Gabriel Garcia Marquez is characterized for the literary techniques he employs
in his works. He is recognized as one of the best Latin American writers for his uniqueness in the use of magical realism.
This technique along with his ability hyperbolize and describe events and places by utilizing visual, sensory, olfactory,
and auditory imagery makes him one of the most interesting authors.
Garcia Marquez employs the technique of magical realism in almost every single
one of his works, specially his short stories. For instance, in the short story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings magical
realism can be observed as the author tells the story about an old man with enormous wings that landed in Pelayo's front yard.
The old man symbolized an angel meaning it is something supernatural, and the author gives him such human characteristics
that he makes him seem real to the audience. He uses in this case imagery describing the man of having almost no hair, ugly
teeth, and having bad odor. The irony of an angel possessing these characteristics is what makes him real, becoming easy for
the audience to visualize and sympathize with.
Furthermore, the author tends to describe every single detail in his stories
so that they do not seem fictional. For example, in Chronicle of a death foretold, the author makes a vivid description of
the house that Ibraham Nasar bought to make the story more credible, also to reveal the importance of the front door of the
house which was used by anyone except for Santiago Nasar who exited through it, the morning of his assassination.
Employing magical realism and imagery are the most consistent literary devices
appearing in the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He also utilizes alternative literary devices, but these two are the techniques
that characterize his works, and make them so unique. His ability to create vivid images and to bring the unnatural to life
are some of the abilities that make this Gabriel Garcia Marquez so special.
