MAGICAL REALISM IN HARRY POTTER
Magical Realism is a literary genre or narrative style where magical or fantastical elements are
presented in a realistic setting and treated as a natural part of the world. In magical realism, the
extraordinary is blended with the ordinary in a way that characters and readers alike accept the
magical as part of the everyday. This genre is common in Latin American literature, pioneered
by writers like Gabriel García Márquez, but it also appears in other cultural contexts .
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling’s world-building has elements of
magical realism, as the story begins in a familiar, non-magical world and gradually reveals the
presence of a hidden magical society. The novel is often categorized as fantasy rather than
magical realism, but it contains magical realism’s signature features, particularly in its blending
of the magical with the ordinary:
1. Coexistence of Magical and Mundane Realms
a. The book opens in a typical British suburban setting with the Dursleys, who lead
an exceptionally ordinary, magic-averse life. This world resembles real-life
England—until Harry learns of his magical heritage. Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts
Express, and Hogwarts itself are concealed within this realistic world, suggesting
that magic is woven into the fabric of everyday life, just hidden from ordinary
people (referred to as "Muggles").
b. This blend of realism with an unseen magical world creates a foundation for
magical realism by normalizing the fantastical within the everyday.
2. The Mundane Treatment of Magical Elements
a. Rowling treats magical elements as ordinary parts of life for her characters in the
magical world. Wizards use spells to do household chores, travel, and send
messages, often with the same casualness that non-magical people might use
everyday tools. Characters like Hagrid speak about dragons, spells, and enchanted
objects as if they’re entirely mundane, giving readers a sense that magic is a
natural part of this universe.
b. For example, Harry is told about the concept of platform nine and three-quarters,
a hidden train platform, without fanfare, just as one might discuss a regular train
station. The seamless integration of magic into daily routines reflects magical
realism, as it suggests that magic is a natural, even commonplace part of
existence.
3. Ordinary Characters Navigating Extraordinary Events
a. Harry himself, a seemingly ordinary boy, learns that he belongs to this hidden
magical world, making him both ordinary and extraordinary. This duality
embodies magical realism, as it bridges the gap between the reader’s realistic
perspective and the novel’s magical possibilities. Harry and his friends experience
wonders like flying on broomsticks, battling trolls, and using wands, yet they
approach these events with awe mixed with an almost pragmatic acceptance, as if
such phenomena are to be expected in their world.
b. The characters in Harry Potter often respond to magical occurrences with an
acceptance that mirrors how we might handle strange or surprising events in real
life, further grounding the magic in a familiar context.
4. Exploration of Social and Cultural Realities through Magical Elements
a. Magical realism often uses fantastical elements to comment on real-world issues,
and Rowling does this through the dynamics between Muggles and wizards, the
treatment of "half-blood" versus "pure-blood" wizards, and Harry’s mistreatment
by the Dursleys. These magical issues mirror real-life social hierarchies and
prejudice.
b. The disdain that the Dursleys have for magic and for Harry’s magical heritage
highlights the contrast between acceptance and intolerance, creating an allegory
for real-world discrimination and differences in social status.
While Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is primarily a fantasy novel, it exhibits elements
of magical realism by merging the magical with the ordinary and presenting the fantastical as
part of an everyday experience for those within the magical world. Rowling’s storytelling invites
readers to accept magic as a part of reality, even as it opens doors to wonder and adventure.
