Magical realism is a literary genre that has become increasingly popular recently. It combines the realistic elements of the everyday world with fantastical and supernatural elements, blurring the line between the two (Magic Realism). It is a common theme in several short stories, such as Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" and W.W. Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw." This essay will discuss whether magical realism is a legitimate form of fiction writing and what makes it different from other forms of fiction by referring to the above short stories.

First, magical realism is a legitimate form of fiction writing because it allows authors to create a unique and compelling narrative that draws readers into an imaginative world. Unlike other fiction genres, magical realism incorporates fantastical or magical elements into an otherwise realistic setting, allowing readers to experience a heightened sense of wonder and curiosity (Schofield et al. 14). For example, in "A Sound of Thunder," the author uses time travel as a way to explore the consequences of actions. The story follows a group of hunters who travel back in time to hunt a dinosaur. However, when one of the hunters steps off the designated path, he changes the course of history, creating a butterfly effect that alters the present (Bradbury 11). The fantastical elements of time travel allow Bradbury to explore the idea of the consequences of people's actions and the fragility of the world in which they live.

Similarly, in "The Monkey's Paw," W.W. Jacobs uses the supernatural element of the monkey's paw to explore themes of greed and the consequences of our desires. The story follows a family who is given a monkey's paw that has the power to grant wishes (Jacobs). However,  each wish comes with a terrible consequence, leading the family to realize their desires have a price. The fantastical element of the monkey's paw allows Jacobs to explore the human condition and the dangers of unchecked desires.

What sets magical realism apart from other forms of fiction is its ability to combine the ordinary with the extraordinary. In magical realism, the fantastical elements are presented as everyday occurrences, and the characters accept them as such (Rajabi et al., 2). This creates a sense of ambiguity and wonders for readers, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. Unlike other forms of fiction, magical realism is not concerned with creating a linear cause-and-eff ect narrative. Instead, it focuses on creating a world that is both magical and real, allowing readers to explore complex themes and ideas uniquely and engagingly (Rajabi et al. 2). Magical realist writers use magical or supernatural elements to represent abstract concepts and ideas, such as love, death, and identity. In "A Sound of Thunder," the butterfly symbolizes the power of small actions to have significant consequences. In "The Monkey's Paw," the wishes come with unexpected consequences, highlighting the dangers of playing with supernatural forces. This use of symbolism and metaphor allows magical realism to explore complex themes and issues in an imaginative and powerful way.

In conclusion, magical realism is a legitimate form of fiction writing with unique qualities that distinguish it from other genres. It allows authors to create a unique and imaginative narrative that blends the real and the imaginary, drawing readers into a recognizable and fantastical world. In "A Sound of Thunder" and "The Monkey's Paw," we see examples of how magical realism can be used to explore complex themes and ideas, illustrating the potential of this genre for creating compelling and thought-provoking literature.