Juan Jose Arreola 19182001 Juan Jose Arreola Mexican shortstory writer Born September 21 1918 Died December 3 2001 One of 14 children left school at age 8 Writing focuses on fantasy absurdism and magical realism ID: 772897
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Juan Jose Arreola 1918-2001
Juan Jose Arreola Mexican short-story writer Born September 21, 1918; Died December 3, 2001One of 14 children, left school at age 8Writing focuses on fantasy, absurdism and magical realismStyle of “essay-story” linked with BorgesSatirizes modern technology and byproducts
Techniques to watch for: Satire Allegory Magical Realism and absurdism
Baby HP (1952)
Baby HP (1952)
Review: What is Magical Realism?
Magical Realism A category of fiction in which fantastic, unbelievable events take place in a realistic setting. This is NOT fantasy! Fantasy takes place in an unreal world with unreal charactersMagical realism stays grounded in our own reality, fantasy breaks free of it
Magical Realism Characters accept supernatural or unlikely events without much question. To the reader, the amount of realistic detail makes the impossible seem possible. Borges pioneered magical realism, Marquez refined it!
Common Characteristics of Magical Realism Realistic Elements Recognizable characters, dialogue, true to life setting Magical Elements Supernatural or mysterious elements Humor and Exaggeration Hyperboles!! Watch for ‘em
Hyperbole Hyperbole: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Common Characteristics of Magical Realism Distortions of time and identity Characters may change into other characters, lines between living and dead may be blurred Political and social commentary Directly/indirectly address concepts such as racism, tyranny and conformity
Absurdism Occurs because of the clash between human’s striving for order and the world’s answer with meaningless chaos An absurd human recognizes the lack of clear purpose and struggles against the chaos Aware of not only the absurdity of reason but also death For example: fast paced grind of routine The answer? Challenge the absurd, live life to the fullest and become the hero.
Thinking back…. How is absurdism important to Modernism?How does Metamorphosis recognize the absurdity of life?
The Switchman Review some of the anecdotes the old man tells the stranger. How is this story a satire of modern technology? How is this story an allegory for life? What does the suitcase symbolize? The inn that looks like a jail?Taking into account that this story was written many years after the Mexican Revolution, what similar themes do you notice? Where do you notice Magical Realism in this story? Absurdism?