Magical Realism in House of the Spirits vs. Realism in Madame Bovary

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Recommended: The portrayal of death in literature throughout the years

Through the application of Realism, Gustave Flaubert demonstrates Emma’s detachment of the death of the characters in Madame Bovary, which contrasts to Isabel Allende’s demonstration of Clara’s attachment to the death of the characters in The House of the Spirits by utilizing Magical Realism. In The House of the Spirits, the characters all share a spiritual bond, which leads to emotional and spiritual connections for Clara during the death of the characters. On the contrary, in Madame Bovary, Emma Bovary depicts a realistic and natural character in society which portrays her selfishness, lack of emotions, and overall detachment towards the death of the others. Both of these connections are demonstrated through Realism and Magical Realism.

The author stylistically ascribes negative personality traits prior to the death of a character. These negative characteristics portray the character as corrupt. In the text, Homais furiously mentions, “You[Justin] are on a downward path”(Flaubert 231). The textual evidence indirectly describes the flaws of Emma. The excuse of Justin committing a crime and Emma’s presence “coincidentally” in the text or purposely by Flaubert exemplifies reality. Furthermore, the blind beggar mentions, “Dream of love and of love always,” before the death of Emma (Flaubert 300). In the text, the blind beggar is singing a song, although the song implies traits of Emma. Emma always desires and dreams of love which provides the purpose for the song and demonstrates her not being satisfied with the love Charles provides for her. Additionally, Flaubert mentions, “Charles was suffocating like a youth beneath the vague love influences that filled his aching heart,” (321) which implies that he still loves Emma dearly. Th...

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...onnected due to the fact that ‘I slept badly and dreamt again of Rosa” (Allende 203). The diction of “again” in the text proves that thinking of Rosa occurs multiple times and that her spirit is connected with him. Additionally, Barrabas reappears multiple times, for example: “It was the last, ignominious vestige of faithful Barrabas” (Allende 269). Although Barrabas died many centuries ago, he is encountered with Blanca and Alba. He displays the most spiritual reconnection with the characters through detail more than any of the other characters throughout the novel.

Allende’s House of the Spirits demonstrate emotional connections and remembrances amongst Clara and the characters through the application of Magical Realism which contrasts to Flaubert’s Madame Bovary which demonstrates Emma’s characterization and lack of emotion towards the death of the characters.

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