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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu12828363762021-08-03T06:00:31Z Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri DuBois Bourenane, Heather L. <p>Magical realism, which incorporates both physical and spiritual "realities," is often considered a "postcolonial" genre of literature. This perspective depends upon a monolithic conception of "Western" and "non-Western" ideologies, and assumes that "magical realism" <i>does</i> something Western texts do not do. Investigating the works of the Nigerian novelist Ben Okri and the Guyanan writer Wilson Harris problematize this idea of magical realism as a postcolonial phenomenon.</p><p>Despite numerous differences, Okri and Harris share a conviction of the inherent universality of the human consciousness. This factor plays a major role in the development of their fiction, which explores similar themes of revision, history, and liminality through very different stylistic techniques. By comparing the articulation of these themes in Harris's <i>The Infinite Rehearsal</i> (1987) and Okri's <i>Infinite Riches</i> (1998), one realizes that despite the various strategies of magical realism (which include intertextuality, metatextuality, surreal and fantastic imagery and events, and highly figurative use of language), each author emphasizes the necessity of reconciling paradoxical or contrary elements of reality in order to both better understand the world and work toward political and social change.</p><p>This approach to magical realism is particularly relevant to the field of postcolonial literary theory. While theories of hybridity or syncreticity seem to correspond neatly to the multivalent realities of magical realist fiction, the extent to which postcolonial theory is useful in interpreting and understanding magical realism is limited. Since magical realism has frequently been disregarded as politically irrelevant for its "fanciful" (vs. sociopolitical realist) representation of reality, many postcolonial critics object to its "textualized" politics and "universalizing" themes. As the fiction of Harris and Okri reveals, however, magical realism is a strategy which allows for the reconciliation of contradictory elements of reality by challenging the binary logic which governs both our conception of "Western" thought and the conventions of literary realism. Magical realism thus provides a vehicle for the expression of a specifically located worldview with universal implications; a highly liberating cultural politics which moves beyond the constraints of polarizing logic, and helps elucidate better understanding a paradoxical and multivalent world.</p> 2000 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282836376 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282836376 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
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NDLTD
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| language |
English
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NDLTD
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| author |
DuBois Bourenane, Heather L.
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| spellingShingle |
DuBois Bourenane, Heather L.
Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri
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| author_facet |
DuBois Bourenane, Heather L.
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| author_sort |
DuBois Bourenane, Heather L.
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| title |
Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri
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| title_short |
Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri
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| title_full |
Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri
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| title_fullStr |
Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri
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| title_full_unstemmed |
Rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of Wilson Harris and Ben Okri
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| title_sort |
rewriting the real : magical realism and the fiction of wilson harris and ben okri
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| publisher |
The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
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| publishDate |
2000
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| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282836376
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AT duboisbourenaneheatherl rewritingtherealmagicalrealismandthefictionofwilsonharrisandbenokri
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