Magic Realism

Magic realism is a technique often employed in literature, especially within a culture's folklore and stories. Magic realism inserts unusual, and sometimes startling, concepts into an otherwise ordinary story. James, the coyote, is an example in this story. When Etta encounters him at first, she is not sure whether he will be friendly or will eat her. Not only does James turn out to be friendly, but he also talks and becomes Etta's confidante on the trip. This is very unexpected to come across a talking coyote, however, Etta accepts it without any real question. James keeps Etta from harm and even projects their next moves in order to keep Etta focused.

Etta also accepts other instances of magic realism, too, such as her sister's telling her that if you talk to dead fish skulls, they will come back to life. Etta travels with fish...