The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What are some similarities and differences between fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism? With what literary periods and/or movements do you associate these genres?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer relates to the theme of The Use of Fantasy and Science Fiction to Explain Generational Trauma. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao borrows elements of fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism—three literary genres that share an interest in experiences outside of what is usually defined as “normal.” It may help to define each of these three genres and encourage students to think critically about how they are distinct from one another. You might note the way magical realism builds on fantasy and science fiction to reflect on issues and themes that pertain to the “real” world. It may also be helpful to discuss the history of magical realism, which is closely connected to 20th-century Latin American fiction (with some of the most famous representatives of magical realism including the Colombian Gabriel García Márquez, the Mexican Carlos Fuentes, and the Chilean Isabel Allende).