Marginalized Visibility: Exploring Magical Realism and Social Injustice in If You Could See the Sun

This study examines the theme of invisibility in Ann Liang’s novel If You Could See the Sun, focusing on protagonist Alice’s struggle against marginalization. Set in the elite environment of Airington, a prestigious school in Beijing, Alice contends with significant socioeconomic disparities between herself and her affluent classmates. The novel employs the device of magical realism, particularly through Alice’s unique ability to become invisible, to explore themes of invisibility and marginalization. This seemingly fantastical power serves as a metaphor for Alice’s feelings of being unseen and undervalued in a world dominated by privilege. By analysing Alice’s initial use of her invisibility for financial gain and her subsequent journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment, this study aims to enlighten the complex relationship between her marginalized status and her transformation. If You Could See the Sun not only depicts the personal growth of a young girl but also offers a commentary on the social and psychological impacts of marginalization, enriched by the novel’s adept use of magical realism.