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Abstract

The current study looks at the narrative mode magical realism of Sherman Alexie’s novel Flight. It is a mix of realistic narrative and naturalistic techniques with surreal elements of dream and fantasy. The study has focused on the character of Zits (Michael) who is also the protagonist of the novel. Zits. His original name is Michael but he is nicknamed as Zits because of his skin disease. The present study used qualitative content analysis as a tool of research. The study used Postmodernism as a theoretical framework focusing on the significance of using magical realism as a narrative technique in the novel. The technique of magical realism was needed for portrayal of Zits’ psychological transformational journeys. He was always involved in gruesome retaliations against the society. He even hated his father, who was an American-Indian, until he embarked on the psychological transformational journeys which made him realize that forgiveness is preferable than vengeance since it is the only option for him to find peace of mind and not via revenge or by retaliations. This finally leads him to accept his foster parents who physically and morally mistreated him in his childhood. The technique of magical realism helped the novelist build a world-view he wanted the readers to experience. The study revealed that the technique of magical realism was helpful to the novelist to portray the transformation of the character of Zits. It revealed how the transformed identities of an emotionally wounded male Indian orphan assisted him in considering the evilness of colonialism, racism and violence. It aided him in seeing the need of mending those wounds after realizing empathy, forgiveness, compassion and exploring reconciliation with others as realistic paths out of grieves and sufferings. It's easy to express hopes after all the hardships in the form of shames and destructive ideas.