Fantasy in Literature: Techniques by Zhang Xinxin and Gabriel Garcia Marquez Essay

Introduction

Literature plays an important role in educating, entertaining, warning, and informing the public about various events that take place in society. Authors use different literary techniques to express their views and enhance the credibility and attractiveness of their writings. The use of fantasies is a technique embraced by Zhang Xinxin and Gabriel Garcia Marquez to exaggerate the themes and personalities of the characters used in their works.

Themes

The theme of greed to acquire material wealth is explained in the stories of Dragon World written by Zhang Xinxin and A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In both stories, the writers have used various themes to pass their message to readers. First, Xinxin shows how a Chinese community has focused on the need to be rich at the expense of its moral values. The second story shows how Paleyo and his wife are desperate to make money. They take advantage of the old man’s physical uniqueness to extort money from neighbors.

Secondly, the story highlights the theme of superstition that is evident in people’s belief that the old man is an angel. However, others believe that he is evil because they think that angels should be tidy and presentable. In addition, the church is torn between Christianity and superstition; moreover, Father Gonzaga is forced to seek guidance from his bishop before he makes any move. Superstition is present in the second story and it is described by showing how the ‘Spider Girl’ was converted into a tarantula for being disobedient. Lastly, the dragons present in this story show that people have broken the boundaries that regulate their behaviors.

The Absence of Fantasy

The use of literary techniques helps narrators to make their works interesting and attract audiences (Eynat-Confino 46). Therefore, readers will become attentive and concentrate on the plot, themes, and characters of the story and this enables these writers to achieve their objectives. In addition, fantasy enables Xinxin and Marquez to educate their audiences about the themes of greed, superstition, and moral values. The use of fantasy makes these stories simple and easy to remember because these occurrences are out of the real world. Fantasy enables audiences to improve their imagination about events that happen in their societies and this makes them think beyond the ordinary meanings of literature presentations (Gioia 51).

Uses of Fantasy

The most common reason for using fantasy in a story is to make it interesting and thus attract audiences. In addition, it enables writers to describe the personalities of their characters and show how they shape their behavior. Xinxin and Marquez have used fantasy to ensure that their audiences are entertained by their stories and this makes them concentrate on them (Eynat-Confino 63). These writers do not change their tone when moving from the fantastical to the real world to avoid creating confusion among their audiences and ensure they understand the stories.

Similarities

Xinxin and Marquez have used dragons and unique human beings respectively, and this makes the use of fantasy to be a major similarity between these stories. In addition, both stories contain the theme of greed for wealth and explain how people use dirty tricks to make money. Marquez’s story shows how Paleyo and his wife take advantage of the old man’s uniqueness to collect money from villagers who are curious to see him. The second story describes a Chinese society that is money-oriented and has lost its moral values.

Conclusion

Zhang Xinxin and Gabriel Garcia Marquez have used fantasy to express their opinions on how people should behave in society. They have exaggerated the personalities of their characters to ensure their audiences understand their themes. Lastly, this technique ensures their works educate and entertain their audiences.

Works Cited

Eynat-Confino, Irene. On the Uses of the Fantastic in Modern Theatre: Cocteau, Oedipus, and the Monster (Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History). Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan, 2008. Print.

Gioia, Dana. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. New York: Wiley, 2012. Print.