A Concept of Characteristics of Magical Realism in Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls: A Merger of Objective and Adolescent Psychological Approach

Abstract

This article aims to apply the concept of characteristics of magical realism proposed by Wendy B. Faris and the theory of adolescent psychology by Dr. Arthur T. Jersild in the novel A Monster Calls to categorize the novel as a magical realism, also to analyze and discuss the psychological connection between two dominant characters in the novel, Conor and The Monster. The research is an amalgamation of objective or structural study to describe each characteristic of magical realism found in the text and adolescent psychology study as extrinsic approach to explain any discrepancy. It is inferred that the novel A Monster Calls belongs to a magical realism according to the findings as it contains all five characteristics suggested by Faris. A discrepancy is found in one aspect regarding the ‘realness’ of The Monster as the irreducible element which shows that the character is only visible for Conor. It is then explained through the eye of psychology, resulting in a very strong relationship between it and Conor which gives an understanding that they are, in fact, one character. The discrepancy found in the character of The Monster shows that The Monster is Conor’s own alter ego.