I believe drove Marques crazy; he couldn't understand how narrow minded society had become. Through this short story Marques sought to show that things aren't always as they seem. Blessings come in all different shapes and size, not all blessings will be presented with glamor and beauty.
Similarly, "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World," seeks to show how society holds the beauty and glamor with the utmost importance. I feel that Marques wishes for people to just step back and recognized that is beauty all around; there is no need to idealize someone for something that society has deem beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not in the narrow views of society.
Through these two stories, I see Marques trying desperately trying to shake society out of their perceptions and ideal. Marques is tired of people preceive limitations (weather too much or not enough), their sense of normalcy, and ideals of a closed minded society. In my opinion, I feel that Marques would have people be more open to the possiblities of divine influance. This would then force people to maintain an open mind when faced with abnormal situations and circumstances.
Thanks to magical realism, Marques is able to give his readers a taste of how trapped within society they have become. By used his literary devices and bring faniticy to the real world, reads can understand how Marques wishes for them to remain open to a wide realm of possibilities.
Personally I truly enjoyed Marques' works, his short stories challenged the mind and forced me to uncover the hidden message.
"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," is a short story in which an angel is found sitting in the mud in the courtyard of house within a small town. The town concludes that because the being didn't fit the type concept or idealist image of an angel, the being could not possible be an angel. This I believe drove Marques crazy; he couldn't understand how narrow minded society had become. Through this short story Marques sought to show that things aren't always as they seem. Blessings come in all different shapes and size, not all blessings will be presented with glamor and beauty.
Similarly, "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World," seeks to show how society holds the beauty and glamor with the utmost importance. I feel that Marques wishes for people to just step back and recognized that is beauty all around; there is no need to idealize someone for something that society has deem beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not in the narrow views of society.
Through these two stories, I see Marques trying desperately trying to shake society out of their perceptions and ideal. Marques is tired of people preceive limitations (weather too much or not enough), their sense of normalcy, and ideals of a closed minded society. In my opinion, I feel that Marques would have people be more open to the possiblities of divine influance. This would then force people to maintain an open mind when faced with abnormal situations and circumstances.
Thanks to magical realism, Marques is able to give his readers a taste of how trapped within society they have become. By used his literary devices and bring faniticy to the real world, reads can understand how Marques wishes for them to remain open to a wide realm of possibilities.
Personally I truly enjoyed Marques' works, his short stories challenged the mind and forced me to uncover the hidden message.
