Open AccessExtraordinary events and primeval images: Magic realism in the works of Northern Sotho novelist O.K. Matsepe
Author(s) -
Gerrie Grobler
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
literator
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.126
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 2219-8237
pISSN - 0258-2279
DOI - 10.4102/lit.v14i1.692
Subject(s) - magic realism , magic (telescope) , messiah , realism , paradise , archetype , happiness , art , literature , art history , philosophy , theology , physics , psychology , astronomy , social psychology
Fictive reality in the conventional novel is required to adhere to the laws of real life. Magic realism, however, presents a peculiar and unique world: a fictive but everyday reality, interspersed with extraordinary or 'unreal’ events. In addition, primeval images or archetypes operate in the text, e.g. the image of happiness or paradise, of the father, of the wise old man, of the Messiah and of the eternal return. The art of O.K. Matsepe sufficiently displays these features to justify the conclusion that he may be regarded as a magic realist in the mould of Hubert Lampo and Gabriel García Márquez, among others