1. Juan Jose Arreola

2. Mexican short-story writer
Juan Jose Arreola
Mexican short-story 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
Style of “essay-story” linked with Borges
Satirizes modern technology and byproducts

3. Techniques to watch for:
Satire
Allegory
Magical Realism and absurdism

4. Baby HP (1952)

5. Baby HP (1952)

6. Review: What is Magical Realism?

7. 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 characters
Magical realism stays grounded in our own reality, fantasy breaks free of it

8. Borges pioneered magical realism, Marquez refined it!
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!

9. 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

10. Hyperbole
Hyperbole: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. How is absurdism important to Modernism?
Thinking back….
How is absurdism important to Modernism?
How does Metamorphosis recognize the absurdity of life?

14. 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?