put Amaranta in the hands of a woman who offered to nurse her
Why does José Arcadio view children, especially babies, as mentally deficient or burdens? Especially in the context of a novel about how a family evolves from generation to generation, what is the significance of each generation beginning as an impediment to the family's success?
While the sad inten'ogation of the snake-man was taking place, he made his way through the crowd up to the first row, where the gypsy girl was, and he stopped behind her. He pressed against her back. The girl tried to separate herself, but Jose Arcadia pressed more strongly against her back. Then she felt him. She remained motionless against him, trembling WiUl surprise and fear unable to believe tl,e evidence, and finally she turned her , head and looked at him wilh a lremulous smile.
What statement is Márquez making about sexuality, especially sexuality as viewed through a psychoanalytic lens?
and where he tried to remember her face and found before hjm the face of Ursula
Through a psychoanalytic lens, how is José Arcadio interacting with the Imaginary Order here?
Jose AJ'cadio relt his bones filling up with roam, a languid rear, and a teniblc desire to weep.
Why do these terrifying emotions lead José Arcadio to long for this woman? What are the implications here about rape and sexual assault?
mOllkey meat and snake stew
What is the symbolism of animals in José Arcadio's and Úrsula's marriage?
UBut there'll be no morc kilJings in this town because of YOll.1l
What are the implications of José Arcadio's decision to blame Úrsula for his own decisions? Why does Úrsula not respond, or why does Márquez choose not to include her response?
as if giving testimony on the holy scrip-tures
What is the religious dimension of the magical realism? What about the intersection between religion, magic, and science?
seduce
This is the first mention of anything romantic occurring between the husband and wife -- and this isn't even romantic; a romantic word is used, but not to describe their relationship. How does marriage function as an institution within the world of the text?
it could lead only to the past
Literally or figuratively?
and smiled once more with the full control of his restored youth
Is this hyperbole or metaphor, or does Melquíades actually age backward when he puts the dentures in? I think this nebulousness is deliberate. If so, what is its purpose/significance/effect?
Ursula paid no attention to him, although she took the children 01T to pray.
Read through a feminist lens, is Márquez's depiction of Úrsula feminist or misogynistic? Is Úrsula intended to be seen as a strong female character who stands her ground when challenged by men, or as an obstinate hag who doesn't know how to listen to the intelligent men around her? Is she somewhere in between? How does Úrsula the character defy or accept the will of Márquez the author?
By then Melquiades had aged with surprising rapidity.
Age is one of the ways in which the magical realism of this novel is expressed. By converting the aging process into something mystical, what statement is Márquez making about human growth?
broke their backs
Márquez's prose is usually lyrical and original, but here, he uses a cliché. What is the purpose, significance, and effect of this deviation from his usual style?