Magic Realism in John Cheever''s Short Stories

• Main Authors: Lori Chen, 陳貴香
• Other Authors: James Barton Rollins
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2000
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/00066856490967745242

碩士 === 國立中正大學 === 外國語文研究所 === 88 === This thesis aims to study John Cheever''s three short stories, exploring the loss and absurdity at the heart of contemporary American life, from a "magic realism" perspective. In general, Cheever is justly famous for his realistic but amusing representation of the upper-middle-class milieu. He moved beyond the limited options of the realistic mode and experimented with the narrative technique of magic realism. Yet his use of magic realism is quite different from Jorge Luis Borges''s magic realism in treating reality and subject matter. This thesis thus attempts to explore Cheever''s presentation of his subject matter, troubled day-to-day anxiety, through his use of magic realism. The term "magic realism" is defined in thesis as a twentieth-century literary mode in which the magic and the real exist simultaneously and are equally powerful; they appear as a logical contradiction. Chapter one discusses the anxiety of midlife crisis. Through the magic realism theme of metamorphosis, the narrator Mr. Ogden is transformed into Mr. Greenwood''s shadow in "The Seaside Houses." The shadow, which usually appears in mid-life as a result of a mid-life crisis, as literary theme is mainly subject to psychological interpretation. Therefore, the archetypal approach can function as a vehicle for a better understanding of magic realism. Chapter two deals with the anxiety of the loss of youth. Through the magic realism theme of the quest for eternal youth, the main character Neddy''s fear of getting old is presented in "The Swimmer." A modern Sisyphus, Neddy, ceaselessly attempts to recapture his early youth by swimming one pool after another but is doomed to fail. This chapter accordingly deals with how magic realism paradoxically helps people to face instead of escape their despair. Chapter three examines the basic anxiety of the need for love. Through the magic realism theme of the femme fatale, the protagonist Joan''s need for love and her extraordinary power suggesting supernatural witchcraft are presented in "Torch Song." According to a feminist viewpoint, the femme fatale is an articulation of fears surrounding the loss of stability and centrality of the self. This chapter thus explores how magic realism works as a feminist expression of female power. Ultimately, Cheever''s use of magic realism reinforces and exposes the anxiety of contemporary American life.