Skip to main content


Magical Realism in Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi” and Easterine Kire’s “When the River Sleeps”: A Comparative Study

Issue Abstract

Abstract
Magical realism is also known as marvelous realism, it is a literary genre which is set up in the real world mixed with fantasies and supernatural elements. Stories are set up in typical settings and known places in which unbelievable and unrealistic events are presented as normal by the characters in the story. It is a blend of folklore, fiction, mythology and superstition. This study is about the comparative study of two stories Life of Pi and When The River Sleeps which is based on magical realism and character development of the main characters. This work will be a study of spiritual growth and how certain beliefs change their life in the long run. Also focuses on the traditional and cultural significance and how it shapes one’s direction of life. Life of Pi being a story from the southern part of India and When the river sleeps from the northern parts as a comparison shows the unity in diversity. How a large part of nature can be a turning point for the main characters like the ocean for Pi and the forest for Vilie. Nature works in mysterious ways as it has worked for them as a way of clarity and understanding of life.
Keywords: Magical realism, spirituality, character growth, journey, Destination, realization.


Author Information
N. Mongyung Phom, Assistant Professor Department of English Dimapur Government College Dimapur, Nagaland
Issue No
12
Volume No
3
Issue Publish Date
05 Dec 2024
Issue Pages
01-07

Issue References

References

1.Zamora, Lois Parkinson; Faris, Wendy B., eds. (1995-11-14). Magical Realism. Duke University Press. doi:10.1515/9780822397212. ISBN 978-0-8223-9721-2. 

2. Dwyer, June (2005). "Yann Martel's Life of Pi and the Evolution of the Shipwreck Narrative". Modern Language Studies. 35 (2): 9–21. doi:10.2307/30039823. JSTOR 30039823.
3. Marte,l Yann, Life of Pi. London: Knopf Canada. 2001. Print. Martel, Yann. Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_Martel. Online.
4. Kire, Easterine. When the River Sleeps. New Delhi: Zubaan Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 2014
5. Arline Nikila Juli. “Supernatural Elements in When the River Sleeps”. 2019. THINK INDIA (Quarterly Journal), Vol-22-Issue-4-October-December 6. André Dodeman, “Crossing Oceans and Stories: Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and the Survival Narrative”, Commonwealth Essays and Studies, 37.1 | 2014, 35-44. 7. ATWOOD, Margaret. Review of Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Margaret Atwood: Writing with Intent, Essays, Reviews, Personal Prose 1983-2005. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2005. 224-6. 8. MARTEL, Yann. Life of Pi. London: Harcourt, 2001. 9. Kire, Easterine. 2014.When the River Sleeps. India: Zubaan Books 10. "Lit for Life: The Hindu Prize for 2015 goes to Easterine Kire". The Hindu. 16 January 2016.