Dreaming in Cuban

by Cristina Garcia

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Exploring Magical Realism in "Dreaming in Cuban"

Summary:

In "Dreaming in Cuban," magical realism is used to blend the extraordinary with the ordinary, reflecting the characters' complex realities and emotions. This literary technique allows the narrative to explore themes like cultural identity, political upheaval, and familial bonds in a richly layered, imaginative way.

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What could be a thesis on magical realism in "Dreaming in Cuban"?

Magical Realism in literature originated in Latin America. It owes some debt to extreme realism (in the arts) which was an intense focus on the "real." But Magical Realism in literature owes more to the development of Surrealism in the early 20th century. Simply put, Magical Realism is the fusion of realistic elements with elements of fantasy, the supernatural, or any others that are not realistic. A famous example of this style is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's short story "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings." Everything about the story is realistic except for the man with wings. It is a mix of realism and fantasy.

In Dreaming in Cuban , a complicated story about family, politics, and identity, there are realistic and fantastic elements. Celia and Felicia have recurring visions of the deceased Jorge (Celia's husband). Pilar, daughter of Lourdes and granddaughter of Celia, becomes increasingly aware of an inner...

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voice, something that is both a realistic urge to connect with her Cuban ancestry and also something that is magical or perhaps even a telepathic connection between her and Celia, her grandmother.

These magical elements link certain characters together—characters who are separated in time or in space (geographically). And in this novel, the real/magical dynamic is an effective parallel between other dichotomies: Cuba/USA, past/present, as well as conflicts between mothers and daughters. So, while magical elements can be used in Magical Realism simply for the sake of more fantasy, they can also illustrate cultural aspects and how mythic connections arise out of strict realism.

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Can you explain the Magic Realism in the novel Dreaming in Cuban?

The novel Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia uses magical realism as a tool to empower the characters via their experience of supernatural incidents. Magical realism also helps the characters communicate wordlessly with each other and with those who have passed. Members of the Del Pino family are able to communicate with relatives in distant lands through a form of telepathy. At times, they are even able to uncover information that had been kept secret. For example, this is apparent in conversations that Pilar has with Celia and Cuba in her mind, regardless of the distance that separates them. This form of celestial communication exists not just among the living; it also works between the living and the dead. Celia has a vision of her dead husband Jorge walking towards her on water, and while she cannot understand him completely, unconscious communication does take place.

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