Chapter 20

Magical Realism

The magical realism of this chapter are of course how Aureliano III is born with a pig tail. Not only that, but the way Aureliano II just forgets about the newborn so easily, and nothing is known about the baby's whereabouts. This isn't rational or explainable in all actuality so that's where the magic sets in. The way that he and his aunt also make love every night and don't really give much acknowledgement to the ants is magical as well. But the main one is the way a mysterious wind comes along and takes the town away with every bit of memory of it.

Character

Aureliano II again goes through changes. He has to deal with the deforemity of his newborn son, the lost of his love, and realization of what the gypsy stories were about. It seems as if it is all too much for him at one time. Then for his memory to be complete wiped away is not helpful.

Summary

Gaston has finally got his business up and running and has to leave town. While out of town he becomes knowledgeable of Armanta Ursula's affair and refuses to return. Aureliano II's friends leave the town and the town becomes more desolate but it doesn't stop the love he and Armanta Ursula share with other. The Buendia house is in bad shape, but yet the two continue with their lovemaking and ignore the infestation of red ants. Because of their incest they have a child named Aureliano III, who is born with a pig tail, and the birth of the child also causes Armanta Ursula to die from a major loss of blood. Aureliano II finds her body and yet the red ants are eating it. Because of his depression he goes back to Nigromanta and forgets his newborn and also becomes a alcoholic. Afterwards he again goes into solitude to finish deciphering the stories and sees that it is the history of the Buendias. As he reads he sees that it is telling what is happening in his present life right now, but before long a wind comes and takes away all the memory he has along with the town.

Quotes

"Then don't wear yourself out searching.........many years ago there used to be a street here with that name and in those days people had the custom of naming their children after streets."

This quote is significant to showing to how still up to this point in time the memory of the Buendias and theie family along with othere important events are completely lost.

"The first of the line is tied to a tree and the last is being eaten by the ants."

This quote is significant to showing what the gypsy stories revealed to Aureliano II and got him to realize it was recording everything going on at that single moment.

Theme

Mystery and Completion- These are the themes because the problem is solved as far as what the gypsy stories were about, but yet there is mystery because none of it seems to make sense. There is no really understanding in the end.

Chapter 19

Magical Realism



I truly feel the magical realism is how Aureliano II comes into contact with Pilar. She seemed to have just dissappeared earlier on in the book, and foe him just to meet her so randomly seems kind of magical in a sense. Then on top of that, she is trying to offer his wisdom, which is kind of contradictory to her "hooking days".











Character





Aureliano II obviously goes through changes in this chpater. He finally realizeing his feelings for women, even if it happens to be his aunt. He is experiencing manhood in a sense by going to see women and attending bars. Basically he has found his coming of age.












Summary



Armanta Ursula returns from school along with a new husband named Gaston, but he only goes with her and realizes that their love is a thing of the past. upon her return she wants to give life back to the town, but this impossible. Aureliano II also tries to help but only finds that no one in the town remembers the Buendia family. In the midst of these hard trials Aureliano develops a true love for his aunt, Armanta Ursula. Although his love for her is requited and has to find pleasure with his friends by going to hooker house and bars. Along his visits he sees his great-great grandmother Pilar who tries to give him wisdom. It seems kind of pointless though, because he just goes to be with a black hooker named Nigromanta. Meanwhile Gaston is really not content in Mocondo so he looks to fulfilling his dreams of making an airmail service. Since he is so caught up in his work, Aureliano II takes charge of the opportunity to tell his aunt how she feels and she returns the favor giving in to the incest.

Quotes

"Good Lord..........it is obvious that there's no woman in this house!"

This is significant to showing the realization that Armanta Ursula has discovering there is no one left in the Buendia house.

"You can tell me later........I forgot that today's the day to put the quicklime on the anthills."

This quote is significant to showing how Aureliano II is anxious to tell his true feelings to his aunt.

Theme




Incest- This is the theme of the chapter because the coming together of Armanta Ursula and her nephew seems to be the main focus of the chapter.

Chapter 18

Magical Realism

The magical realism in this chapter is the way that Aureliano II sees the ghost of Melquiades. It is unnatural for hi to see a ghost and talk to it occasionally, but it is even more unnatural that the ghost gives him hints to deciphering the stories. This is where the magic sets in in this chapter.

Character

The Buendia household itself goes through the most changes in this chapter. Not only are they basically in poverty but the main one's taking care of the house are slowly dwindling away. This is hurtful to the household and eventually takes a big toll on them especially after the main character passes away.

Summary

Aureliano II continues to be in the laboratory of Melquiades working, seeing the ghost occasionally as well. The ghost gives Aureliano II clues to deciphering the stories, which can't be understood till they are one hundred years old. Meanwhile, the Buendia family is still in poverty, but yet survives off of the food that Petro sends to them every now and again. Santa Sofia has also been taking care of the family over the years but yet gives up and just leaves with no real sense of direction. Fernanda no the other hand just dwells in the past while writing to Armanta Ursula till her death. Right after her death, Jose Arcadio II returns after being in solitude. He lied about studying and has really been waiting to inherit money. Unfortunately there is nothing for him when he returns and is left alone in the Buendia house with nothing but the past. But eventually he finds the gold of Ursula that Ursula Iguaran and shares it with the children as well as becoming friends with Aureliano II. Their relationship with each other grows strong but it doesn't last because Jose Arcadio is killed in his bath and his gold is taken by the younger children.

Quotes

"I give up....This is too much house for my poor bones."

This is significant to showing how Fernanda age was setting in and she coudldn't write to A. Ursula any more.

"You can have them........The last man who read these books must have been Issac the Blindmind, so condsider well what you're doing."

This shows how no one really believes the answer to the gypsy stories will be found.

Theme

Truth- This seems to be the theme of the chapter because most answers are being revealed finally, and everyone is being honest and open about each aspect of their life.

Chapter 17

Magical Realism




The way the town has such an instant heat wave is magical realism. For them to just get rid of five years of rain its irrational how a sudden wave of heat just up and strikes the town so randomly.This is where the magic falls into this chapter.

Character




Jose Arcadio Segundo goes through changes in this chapter by leaving his hiding spot and joining the world once again. He is also able to find love again with Petro as well as happiness. In the end pf his life he is able to pass away peacefully instead of being killed by the people that killed the workers.











Summary






With the rain ending, it gives Ursula the strength to get out or bed, or maybe it was the annoyance of the kids (giggles), and tries to reestablish the Buendia house. Along the way of fixing things she finds her great grandson Jose Arcadio Segundo studying about the gypsies. With the death of all the animals Petro and Jose Arcadio Segundo are in poverty and have to struggle to make a living. They continue to throw parities like they did when they first inherited such wealth but yet its seems to be nothing new to them, but yet they are satisfied with the happiness they receive. His brother on the other hand, Aureliano isn't giving much time to the children and this eventually leads Aureliano II to go into the solitude state as other before him. Ursula soon dies at a ripe old age along with her daughter-in law Rebeca. During this time, the town is once again "plagued" with weather issues becomes it is really hot in Mocondo. Later on Aureliano Segundo tries to provide an education for his daughter Armanta Ursula by working to get money, but yet and still his age is catching up with him, but is able to send her to a school in Europe. His brother, Jose Arcadio Segundo is also getting closer and closer to his deathbed, but he makes an advance in he effort to decipher the stories of the gypsies. The twins die at the same time, and Jose Arcadio tells Aureliano before he dies about the massacre. Sadly the the brothers are switched due to confusion and are buried in opposite graves.

Quotes

"Thats right...........and now it's time for you to start to learning how to be a silversmith."

"Poor great-great grandmother........She died of old age."

These two quotes are significant to showing how the heat affected them and caused the people of the Buendia house to see the wrong things.

Theme




Struggle-This is the theme of this chapter because everyone is having small issues that need time to get through such as the town and the heat wave, or Armanta Ursula and her education, and the gypsies story.

Chapter 16

Magical Realism

The way the rain last for five years is the magical realism. It is possible for it to rain for many days in a row, but not for many years the way it did in the story. This is not logical or rational because in reality everyone would've died.

Character

Aureliano Segundo again goes though a lot of changes. He has to deal with the constant irritation and torment of his wife which causes him to lose his possessions, and then on top of that has to try to reimburse himself, so he goes to look for Ursula's gold. Its "Topsy turvey" for him in this chapter.

Summary

Continuing from the last chapter, the rain that basically washed away all the previous evidence from the slaughter is still coming down and doesn't stop. Because of the rain, Aureliano Segundo is stuck and ends up raising his younger daughter Armanta Ursula along with his grandchild (which he doesn't know is his grandchild) Aureliano II. The rain also continues to tear his house apart along with all his animals. His wife Fernanda is also having issues because she has a problem with her uterus and her constant tormenting towards Segundo isn't helpful. It causes him to have such a bad temper he destroys all the rest of his valuables. Meanwhile, Ursula is still in her bed and is becoming real senile and isn't aware of everything in her surroundings. Segundo also eventually realizes what he has done to all their things so goes on a deep hunt for the gold, that Ursula inherited from her family, in the backyard. The children only see her as a toy that tells interesting stories about her past. The rain finally stops but takes away all the progress that Mocondo had along with it.

Quotes

"That's not true.........He was already beginning to smell when they brought him here."

This quote is significant to demonstarting how Fernanda was to Aureliano/

"I don't have any reason to shut up........Anyone that doesn't want to me can go someplace else."

This quote is significant to showing the lack of care the family had for there family members who have passed away.

Theme

Anger- This is the thene mainly because of the way Fernanda act towards Segundo and also the constany uncontrolled temper he gets throughout the chapter.

Music

Chapter 15

Magical Realism

The way the town forgets about all the killings and deaths of the workers on strike is magical. It is possible to get rid of all evidence exposing the murderers but that shouldn't erase the memory of the whole massacre completely. The town doesn't suffer from short term memory lost anymore so to forget the whole event is magical.







Character

Jose Arcadio Segundo goes through the most change sin this chapter. He tries his best to help workers in a "funk" and ends up almost losing his life over it. But when trying to get back to the town and discuss the recent events with others his efforts are pointless. Then on top of that, he has to hide from the Republicans or he will die. He goes through a lot of suffering and depression all in one time period.









Summary

Continuing from Mauricio's death in the last chapter, Meme is deeply distraught and becomes mute. Fernanda tries to help by taking her back to the the town she grew up in, but Meme goes to a monastery only to think about Mauricio for the rest of he life. Meme is also with child from Mauricio, and the nuns from the monastery bring the child to the Buendia house when it's born. Fernanda is embarrassed by the illegitimate child and hides him in the barns and later claims he was found. Meanwhile Jose Segundo helps workers go on strike against the banana plantation. In response to their strike more laws are made, but this only causes an uproar in the worker who demolish the plantation. There seems progress after this because 3,000 workers are called to a meeting to fix all problems, but they are set up and killed. The remains are put on a train along with the captive Jose Segundo. He soon escapes by jumping of the train. When returning to Mocondo he sees that an
y evidence to the recent events are gone and no one believes him when in pursuit to convince the towns people otherwise. The a rainfall comes that destroys anything else to prove the bloodbath. Yet the government still destroy all workers and deny their actions. Segundo is the last to be tracked and they catch up to him hiding in Melquiades old laboratory which hasn't changed. They are so caught up in the appearance of it that they don't see Segundo hiding. He is now scared of the outside world and hides in the gypsies room studying.

Quote

"Well tell them that we found him floating in a basket," she said smiling.

"No one will believe it," the nun said

"If they believe it in the bible." Fernanda replied, "I don't see why they shouldn't believe it from me."

This conversation between the nun and Fernanda is significant to showing how she is ashamed of meme and the illegitimate child, so she lies to hide his true identity.

Theme

Block out- This is the theme of the chapter because everyone refuses to remember the massacre that just took place and are block out any memory of it that is in their presence all because of the Republicans.

Chapter 14

Magical Realism

The fact that Ursula stays in her bed for such a long time is a magical realism. The book makes it seem that she never gets up. So how does she eat? How does she uses the bathroom? How does she wash. Of course she has Armanta Ursula coming to visit her but yet and still she can't be there all the time to help her with these needs.









Character

Armanta seems to go through the most changes in this chapter because not only does she have to prepare for her departure from the body but she also is aware of the fact that she will be dying as a virgin. It isn't a bad thing but it is kind of hurtful and depressing to her because she never settled down with someone or started a family, and got a chance to be truly and completely happy.








Summary

Everyone is in mourning over Colonel Buendia's death but yet it isn't stopping anyone from "popping" babies. Fernanda and Segundo have another child named Armanta Ursula. Unfortunately Armanta, who is the only child of Ursula left, is slowly going out of her mind by dwelling on the past. She also sees other future events including her death causing her to prepare for her funeral. She tells everyone about her death and when she will die and promises to take whatever letters the town has to those who have passed. Sadly Armanta dies at the time she says she would and still is a virgin. Because of her last child leaving her, Ursula once again goes into depression and stays in her bed for many many years, whit frequent visits from her great-great granddaughter Armanta Ursula. Meanwhile Armanta Ursula is growing to have the same instincts and interest as her father, but Fernanda insists that she plays an instrument. Even through her forced activities she has close relationship with Aureliano Segundo. She also learns English from a few Americans who also become her friends. As time goes on she falls for one the foreigners on the banana plantation named Mauricio Babilonia. They become closer and tend to go out, but it is all ended when they are caught kissing in the movies by Fernanda. Meme is then cooped up in her house. Yet they don't let Fernanda's actions stop them. Mauricio creeps over to their house to make love to Meme every night and yet they are caught again, so Fernanda puts a guard in the backyard. Persistently he tries again to see Meme, but his attempt is fatal and he is shot by the guard.

Quote

"Go away.......You've got no reason to come calling on any decent person"

"He's a very strange man........You can see in his face that he's going to die."

These two quotes are significant to showing the way that Fernanda feels about Mauricio and how she is determined to keep him away from her daughter.

Theme

Gloom- This seems to be the theme of the chapter because of the depression Ursula goes into, the death of Armanta, as well as the killing of Mauricio who Meme falls in love with.

Chapter 13

Magical Realism

It is magical how Armanta knows about her death and is already preparing for it. This is magical because not only does she predict the future but she also is preparing for her death which no one does in actuality, well at least not in the since without going through the six stages first. Another is reappearance of Fernanda when she just drifted of to heaven in the last chapter.









Character

Ursula doesn't go through any changes in this chapter but yet sh tries to change others. She wants Jose Arcadio to be a pope so bad, and wants everyone to keep her company in her old age, but this doesn't happen. Everyone basically leaves and she is by herself for a while.

Summary

Ursula is finally realized in this chapter and age is constantly catching up with her. She becomes blind in this chapter but yet no ones knows and its has no big affect since she is so used to every one's daily whereabouts and knows where everything is. In her old age she constantly pushes for Jose Arcadio II to be a pope, but he soon leaves along with Meme, and she is basically by herself in the Buendia house. She has no one to really talk to or converse with because everyone is so rapped up in their own lives. Armanta is preparing for her death, and Fernanda is concerned with influencing her beliefs on the Buendia house. Aureliano Segundo eventually leaves as well along with Petro, almost killing himself as well. He was in an eating competition with a woman named Elephant. The Buendia house is extremely lonesome until everyone returns including Meme with seventy-two. Jose Arcadio Segundo also returns trying to talk with Colonel Buendia but he doesn't get far because Buendia to set back to respond and leads himself to death.

Quote

"For heaven's sake............. watch where you're going"

"It's your fault........... You're not sitting where your suppose to."

This two quotes are significant to showing that Ursula is now blind and how no one is really noticing that she is. Yet and still this is sad because due to there lack of awareness they get upset for her not knowing where she is going.

Theme

Travel- This is the theme of this chapter because everyone seems to be going in different directions. They all leave Ursula by herself and travel in pursuit of their own destiny.

Chapter 12

Magical Realism

In this chapter, the way men die from being in love with Fernanda's beauty is magical realism. People can fall in love with some one's appearance, or basically be infatuated, but yet death is an affect of it the way the book describe it . This is where the magic plays in like her beauty is forbidden to the heart. It is also magical how Fernanda just floats away to heaven with no cause or explanation. This, in reality, is not logical , at least not in the body, but perhaps spiritual.








Character

Fernanda, instead of changing, seems to stay the same while the rest of society moves forward. She is not only unaware of the modernization, but she also just disappears. This shows a lack of development for Fernanda.

Summary

Technology really boosts in Moncondo due to the previous affects of the railroad in the previous chapter. They began to move up in modernization which attracted people to such a booming town. Even foreigners came up by Mocondo to make a banana plantation right next to it. Moncondo was thriving with entertainment as well from movies to prostitutes. This is a little overwhelming to the town's people but Fernanda is the one who is completely lost. She is ignorant to the uproar of the town and all its aspects. It is also discovered that men who are in love with her beauty are condemned to death. Eventually Fernanda mysteriously floats away to heaven. Meanwhile Colonel Aureliano is thinking hard about the morality in his participation in war and ending it. The foreign owners of the banana plantation also start a police force because of Colonel Aureliano. Even though this was for a good cause, the police force is extremely strict. This entices Colonel Buendia to want to start another war along with his sons, but it only leads to misfortune. A trigger man is sent to kills the sons and is successful at killing all but one by aiming for the permanent ashes on their head. Colonel Aureliano is deeply hurt and goes to his friend Colonel Marquez for comfort and also the hope to begin a war against them but Colonel Marquez refuses him.

Quote








"We came........Because everyone is coming"





This shows how everyone is truly becoming attracted to Mocondo and wants be apart of its constant and rapid progress.





"One of these days........I'm going to arm my boys so we can get rid of those shitty gringos!"





This quote shows how Colonel feels about the Republicans as well as the plantation owners for the death of his sons.










Theme











Progress- This is the theme because the town of Mocondo is rapidly producing things to enhance societies well being and showing modernization.

Chapter 11

Magical Realism

The obvious magical realism for this chapter is how the ashes are permanently marked upon the sons heads. People in today's society do go get ashes for Ash Wednesday. The mark tends to stay on you head for the majority of the day, but not for the rest of your life. This is where the magic sets in because its impossible to have something as light as ashes to make a permanent mark. They probably signified death to the sons, as in their ashes.

Character

Aureliano Segundo changed the most in this chapter. He fell for the the beauty of Fernanda but then just gives up on it because of a personality crisis. He contradicts the feelings he supposedly has for Fernanda because he goes back to Petro so easily. Overall Aureliano seems to be confused on where his heart really is and uses supposed rational excuses to cover himself.

Summary

In this chapter a little history about Fernanda is revealed. She has always been raised to strive for the best in life an thinks that's what she is. Unfortunately her reputation for being wealthy is fading fast due to death. But on the other hand she has a real admirer: Aureliano Segundo. He is truly having a requited love for her at first because he has to follow her around and drag her to marry him. In the end, they aren't are a well matched pair, and this drives Aureliano Segundo to constantly go back to Petro for his sexual pleasure and also the well being of the animals. Fernanda is basically "holding out" because of her morals. She also takes charge of the Buendia household by applying all the aristocratic things she has been taught in her lifetime. This brings grief once again to the house, but it doesn't stop her and her husband from having two children of their own: Meme and Jose Arcadio II. Meanwhile, the anniversary of the ending of war comes around and Colonel Buendia is honoured with the Order or Merit, but yet he refuses it. Even though he denied it angrily, his seventeen sons still celebrate with him. they are soon taken to get ashes for Ash Wednesday, but they are mysteriously permanent marks to their foreheads until the day the pass away. Even though, two of the sons come into contact with Rebeca, which also means they came into contact with what caused a lot of grief and solitude: ice. They end up being successful at making a railroad connection to the ice factory they build.

Quotes

"The most obscene thing I've ever seen in my life,......... I married a Sister of Charity"

This is when Aureliano Segundo realizes that him and Fernanda aren't a match for each other. They are two different people.

"Now I'm convinced too late............that I would have done you a great favour if I'd let them shoot you."

This is the realization that Colonel Buendia had a chance to change events of the past but didn't take it.

Theme

Mystery- The chapter itself has a lot of questions that can't be answered. There is no definite reason behind any of the events. For example how the ashes stay on the sons head or the way Aureliano feelings fluxiate, and also the random and yet constant discovery of Jose Arcadio Buendio's studies and why they are attracted to it.