Ok so these aren't two separate themes but religion seems to play a large role in this novel, but in different ways. We see religion (or aspects of it) in many areas of the novel. We have the priest, Father Nicanor (who of course represents the church and the Catholic faith). We of course see Catholic traditions, like the entire house going into mourning when Remedios dies and the wedding is postponed. Interestingly enough the “belief” in religion inspires a “non-religious” act. Because of the wedding being postponed and the return José Arcadio, Rebecca begins this infatuation with her “brother” which results in them both being exiled from the family. It is as though religion first brings the family together to mourn and then turns around to tear them apart.
Then of course we have a war going on (contrary to all religious beliefs..violence is not the answer guys—God said so). The cool thing about this war is it basically happened—the Banana Massacres. This war took place right around the time Gabriel was born (which means he has no real recollection of it). Although his grandfather was much involved, the idea of him bringing up a past war and putting it into present context is just a great example of his mastery of playing with time. He has taken the past and made it present and one would no know that it was a distant memory/story.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment