"One Hundred Years of Solitude" Aureliano Segundo's Hereditary Memory

In Chapter 10 Aureliano Segundo recognizes Malquiades at once despite the fact that they have never met, as Malquiades supposedly died well before Aureliano Segundo's existence. However, Aureliano Segundo possesses a sort of "hereditary memory" that enables him to recognize him. I think that this "hereditary memory" is the memory of other's descriptions of Melquiades. It seems as if the stories about Malquiades, the descriptions of him, and consequently the memory of him have been passed down the generations from Jose Arcadio Buendia to Aureliano Segundo. This memory in general seems inherent, as it has been exposed to him throughout his childhood perhaps almost as commonly as language had been exposed to him. Memory refers to the faculty that one haves of remembering or recalling previous experiences, facts, and descriptions. However, many times a memory may be untrue, as a particular event may have happened such a long time ago that we may forget the actual event of the past and many times can recreate the event in our mind in a false image. In regards to this particular sense of a "hereditary memory"", it is impossible to completely revisit the event in our minds, as we were not actually present for that event. Stories or descriptions from others may not give us a correct description of the event, especially if we hear them from those who were not present at the event. Therefore, it is impressive that Aureliano Segundo remembers Malquiades "at once". Malquiades made such a profound impact on people of Macondo, most notably Jose Arcadio Buendia, that it seems that his image and memory will be preserved throughout the generations just as anything that is hereditary.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" The Power of Ursula

There is definitely an underlying tone of matriarchal power in,”One hundred years of solitude”. Ursula shows her power in many ways. Although Arcadio is in charge, a rigid dictator terrorizing and imparting his will on all his subjects with his rules and regulations, when Ursula confronts him he cowers. Arcadio is ready to open fire at her but she just seems to push through any authority fearlessly and whips him into submission. It is almost as if she is severely scolding him. In addition, Ursula without thought of any consequence releases the prisoners and leaves. There does not seem to be any reluctance to her taking over the post of power and establishing a new regime. She just does it and nobody stands up to her. It is as if everyone needs her to take charge so they can return to some kind of peaceful existence. Like a mother protecting her children. They seem to want her to put her foot down. She protects and decides for Macondo. In one instance she changes everything. Ursula also controls the feelings of her husband as she realizes that by not complaining to him she protects him from what is disastrous in their life and keeps him happy in his “dead” state. She also stands up to Father Nicanor. He stands no chance. Ursula just tells him what she is doing. However, as decisive as Ursula is she is not lacking in passion. One feels her energy with her every move. “This is what I am doing and that is that.” Around her, her life is caving in but she will fight for her “brood”.

Burgos "I Was My Own Route" (10/30/08)

Burgos' poem is struggling with having to let go of what is expected of him. Burgos seems to want to be somebody traditional, but he is being pulled forward into a new world. "The desperate flapping wings of the old guard" is the pull towards what is habitual in the present, but he is taking a different path towards something unfamiliar. Within him I think he is secretly pleased that he is able to take a new route and break with the past. He is taking a route that is solely his own, so the poet's present now is his choosing. It is a clean slate with no history or expected future attached to it. He is like a fresh bulb in unplanted soil that is ready to grow and bloom. It seems he wants to be true to himself and not play "hide and seek" with himself, and accept himself as he is. However, a struggle is evident as although he is on his own route, he goes back on his desire to advance forward and is relieved to receive a homecoming.

Guillen's "Bars" (10/27/08)

Bars and taverns are found throughout the world, but what the writer enjoys are the ones that are close to the sea. It is a place for him to relax, have a drink and engage in idle talk with whom ever is there. I think that he enjoys the simplicity of the bars he goes to. Maybe these bars are filled with fishermen or men who work on boats. He can talk with them with no complications, no ties, and no conflict. These bars seem to be a form of relaxation for him. What I feel he also writes is that these bars or taverns are very much the same throughout the world.

Walking Around (10/23/08)

Neruta seems tired of his world. Not only is he tired of himself from a personal standpoint, but he condemns the world he lives in. It seems that he is struggling with his present world. He is pessimistic of his life and his every day. However, he humors himself and secretly imagines himself doing something outrageous, something out of his ordinary existence, something that would shock and "scare a notary public". This could be a yearning and desire for notoriety. His present life is aimless with no sense for a future. He is lonely and is not comfortable with his surroundings. I feel that what really is bothering him is his "walk" with no purpose. Perhaps this feeling of not having a purpose is what is making him depressed.

The Feather Pillow (10/13/08)

It is apparent that this marriage from the beginning is ill-suited. The young fanciful bride Alicia obviously loves her husband, although she is not encouraged to show any kind of passion towards him. Her husband never lets his love for her be shown and doing this he shuts her down. Everything surrounding Alicia is not conducive to love and passion. Her husband’s brusque manner towards her, and the “the glacial brilliance of stucco” where she lives makes Alicia wilt and cower. She succumbs and relinquishes her personal dreams of having a loving relationship.

Over time Alicia falls ill and no amount of care can rehabilitate her to her former self. Day by day her life force is vanishing. A monster is finally found in her pillowcase and her demise is blamed on this atrocious being sucking the blood out of Alicia’s body. Like her marriage this hairy bestial creature has eaten at her being. Her husband’s lack of passion and detachment destroyed her emotional side meanwhile the creature devoured her physical side. Alicia stood no chance. Without emotional strength she had no chance of surviving a physical attack. This monster could be an actual monster or a metaphorical monster.

The Opposite of Ornate and Rhetorical Poetry (10/6/08)

Marti prefers the simple world. Although this world is harsh at times in its simplicity, as is described by Marti, “the fetid viscous traces…”, and “vile, the cowards,” it is apparent that he prefers being in touch with this basic world than being without it. This world is the opposite of the ornate and rhetorical. This simple world is not embellished with superfluous adjectives to make it seem more beautiful. It is what it is. The ornate and rhetorical, however depends on vivid and complex descriptions to captivate its audience. Marti in his description emphasizes that poetry should be just like the simple world, full of nobility and truth. He feels that poetry should be an aesthetic experience of the truth, which will enable him to leave the world. He believes that the two ways two leave the world are through death or the aesthetic experience that poetry can give.