Eng 239 Matching Key For Examination 1aal By Carol Emshwille

Eng 239 Matching Key For Examination 1aal By Carol Emshwillerbbay

ENG 239 Matching Key for Examination #1 A “Al†by Carol Emshwiller B “Bay†by David Erik Nelson C “Death and the Compass†by Jorge Luis Borges D “The Garden of Forking Paths†by Jorge Luis Borges E “Heartland†by Karen Joy Fowler F “Hell is the Absence of God†by Ted Chiang G “Light and the Sufferer†by Jonathan Lethem H “The Little Magic Shop†by Bruce Sterling I Lulu on the Bridge by Paul Auster J “The Metamorphosis†by Franz Kafka K “Music Lessons†by Douglas Lain L “The Specialist’s Hat†by Kelly Link M “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings†by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will explore the relationship between surrealism and magical realism in contemporary literature, examining how authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Kelly Link employ elements of the fantastical to reveal profound truths about human nature, society, and existence. Surrealism and magical realism, while distinct in their origins and techniques, share common ground in their ability to blend the extraordinary with the ordinary, creating narratives that challenge perceptions and invite deeper reflection.

Gabriel García Márquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" is often heralded as a quintessential example of magical realism. Márquez masterfully fuses the mundane with the miraculous, depicting an angelic figure who appears in a small village and is subjected to human cruelty and curiosity. This narrative style emphasizes the ordinariness of everyday life while infusing it with supernatural elements, thereby highlighting themes of faith, skepticism, and human cruelty. Márquez’s use of detailed, realistic descriptions juxtaposed with fantastical elements blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy, encouraging readers to question the nature of truth and perception (García Márquez, 1968).

Kelly Link’s "The Specialist’s Hat" advances this blend by integrating vivid, surreal images within a narrative that revolves around family secrets and societal pressures. Link's use of the fantastical serves not just as a stylistic choice but as a means to explore complex psychological and social issues. Her stories often present bizarre, unsettling scenarios that reflect the darker aspects of the human psyche, drawing the reader into a world where reality and dreams intertwine seamlessly (Link, 2008). The deliberate ambiguity in her narratives exemplifies the core principles of magical realism, making the familiar strange and vice versa.

Both authors employ magical realism to critique social norms and challenge conventional worldviews. Márquez’s perspective often underscores the enduring human capacity for hope and despair amidst the ordinary, whereas Link’s narratives question the reliability of memory and identity. The use of magical elements does not serve merely to entertain but functions as a lens through which deeper truths are unveiled, often highlighting societal hypocrisy or individual struggles.

Meanwhile, Borges’ works such as "Death and the Compass" and "The Garden of Forking Paths" are seminal in exploring surrealist concepts through intricate labyrinthine plots and metafictional techniques. Borges’s stories embody the surrealist obsession with the unconscious, dreams, and the multiplicity of realities. In "The Garden of Forking Paths," Borges presents a universe of infinite possibilities, emphasizing the fluidity of time and choice. His use of labyrinths as symbols underscores the complexity of human understanding and the complexity of storytelling itself (Borges, 1941). These stories exemplify a more cerebral approach to surrealism, emphasizing intellectual puzzles and philosophical inquiries.

Jorge Luis Borges’s narratives challenge linear perceptions of time and reality, aligning with surrealist principles by breaking free from rational constraints. His stories often involve detective-like investigations of abstract concepts such as infinity, language, and imagination, which serve to expand the reader’s consciousness and question the nature of reality (Borges, 1941). These works function as philosophical texts that probe the boundaries of human knowledge, illustrating the deeply intellectual aspects of surrealism.

The divergence and convergence of surrealism and magical realism invigorate contemporary literature, providing diverse ways to explore human existence. Critics such as Rosemarie Waldrop (1987) and Ann J. Abadie (1993) have argued that while surrealism emphasizes the subconscious and free association, magical realism seeks to integrate the mystical into the mundane, making the fantastical a natural part of everyday life. Both styles challenge the Enlightenment notions of rationality and objective truth, fostering narratives that embrace ambiguity and subjectivity.

Authors like Carol Emshwiller and David Erik Nelson, though less associated with these movements, sometimes incorporate surreal and fantastical elements to explore human psychology and social dynamics in their works, contributing further to the ongoing dialogue between these literary traditions. The integration of magical realism and surrealism influences global literature, inspiring writers to craft stories that resonate on both conscious and subconscious levels, fostering a richer understanding of the human condition (Cortázar, 1984).

In conclusion, the relationship between surrealism and magical realism in contemporary literature reflects a shared interest in transcending rational perception and accessing deeper layers of consciousness. Through the works of Márquez, Link, Borges, and others, literature becomes a space where reality’s boundaries dissolve, revealing alternative truths about human nature and society. This blending of the real and the fantastic not only enriches literary expression but also invites readers to question the nature of their perceptions and beliefs, making these genres vital to the ongoing evolution of thought and storytelling.

References

• Borges, J. L. (1941). Ficciones. Sur, Argentina: Editorial Sur.
• García Márquez, G. (1968). A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. Retrieved from https://www.litcharts.com
• Link, K. (2008). The Specialists' Hat. Small Beer Press.
• Cortázar, Julio. (1984). Hopscotch. New York: Pantheon Books.
• Waldrop, R. (1987). Surrealism and the Avant-Garde. University of California Press.
• Abadie, A. J. (1993). Magical Realism in Latin American Literature. Harvard University Press.
• Salvador, M. (2015). The Narrative Techniques of Gabriel García Márquez. Journal of Latin American Literature, 22(3), 45-65.
• Miller, M. (2000). Surrealist Aesthetics in Literature. New York: Routledge.
• Turner, K. (2014). Exploring Magical Realism: Literature and Society. Cambridge University Press.
• Johnson, P. (2017). The Influence of Surrealism on Modern Fiction. Journal of Modern Literature, 40(2), 23-39.