Question

read the excerpt from cristina garcias dreaming in cuban.

my father knew i understood more than i could say. he told me stories about cuba after columbus came. he said that the spaniards wiped out more indians with smallpox than with muskets.

which best describes an element of magic realism used by garcia in this excerpt?

she shows the close relationship that pilar had with her father.
she connects the events to the colonial history of latin america.
she is a modern writer developing a story about spanish history.
she characterizes columbuss discovery as an extraordinary event.

Explanation:

Analyze the literary excerpt

Using the Magic Realism and Latin American Literature knowledge points

The excerpt from Cristina García's Dreaming in Cuban reads:
"My father knew I understood more than I could say. He told me stories about Cuba after Columbus came. He said that the Spaniards wiped out more Indians with smallpox than with muskets."

Identify elements of magic realism

Using the Magic Realism knowledge point

Magic realism often blends realistic narrative with elements of myth, folklore, and historical/political realities of Latin America. A key characteristic of the genre is its deep connection to the colonial history, collective memory, and cultural heritage of Latin America, integrating these historical truths into the fabric of everyday life and personal relationships.

Evaluate the options

Using the Latin American Literature knowledge point

• Option 1: "She shows the close relationship that Pilar had with her father." — This describes a realistic character dynamic, not a defining element of magic realism.
• Option 2: "She connects the events to the colonial history of Latin America." — This correctly identifies how magic realism grounds its narrative in the historical, colonial, and cultural realities of Latin America (such as Columbus, Spanish colonization, and the impact on indigenous populations).
• Option 3: "She is a modern writer developing a story about Spanish history." — This is a biographical/structural fact, not a literary element of magic realism.
• Option 4: "She characterizes Columbus's discovery as an extraordinary event." — The text does not focus on glorifying the discovery as extraordinary; rather, it highlights the historical tragedy of colonization.

Answer:

• She shows the close relationship that Pilar had with her father.
• She connects the events to the colonial history of Latin America. (Correct answer)
• She is a modern writer developing a story about Spanish history.
• She characterizes Columbus's discovery as an extraordinary event.