St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is “realism” in literature? What do you know—or what can you guess—about the terms “magical realism” and “fabulism”?

Teaching Suggestion: Even students who have not yet been exposed to “Realism” as a literary term should be able to make accurate guesses about the meaning of this term. Those who have encountered the term “magical realism” may need refinement of their understanding of the term, as it is used in popular culture to refer to a broader spectrum of literature than it refers to in an academic context. It is likely that few students will be familiar with the term “fabulism,” but you can ask them what its root word probably is and encourage them to make guesses based on the root word “fable.” Some students may know the term “fabulist” as a synonym for “liar,” and this, too, provides an intriguing springboard into the literary application of this word.

• This article from The Writer explores various definitions of “magical realism” and “fabulism.”
• In this essay, author Brenda Peynado explains fabulism’s appeal to her as an antidote to irony.

2. Besides origins inside or outside of Latin America, what seem to be the key differences between magical realism and fabulism?

Teaching Suggestion: Even students with strong backgrounds in magical realism and/or fabulism may struggle to articulate that magical realism is culturally focused (its fantastical elements are generally drawn from cultural beliefs and its purpose tends to be critiquing culture) while fabulism is personally focused (its fantastical elements are generally externalized manifestations of psychological realities and its purpose tends to be exploring the human psyche). Students may benefit from reviewing the linked materials below prior to discussing or writing about this prompt.

• This interview highlights the ways fabulism can be used to convey psychological truths.
• This article from The Oxford Student discusses political and cultural aspects of magical realism.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the stories.

What works of magical realism or fabulism have you read or watched? Have you played video games that have elements of magical realism or fabulism? Do you enjoy these genres? What do you think makes them popular with the people who enjoy them?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may enjoy discussing this question aloud or sharing some of their ideas after writing; allowing for some kind of dialogue will broaden students’ ideas about which works can be called “magical realism” or “fabulism.” They will very likely have opinions about whether this kind of story is enjoyable, but their own personal responses may also inhibit understanding of what people in general like about these stories. You might remind them of what Brenda Peynado’s essay had to say on this issue, discuss the intellectual and emotional value of the surprising and novel in fiction, or point out the ways in which allegorical and metaphorical elements in literature offer readers new perspectives on the world.