Components of Magical Realism

These are the top 5 components to a Magical Realism novel and how they relate to Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

1. View of Reality: the supernatural is not questioned nor explained, its just accepted. No one questions how a fire can be black and white, they just embrace it.
2. Blurred Boundaries: borders are mixed and unclear. No explanation for why binaries such as black and white are used and then forgotten.
3. Typical Narrative Structures: the change in perspective. The story is told through the eyes of different characters.
4. Style: diction creates mystery. Word choice from the narrator or characters creates suspense for the reader.
5. Archetypes: reappearing images that represent something. The colors black and white are the circus’ theme.