The surreal in Julio Cortázar's Cosmopolitan Works and Gabriel García Márquez's Provincial World

Abstract

The prompt of this essay was to compare two authors studied in class, one having won a Nobel Literature Prize, and make a case for why the other also deserved to win. This essay is interested in comparing two different Latin American authors to highlight how, despite similarities in themes, the types of characters and settings used greatly change the overarching message of their works. The two contemporary authors chosen were Gabriel García Marquez and Julio Cortázar. Both used magical realism in their work, a style used for its political, social, and philosophical applications. This work concludes that García Marquez was ultimately chosen by the Nobel committee for his unique view into Latin American societies and original incorporation of fantasy into these new settings. On the other hand, Cortázar followed the popular European surrealist movement, and did not reach such popularity in his time. Research for this paper consisted mainly of close readings, context-based analysis, and gathering of various commentaries and articles regarding either author's influence.