Magical realism in literature is the incorporation of mystical and fantastic elements into realistic fiction. It is the ability to blend something realistic with the fiction usually common in American literature. This essay will analyze magical realism and how it manifests itself in Neil Gaiman's Chivalry. From the classroom lessons you will get a close reference on what magical realism is and how it has been widely used in literature. Magical realism has been used extensively in fiction writing, with an example of Neil Gaiman's work in Chivalry. Chivalry is the story of an elderly woman and the widowed Mrs. Whitaker. The story revolves around his boring life, his meeting with Sir Gilead, a knight of the round table. In this story, magical realism is first evident at the point where the old widow, Mrs. Whitaker, purchases the Holy Grail from a shop. This is a point where fantasy merges with reality. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Nowadays it is rare to see someone purchase a magical product from a regular local store. This is one of Neil Gaiman's uses of fantasy, blending it seamlessly so that it can fit the real-world situation in which the novel is set. I can quote this part “Mrs. Whitaker has found the Holy Grail; It was under a fur coat." It is from this quote that we understand that he did not expect to find such a treasure there. This is fantasy since it is known that things and jewels of inestimable value are difficult to find easily. Neil Gaiman's expression of simplicity in the location of the treasure is also an expression of magical realism, an event that existed in fantasy and by magical means. Another piece of evidence of magical realism is where Gilead does not use force to proclaim his Holy Grail, but instead chooses to be polite to Mrs. Whitaker to convince her to let go of the Holy Grail. His first meeting with Mrs. Whitaker is evident here “Mrs. Whitaker opened the door. He was a young man with shoulder-length hair so blonde it was almost white, wearing gleaming silver armor, with white fur. Neil Gaiman uses magical realism on the character of Sir Gilead when he is shown showering Mrs. Whitaker with gifts in exchange for the Holy Grail, a procedure rarely followed in such terms. Most knights were expected to use force to achieve the acquisition of the Holy Grail. The quote that shows evidence of these gifts is “Mrs. Whitaker placed the ruby fruit on the kitchen table. He looked at the philosopher's stone, the egg of the phoenix, and the apple of life. All these gifts were given to her, and it is ironic that Sir Gilead went to great lengths to find them in exchange for the Holy Grail, when he had the power to take it from her immediately. Neil Gaiman expressed magical realism perfectly there. . Another evidence of magical realism in chivalry is where Mrs. Whiteman is showered with gifts by Sir Gilead, gifts that are worth a fortune, but she despises those who demand simpler gifts that will console her from her boredom and loneliness. She prefers that Sir Gilead help her collect snails from the garden and enjoy a glass of lemonade together. This is also magical realism in literature as individuals in today's society would rather take the gifts and give away the Holy Grail. The character of Mrs. Whitaker is expressed as living a fantasy life that is extremely different from how reality expects her to live. This is magical realism as it does the unexpected and lives differently from.
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