MAGICAL REALISM IN TONI MORRISON'S BELOVED

Authors

  • Manaar Kamil Saeed English Department, Faculty of Languages Kufa University, Iraq
  • Ali Khalid Almukhtar Lecturer, Kufa University, English Department, Faculty of Arts, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejls.v5i1.518

Abstract

Magical realism is a literary technique that establishes a link between the conventional realm of realism in literature and the inclusion of extraordinary aspects inside a work of art. Magical realism endeavors to imbue a literary composition set in a realistic milieu with fantastical, unusual, and otherworldly qualities. On one side, the symbolic aspect of an artistic creation elucidates the intricacies of quotidian existence. Conversely, it employs the use of magic as a means to enhance the authenticity of reality. Numerous authors employ this literary approach to interrogate the nature of the tangible realm, elucidate the anxieties or aspirations of their characters, and scrutinize the historical context of the realistic domain. The literary work authored by Toni Morrison, titled "Beloved," serves as a profound examination of African-American history, the repercussions of trauma, and the lasting consequences of the institution of slavery. The work exhibits a notable feature in the form of magical realism, a literary device that amalgamates parts of the fantastical with realistic portrayals of locations and characters. In the novel Beloved, Morrison adeptly utilizes the literary technique of magical realism to enhance the reader's comprehension of the characters' encounters and to communicate the intricate dynamics between individual and communal recollections. This research aims to explore the significance of magical realism in the novel Beloved, focusing on its role in enhancing the thematic elements and overall impact of the work. Toni Morrison's novel Beloved has been widely regarded as a representation of magic realism in literature. However, there exists a counterargument among certain reviewers who contend that Beloved does not align with the characteristics typically associated with magical realism. The present study centers on the intersection of magic and realism within the context of African-American history, with a particular focus on the theme of trauma stemming from the institution of slavery.

 

Author Biography

  • Manaar Kamil Saeed, English Department, Faculty of Languages Kufa University, Iraq

    I earned a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Kufa in 2010. Subsequently, I pursued a Master's degree in English Literature with a specialization in poetry from the University of al-Qadisiya in 2014. During my academic journey, I gained professional experience by working in various private universities, as well as serving as a faculty member at the University of Kufa's College of Arts. Continuing my academic pursuits, I completed my doctoral studies at Karabuk University in Turkey, obtaining a PhD degree in post-modern English novel in 2023. Presently, I am engaged as a faculty member within the Faculty of Languages, specifically within the English Language Department. This position allows me to contribute my expertise and engage with students in the study of English language and literature.

References

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Cooper, Brenda. Magical Realism in West African Fiction: Seeing with a Third Eye. London: Routledge, 1998. 216.

- Labodociec, Agniescka. "Toni Morrison's Discredited Magic-Magical Realism in Beloved Revisited. "Brno Studies in English, vol 38, no 1. (2012); 1-8.

Roh, Franz. Nach-Expressionismus, Magischer Realismus: Probleme der neuesten Europäischen Malerei. Leipzig: Klinkhardt & Biermann, 1925.

- Seaman, Dr. "Magical Realism as Postcolonial Device in Toni Morrison's Beloved'. Art, Vol 3. (1991); 1-3.

Standish, Peter, ed. Dictionary of Twentieth Century Culture: Hispanic Culture of South America. Detroit: Gale, 1995. 156-157.

Walter, Roland: "Pan-American (Re)Visions: Magical Realism and Amerindian Cultures in Susan Power's The Grass Dancer, Gioconda Belli's La Mujer Habitada, Linda Hogan's Power, and Mario Vargas Llosa's El Hablador." In: American Studies International. Vol. XXXVII, No. 3, October 1999. 4.

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Published

2024-04-18

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Articles

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