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  • Essay / Answering the question of the reality of magic as depicted in Neil Gaiman's short story

    Magical realism in literature is the incorporation of mystical and fantastical elements into realistic fiction. It is the ability to mix something realistic with fiction, usually common in American literature. This essay will analyze magical realism and how it manifests in Neil Gaiman's Chivalry. Close references will be derived from classroom lessons on what magical realism is and how it has been widely used in literature. Magical realism has been widely used in fiction writing, with an example of Neil Gaiman's work in chivalry. Chivalry is the story of an elderly woman and the widow 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 first appears at the moment when the old widow, Mrs. Whitaker, buys the Holy Grail in a store. This is a point where fantasy blends into reality. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Nowadays, it is rare to see someone buying a magical product from a local ordinary store. This is one of Neil Gaiman's uses of fantasy by blending it perfectly so that it can fit the real world situation in which the novel takes place. I can quote this part “Mrs. Whitaker has found the Holy Grail; It was under a fur coat.” It is under this quote that we understand that she did not expect to find such a treasure there. This is fantasy because we know that priceless objects and jewelry 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 through fantastical and magical means. Further evidence of magical realism is the point where Gilead does not use force to proclaim his Holy Grail, but instead chooses to be polite to Mrs. Whitaker in an attempt to convince her to give up 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 blond it was almost white, wearing gleaming silver armor and a white fur coat. 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 under such conditions. One would have expected that most knights would use force to obtain the Holy Grail. The quote that shows evidence of these gifts is “Mrs. Whitaker placed the ruby ​​fruit on her kitchen table. She looked at the Philosopher's Stone, the Phoenix Egg and the Apple of Life. All of these gifts were given to him, and it is ironic that Sir Gilead would go to great lengths to find them in exchange for the Holy Grail, when he had the power to snatch it immediately. Neil Gaiman expressed magical realism perfectly in this case. . Further evidence of magical realism in chivalry is when Mrs. Whiteman is showered with gifts by Sir Gilead, gifts worth a fortune, but she scorns those who ask for simpler gifts that will console her from her boredom and loneliness. She prefers to have Sir Gilead help her pick slugs in the garden and enjoy a glass of lemonade together. This is also magical realism in literature, as individuals in today's society prefer to take the gifts and give the Holy Grail. Mrs. Whitaker's character is depicted as living a fantasy life extremely different from how the.