A Study on Magical Realist Writing Techniques Used in Men of Maize

Abstract

Miguel Ángel Asturias’ work titled Men of Maize stands as a significant masterpiece within the realm of Latin American magical realism literature. It unfolds and discloses the profound and abiding antagonism that exists between Indian culture and modern capitalism by means of a prose narrative that is rendered in a poeticized fashion, replete with rich mythological symbols as well as complex social conflicts that are intricately interwoven. This paper undertakes an analysis across four distinct aspects, namely the backdrop or setting against which the work was created, the very definition along with the characteristic features that are emblematic of magical realism, the context or background within which it came into being and subsequently developed, and the specific and tangible manifestations of the magical realist writing techniques as they are exemplified in Men of Maize. The study that has been conducted reveals that Men of Maize manages to demonstrate the historical fissure or divide and the cultural antagonism that pervades Latin American society through the employment of techniques such as the clash of cultures, a non-traditional narrative structure that breaks away from the norm, and the symbolism associated with deities. Moreover, it simultaneously engages in a profound and incisive reflection upon the marginalization of traditional culture during the course of the modernization process. The creative output of Asturias is not solely a critique leveled at the social reality of Latin America; rather, it also represents an exploration of the common issues and challenges that are faced by mankind at large, thereby laying down an important and substantial foundation for the further development of magical realism literature.