As I continue to read, solitude begins to take on new and more meanings all of the time. As we discussed in class on Friday, there is the obvious issue of individual solitude that seems to be present in basically every character. There are of course varying degrees of solitude brought on by various factors, whether it is due to alienation, a lack of emotion, depression, characters becoming hermit-like, or perpetuated by the result on an event or circumstance. But interestingly, I am discovering the issue of solitude is also evident in regards to death. This works on two levels. First, there is the eternal solitude that the person who dies will experience, but it also operates in the sense of the solitude that their death creates for others. The further I get into the book it seems not only the more deaths there are, but more premature deaths. This is most definitely related to the aspect of war, but these deaths nonetheless continue to create solitude in one form or another. Related to this, I also find interesting that even though many characters die, we are continually being introduced to new ones. Off the top, one might think that the introduction of a new character when one has died would almost serve as a replacement (not in terms of the character themselves, but as another person in the lives of the characters) and that the solitude would not be so rampant. I have thoroughly enjoyed the multiple ways that García Márquez has worked the theme of solitude. He very much so plays on the ironic aspects of solitude in the fact that solitude is only increased as Macondo becomes more advanced and technologically progressive. In the same light, as more people and money begins to come into the town, problems increase and solitude prevails, as people continue to drift further away from themselves and one another.
March 20, 2007 at 6:05 pm |
Hi Kerry
I think your comments regarding the influences that can create solitude are on the mark. I too found while I was reading that the word ‘solitude’ seemed to appear in many places almost obscure at times. I started to circle the word every time I found it. Solitude can come in the form of death, isolation, depression and alienation. For instance when Colonel Aureliano Buendia was lost in the solitude of his immense power. To me, in this instance solitude is not so much a negative but a condition of life. There’s a saying that “it’s lonely at the top” which is likely what Aureliano Buendia was feeling. Throughout the book it seems that one cannot escape the reality of solitude. For me, the title of the book has really come to life.
March 21, 2007 at 5:48 am |
I definitely agree with what you’re saying regarding solitude. Each character in the novel seems to experience this in a different way and have difference reasons behind it. Like Cheryl said, it seems like almost no one can escape solitude and this, is my opinion, adds interest to the book.