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George Saunders Magic Realism Analysis

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Magic Realism refers to a literary genre in which realistic narrative as well as naturalistic technique are combined with surreal elements of dream or fantasy. Magic Realism is a type of realism using contemporary subjects, often in cool detachment and sometimes injecting an eerie atmosphere. An example of Magic Realism is the short story, Jon. The author, George Saunders, uses Magic Realism to paint a clear picture for his audience, by using symbolism, setting/plot and character to convey the message of the unpleasant consequences of overusing technology as well as one possible way to overcome this problem.
Using the protagonist, Jon, to represent today’s society, Saunders reveals the dark truth as to how technology has taken control of almost …show more content…

He shows us that although our culture is so engrossed in technology and the latest brands and styles, it is still possible to not be addicted and independent on our own forms of Gargadisks; this being our laptops, phones and other electronic devices we use on a daily basis. In the story, emotions and feelings between Jon and Carolyn play a very important part as to what saves them as two individuals and the well being of them as a couple and soon, a family. Love is defined as a feeling or an emotion. Although technology can control our day to day activities and actions we perform, it lacks the ability to control the emotions and feelings we feel. Therefore, love is not an “object” that can be controlled by technology or any other machine. Jon and Carolyn’s love story occurs in an environment that is not considered suitable for love. The bitter sweetness of the story surfaces from the pressure and anticipation of what their love for each other challenges of them and what their consumer culture urges them to do in terms of faithfulness and connections. Due to Jon’s love for Carolyn, he realizes and knows that his fate is tied to hers in one way or another when she leaves for Out. In a world that treats and views everything as an object of control, their love symbolizes a firm, unshakable

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Magical Realism is a literary or artistic genre in which realistic narrative and an acceptance of magic in the real world. Julio Cortazar’s “House Taken Over” is a good example of magical realism, because the house is taken over by something that is unusual and supernatural. “The first few days were painful, since we’d both left so many things in the part that had been taken over” (pg.40). I chose this sentence to show that the thing that took over was really powerful like magic but was being used as dark magic in this story. Therefore, “House Taken Over” is an example because the story used spirits that were powerful and was scaring the people that lived in the house.

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