Key Concepts in Literary Theory and Movements

Linguistic Signs

Linguistic signs are those used by humans in language. Language does not employ elements outside of itself. It consists of two parts:

• The material aspect: a string of letters or sounds, known as the signifier.
• The meaning: the representation that occurs in the mind of the listener or reader.

Characteristics of Magical Realism

Magical realism presents facts within a dimension where the wonderful and magical are also possible. The reader accepts what happens as plausible.

Narratives cease to be told linearly. The literary discourse is structured with temporal distortions, employing anticipation and retrospection that fragment the narrative sequence.

The Literary Boom

This process covers the period of profound changes in the network of relationships within the literary space. The Boom is associated with an increase in book sales, also due to the significant presence of journals and diaries during those years. It was closely linked to the Cuban Revolution.

Some argued that European literature was exhausted and that the new world was offering wonderful realism. Controversy arose, suggesting the Boom was merely a publishing market operation, though its true strengths were considered artifacts by readers. Authors composing this movement showed significant influence from American and European writers, including Miguel Ángel Asturias, Manuel Puig, Isabel Allende, and Carlos Fuentes.

Great Resources: Narrative Disruption

Disruption occurs by chance: the event lacks apparent cause, logic, or reason. Repetition of actions, situations, words, or phrases, and repetitive descriptions cause disruption and uncertainty, leading to states of confusion.

• Since what happens to the protagonist cannot be rationally explained, the story's atmosphere is built from constant confusion.
• Inaccuracies in space and time: Generally, it is unclear where or when events occur, creating an atmosphere of unreality.
• Blurry objects or persons: Certain elements or characters are described vaguely.

Theatre

Aesthetic, educational, therapeutic, release, and entertainment are some functions that playwrights from different periods have claimed for their works. Theatre is a limited genre in literature, which must be presented before an audience.

A written work allows for multiple readings; the theatre director is required to perform the work in its entirety. There are two plans:

1. Material Plan: Director, actors, scenery, lighting.
2. Linguistic/Dramatic Plan: Dialogues, dramatic situation, characters.

Contemporary Theatre

Theatre of Cruelty

This form privileges action over dialogue, aiming to shake and disturb the viewer's consciousness.

Theatre of the Absurd

Arising in the mid-1950s, this movement attempts to destroy language as a medium of communication, replacing it with remnants of phrases and buzzwords. It tries to highlight the isolation and despair of modern man.