In the 1970s, Argentina was hit by political and social distress. With the death of President Peron and his wife Isabel, who rose to power – before being overthrown by a military junta led by Jorge Videla – Argentina and its people were traumatized by terrorist violence "causing hundreds of dead” and thousands of “disappeared” (“Chronology: Argentina”). This era of violence became known as the "Dirty War" and many of the people who opposed the current socio-political system were devastated or killed. Several of those killed identified as gay or Marxist. Manuel Puig's novel Kiss of the Spider Woman tells the story of two imprisoned men belonging to different spectrums of unacceptable norms that run counter to 1970s Argentinian society: one is a political threat a Marxist (Valentin) and the other a homosexual (Molina). At the beginning of the novel, the two characters are presented as polar opposites who cannot seem to get along; which later, their relationship evolves into one that requires them to have a real desire to get closer despite the prejudices that Argentine society instills in them. Through the films Molina describes, we, the reader, see the progression of both characters as they realize they are no different from each other and create a special bond. Puig's uses of the film The Cat People, footnotes, and Molina's death as symbols highlight the idea of ​​magical realism. Through the use of magical realism, Puig allows the reader to become more open-minded towards different societal ideals, including homosexuality. Magical realism, by definition, is a literary style that addresses social concerns, but obscures the...... middle of paper ...... understanding the need for a change in their perspective towards others; mainly homosexuals. The main point of using magical realism is its fantastical aspects. Fantasy provides a safe, controlled environment for the reader, characters, and author to freely express worldly ideas and thoughts that cannot be defined or changed by the prejudices and harshness of the real world. Molina and his homosexuality are portrayed as a testimony of defiance and to remind the reader of the problems of all societies, not just those of homosexuals. Puig wishes for a world in which oppressed people like him could freely walk the streets and no longer fear living in a fantasy. Works Cited Puig, Manuel. Kiss of the Spider Woman. Trans. Thomas Colchie. New York: Vintage, 1979. Print. “Timeline: Argentina”. BBC News. BBC, October 7, 2012. Web. April 19. 2014.