"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.

Ruben Dario (9/29/08)

Ruben Dario wants to let go of the present. He finds it anachronistic. His liberal views and thinking is making him want to leave what is stale behind. He wants to break with what is traditional. He finds a “lack of mental elevation”, the works of the New Americans still vain, and he questions his grandfather’s choice of authors, the rhythm of the poetry, and even his wife as he is more interested in his lover. Dario desires to preserve his writing as unique to him. I think that he does not respect any kind of imitation as imitation of his work by someone else would make that work less of the person’s “personal treasure.” I think that Dario, although he has in his own words, “the hand of Marquis” wants to extract himself from the upper class writing and current literature. He is not inspired by it and he does not want to move forward. He would rather search in the literature of the past for inspiration instead of in the literature and ideas of the present times.

Facundo Overview (9/21/08)

Facundo is a very vivid description of the Republic of Argentina, which at some point he was president of. Sarmiento gives a clear layout of the geography of Argentina with its extensive forests in the north, the plains of the central zone and the south with its land and sea. He also gives a description of the people who inhabit all the various regions. Apart from Buenos Aires, which is a very “Europeanized” city comprised of Europeans, Spaniards and natives, the rest of Argentina is a vast country with open spaces, pampas, solitary regions, where the strongest survive. Argentina is the formation of many different provinces and the expanse of the land is incredible. Argentina is a land of many different and vivid characters. Outside of Buenos Aires the country is rural and filled with a variety of vivid characters. Quiroga is a part of this Argentina. Quiroga embodies a man not polished by European culture. The Argentina that is rawer and not civilized. Sarmiento tells the tale of a man,”tiger of the llanos”( being from the central part of the country) who from the time of his youth was untamable. Quiroga in a way is a foil to the tiger. However, Quiroga did rise to be general later in his life and was accepted in society. He was a scoundrel and a compulsive gambler though and had all the traits of an uncouth being. The author categorizes him as a natural man and barbarian.

Sab Analysis (9/17/08)

I will be analyzing Sab's love for Carlota and the ways that Sab demonstrates his unrequited love. I hope to cover many aspects of this love and even possibly consider including references to the lottery and the night of the storm. Sab's love for Carlota is mentioned throughout the entire book and has not been analyzed fairly much up to this point, which is where I hope to help.

Sab Chapter 1 Part II (9/14/08)

When Sab and Teresa meet at midnight, he tells her that by creating his happiness she will be creating her own. She is confused by this statement, but then listen to his incredible declaration of love. Teresa listened carefully as Sab's true emotions and feelings are shown to her during which she forgets his color and class. She now sees a man passionately in love. Sab is filled with desperation, emotion,pain, unhappiness, and torment. However, we are still left with the question of why Sab's happiness will help Teresa's.

Sab Chapters 2 and 3 Discussion Questions (9/7/08)

Chapter 2

Sab is the story of personal discovery within its characters. The writer is making herself an accomplice to out unknown present opinion. The author is willing to take part in our opinion of what is to unfold.

Sab does not seem to be a white criollo. He definately has the mix of two races, but is not a pure mulatto. His lips show African heritage, but his nose is aquiline and his hair is shiny and full. On the other hand, Enrique is a blue-eyed young man with blond hair. Carlota is an innocent, beautiful "criolla" with chestnut colored hair, dark eyes, and a ravishing figure. Teresa is plain with no emotion in her face. Her eyes, although dark green, generally show no expression.

Chapter 3

In her youth Carlota had a very romantic notion of what her life would be with her love. She sees her tropical surroundings as she sees her love. Her love is brilliant, alive, and "bursting with life" similar to Cuba. Cuba is heady, hot, and full of beauty.

Both George Otway and don Carlos de B want the best for their children. In the case of George Otway, who was a peddler, he always strived for more. His son Enrique is similar to him, as he also seeks forune, social standing, and acceptance. On the other hand, don Carlos de B is a romantic deep down. He married his love who had no dowry and succumbs to Carlota's wishes as he just wants her to be happy. Don Carlos de B has no social or monetary ambitions similar to Carlota.

Marriages had to be approved by both families. Marriage was also an economic contract to benefit both parties. However, the fact that George Otway had been a peddler before his rise to fortune had a negative effect on the family of don Carlos de B. Although don Carlos de B approved Carlota's suitor, his family did not and removed part of her inheritance. The reader learns that if the whole family is not in sync and agreement on the match, changes can be made quickly on issues of inheritance.

Religion was also an important issue. The Roman Catholic church dominated. Since Enrique Otway's family did not have Catholics, Carlota's family found him undesirable as they were fearful he was a heretic.