Reflective Blog for Chapters 3-6

There were many interesting motifs and themes intertwined within chapters 3-6 of One Hundred Years of Solitude. I thought that the constant changing of time periods actually had a flow and I could understand it, for the most part. It is interesting how within only three chapters it seems like a whole book has passed because Marquez has already illustrated the lives of the Buendia family through three generations. The theme of solitariness is intriguing if you analyze its cause. Solitude comes from losing relationships, whether it is a loss from their memory, reality or sanity. Solitude is also born from loss, sickness, sin or fear. Solitude came from outside events and, for some people (like Rebeca) from their internal character.
It was interesting how the theme of rebellion was sustained. From the last chapters, Jose Arcadio rebelled when he left with the gypsies; as did Ursula. Jose Arcadio Buendia also rebelled with his bold inventions and his explorations of the world beyond Macondo. However, Marquez has become creative in representing this theme. For example, It is ironic how Rebeca takes comfort in eating dirt and peeling crusted paint from the walls. She rebels by continuing this habit even when Ursula puts "cow gall unto the coutyard and...hot chili on the walls". They are trying to tame nature. This could be symbolic of h ow Europeans try to tame natives. This could possibly be foreshadowing for when colonists come to Macondo with their own societal expectations.
I thought that it was funny how Cataure, the Indian, thought that Insomnia was contagious and how everyone "caught it". It was really funny how Jose Arcadio Buendia puts a sign on a cow telling everyone what to do with it.
Jose Arcadio and his brother Aureliano are a juxtaposition. Jose Arcadio has a free spirit while Aureliano is more rational and scientific.
It's very interesting how the society of Macondo seems to be evolving to become more modern in such a short period of time. They have already been exposed to Christianity and they have a slight democracy (with a two-party system). I think this evolution is occuring so fast because the only people who seem to be skeptics is Jose Arcadio Buendia. However, this fast evolution caused a war for stupid reasons.
I was pretty frustrated with Amaranta when she wouldn't marry Crespi and causes him to kill himself. That was pretty selfish.

Active Reading for Chapters 1-2

The town of Macondo was "built on the bank of a river of clear water that ran along a bed of polished stones...like prehistoric eggs (1). The village is magical. This simile gives the connotation of an isolated and peaceful town without modern conflicts. It makes the town seem like it's running sustainably. The character, Colonel Aureliano Buendia Macondo is immediately introduced. He is the main character of this novel. The concept of alchemy and gypsies are also illustrated. This shows that the villagers are interested in technology and are curious. It also shows that they are not Christian, and therefore, Europeans have probably not had an encounter with them. The gypsies' culture is connected to the souls of people and a little bit to nature. This is exemplified when a wise old man, Melquiades,is healed. Before that, "death followed him everywhere (5)". This personification of death shows that the villagers believe in spirits and some sort of higher entities. That is also exemplified when they personified mercury as the "smell of the devil (6)". It is a bit ironic how he is healed because the gypsies are younger than him and are more free-spirited and naive. This astounds the people of Macondo, and because of this, fears are suppressed. Even a little bit of knowledge suppresses fear. The archetype of knowledge vs. ignorance is introduced. Ursula is Jose's wife. She has a voice, and disagrees with Jose sometimes. She especially disagrees with him when he becomes obsessed with new technology introduced by the gypsies and by alchemy. He even burns up her gold. The village of Macondo, even though it is isolated and primitive has some scientific knowledge and beliefs. For example, the "seven metals that corresponded to the seven planets". This is almost accurate, since there are eight planets in our solar system. The awe of healing and the unknown, curiosity, is what drives the advancement of technology in the town. It gives them hope. Jose has the perfect family, house and life. "His house...had been the best in the village (8)". However, from the apex, you can only go down. This could be foreshadowing for bad things to come. Even though Macondo is a small primitive village, it is ironic how they don't know the surrounding areas, are not very close to the land and are very materialistic. They are just a primitive version of modern cities. "The world became eternally sad (11)" through their trek to find the shoreline. This is foreshadowing, using the motif of "after the darkest part of the night, light comes". They finally find water. Ursula is the archetype of a careless, free and self-absorbed woman. She even sleeps with her own son and runs off with gypsies without telling her husband. When she finally comes back she acts as if nothing has happened. Like Jose, she is impulsive. However, Jose is impulsive in diving into a new project and is productive in his impulsive actions. This is because of curiosity, which is a reoccurring theme. Macondo is a very interesting and different village from any other modern village or primitive village and this is because of the gypsy ideals it holds.

Reflective Blog for Chapters 1-2

In the beginning of the chapter, the author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, begins with using the phrase "many years later". This immediately captured my attention because it puts the reader right into the story. The author introduced the setting, Macondo as a magical village with "adorable houses" and a ravishing river running along its edge. He illustrated the world in which the villagers lived as innocent and isolated from the modern world. This immediately made me make the connection of this village to the Native Americans and how their entire world was destroyed by the appearance of the "white man". This could be foreshadowing for destruction that might take place in the village of Macondo because of future changes. The motif of dishonest gypsies is introduced. The gypsies seem to symbolize the free soul of the villagers. I think that Jose Arcadio Buendia becomes quickly passionate about a certain thing and becomes obsessed with it. However, when an obstacle comes, he loses interest and quickly finds a new obsession to follow. He doesn't seem like a really good father and neglects his children and his wife most of the time. The motif of a father-son conflict is introduced. Ursula, Jose's wife, seems to be a little bit feisty and can speak her mind. She is a strong woman, rather than a submissive wife, which is often shown in stories. She is sort of a leader and can take charge in the family. Aureliano is the archetype of a wise old man in the story. Ursula is also careless, shown when she drops the flask of mercury. The technological ignorance of the villagers is exemplified by the fact that Jose and Ursula don't worry about the broken mercury (since it is toxic). It seems like the village of Macondo is very materialistic (exemplified by its interest in alchemy). This is a bit ironic, since most primitive villages in North America seem to be very in touch with nature and not materialistic. However, the villagers, especially Jose, are very curious and have a thirst for knowledge. Their fear for gypsies, for example, is eliminated when they learn about them. It seems like Macondo is an orderly, hardworking, village. Jose also seems very recklessly outgoing and acts on impulse. He is not satisfied with his life and therefore becomes readily obsessed. I was very interesting how Ursula had no shame in incest (two times). One time with her husband, being cousins. Another time with her own son! It was also interesting how the gypsies were so open about it. This shows that the village is very liberal and have the ideals of the gypsies. These ideals are probably that people can do whatever they want as long as they're happy and free. Jose, however, represents a more conservative and sturdy person with strong held beliefs.