It is likely that most people are completely confused when confronted with this subject, but after they read a few papers on magical realism, it becomes a little clearer. The papers that Amaryll Chanady, Luis Leal, Angle Flores, Franz Roh, and Scott Simpkins wrote have been helpful in studying the history and theory of magical realism. Each paper has many good points in it, but the authors argue so much over who is right or wrong that it is hard to decide who to agree with. Angel Flores has several good points in his essay on magical realism. Flores believes that Jorge Luis Borges' 1935 book A Universal History of Infamy was the first use of magical realism.
Art can also have a spiritual meaning.
Luis Leal disagrees with several of the things that Flores says. Amaryll Chanady is another writer on the subject. Scott Simpkins has thoughts on this subject, too. Going on what these writers have said, a person can find many purposes and characteristics of magical realism. With magical realism, everyday things are suddenly filled with a new meaning and beauty that has never before been seen.