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Magical realism in fiction essay
Symbolism
Magical realism in fiction essay
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Many stories people read are written for the express purpose of entertainment and sometimes even to persuade, but few are written to teach a moral. The story “A Fable with Slips of White Paper Spilling From The Pockets” written by Kevin Brockmeier does just that. Although relatively short, the story is filled with words of wisdom and life lessons that are meant to instill a sense of selflessness. The story is about a man who finds God’s overcoat from which he finds prayers from the people he encounters. Kevin Brockmeier makes exceptional use of magic realism and symbolism to teach a moral lesson. The use of magical occurrences or fantasy in Brockmeier’s story plays a crucial role in the development of the overall moral lesson in the story. Brockmeier writes that the man magically finds a slip of paper in his pocket with a prayer on it. He writes, “He discovered a prayer that read, Let someone speak to me this time – anyone, anyone at all – or else…” (265). Although this can't actually happen in real life, this element in the story shows that even though someone may experience through...
Originally published in 1902, Connor writes with authority on this subject. Readers of this book receive a glimpse into the lives of historical events, morals, values, and teachings. These moral lessons are woven throughout the entire text and give readers an almost nostalgic view into the lives of the characters. Furthermore, one can see how religion is interwoven into the lives of each of the community members. Throughout this book, examples of times that the religious lesson is similar to the education one (such as respect one's elders) are plentiful. The end result of this book is that readers have a deep appreciation for both Connor's writing style and the daily events that shaped the lives of persons in
In the small, desolate town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, Ethan Frome lives a life of poverty. Not only does he live hopelessly, but “he was a prisoner for life” to the economy (Ammons 2). A young engineer from outside of town narrates the beginning of the story. He develops a curiosity towards Ethan Frome and the smash-up that he hears about in bits and pieces. Later, due to a terrible winter storm that caused the snow itself to seem like “a part of the thickening darkness, to be the winter night itself descending on us layer by layer” (Wharton 20), the narrator is forced to stay the night at Frome’s. As he enters the unfamiliar house, the story flashes back twenty-four years to Ethan Frome’s young life. Living out his life with Zenobia Frome, his hypochondriac of a wife whom he does not love, Ethan has nowhere to turn for a glance at happiness. But when Zenobia’s, or Zeena’s, young cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to care for her, Ethan falls in love with the young aid. Mattie is Ethan’s sole light in life and “she is in contrast to everything in Starkfield; her feelings bubble near the surface” (Bernard 2). All through the novella, the two young lovers hide their feelings towards each other. When they finally let out their true emotions to each other in the end, the consequence is an unforeseen one. Throughout Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton portrays a twisted fairy tale similar to the story of Snow White with the traditional characters, but without a happy ending to show that in a bleak and stark reality, the beautiful and enchanting maiden could become the witch.
A good story is one that isn't demanding, that proceeds from A to B, and above all doesn't remind us of the bad times, the cardboard patches we used to wear in our shoes, the failed farms, the way people you love just up and die. It tells us instead that hard work and perseverance can overcome all obstacles; it tells lie after lie, and the happy ending is the happiest lie of all. (85)
Deception as an element can be presented in various forms. One may choose to hide their true self for specific intriguing motives in life. A theme identified in "The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson and "A Bolt of White Cloth" by Leeon Rooke is appearance can be used to deceive ones true self and morals for an intriguing motive. In both short stories, that were examined, both main characters use their exterior appearances to deceive their true morals, they deceive the people around them and lastly their deeds show their true intentions which distinguish their compelling motives which are viewed through a sense of morals.
In Evan Hunter’s short story, “On the Sidewalk Bleeding,” we find a story with many layers. On the surface is a shadow that envelops the events, offering a cloak of mystery for characters which lead your mind towards a deeper meaning. The reader follows a teenage boy who’s caught up in a world bigger than he understands, as a tale unravels that bears resemblance to the Biblical parable of “The Good Samaritan.” A tragic act done in momentary hate results in a chilling twist ending that urges you to reconsider your values in life.
In O’Connor’s Mystery and Manners she says the following: “From my own experience in trying to make stories ‘work,’ I have discovered that what is needed is an action that is totally unexpected, yet totally believable … and frequently it is an action in which the devil has been the unwilling instrument of grace.” O’Connor wants to represent the action of God’s grace in the world, a world that is “enemy territory,” and with characters who repel His grace, but eventually surrender to it; this is precisely what Asbury does in the “Enduring Chill” (O’Reilly). Overall, I hold the belief that God can move us to Him, even using our “defective wills.”
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales was originally a frame story including thirty people, later to become thirty-one. Does filthy reading make a great tale? A morally sound story is one that is clean, has an easily discovered moral and a moral that teaches a good lesson. The Miller’s Tale is quite a tale to tell, this tale does lack of being morally sound, it is entertaining and it fits The Host’s personality.
This story contains an almost equal balance of good and evil, though it also raises questions of what is truly good. It blurs the line between good and selfish or thoughtless. Characters’ actions sometimes appear impure, but in the long run, are good.
The character is emphasising the moral and educational value of stories in human development and understanding by saying that there is always something to learn from stories, even when they are retold repeatedly.
In Edmond Rostand’s comedic and romantic drama, Cyrano de Bergerac, Cyrano and De Guiche strong and fiery personalities conflict throughout the novel. Although Cyrano and De Guiche are enemies they feel and want mostly the same things. Cyrano and De Guiche are brought together not only by their love of the same girl, but also by their position in the military and their desire to protect their honor; despite the many conflicts this brings, they are able in the end to respect each other.
Everyone has a time in their life when they struggle. In “A Fable with Slips of White Paper Spilling from the Pockets,” the characters struggle with ordinary problems and pray just like normal. A man finds an overcoat that belongs to God and he answers prayers or tries to. The character in the story doubts himself, but when he lost the overcoat he realized that he did not know what to do without it. In the story, Brockmeier creates magic realism to create a symbol of faith. The author shows that faith is never easy by using a symbol of faith, magical elements, and realistic characteristics.
Silko counsels that the story's potential for good or ill should not be easily discounted or dismissed. She seems to understand all too well that human beings house both virtuous and vicious impulses; our stories are infused with both the sinister and the sublime. There is a unifying, mythical or archetypal realm which exists just beyond the scope of individual consciousness. Stories are tethered to and wound around this insubstantial place, and the power of each story is firmly rooted in this connection.
As the story opens, Young Goodman Brown is about to enter the forest to partake upon an "evil purpose." He leaves behind his sweet, pretty, young wife of three months, who wears pretty pink ribbons in her hair, urging her to "Say thy prayers, dear Faith, and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee" (p. 102). Young Goodman Brown is hesitant about leaving his Faith behind to go on such an errand, to venture into the forest where "the devil himself could be at my very elbow!" (p. 103).
... Had Lawrence not utilized the story frame, the reader may not have realized the purpose behind the connection between the reactions of the monk and the stableman. The reader would not have concluded that spirituality within the beholder affects the way in which individuals see the world. The need for these two groups of people to believe in a higher being or protector helped them to endure hardships; by showing these actions, Lawrence brings new light to the meaning behind faith.