Class discussion and my analysis of Úrsula 10/23/08

Good morning,

Today's class has made me a bit less confused about Gabriel García Márquez vision behind his beautiful piece of literature. With that said, he as a person is a complete mystery. After Listening to Emily discuss García Márquez as a person and his family background, I have come to realize that One Hundred Years of Solitude has many different autobiographical characters and situations from García Márquez's childhood and adulthood. I must say though that his connections with Fidel Castro not only shock me, but make me a bit uncomfortable. His book does not seem to contain any of the political problems that are currently happening, nor drug issues, nor random Titus-like killings. I am interested to see if more of García Márquez's past shows up within later chapters and / or character blog posts.

I am currently in charge of explaining Úrsula Iguarán, wife of main character José Arcadio Buendía. She is one the most interesting characters within the novel. She seems less stressed and anxious than most of the characters, specifically her husband. Although acting as the understanding, supportive wife in the beginning, as José Arcadio Buendía different excursions and experiments blow up in his face, Úrsula is the first person to say I told you so. She does show a lot of emotion which is withheld from many of the characters, however, I do believe in the long run, Úrsula is arguably the strongest characters in the novel, carrying a strong, confident head on her shoulders. She is the head of the household, in charge of everyone and everything that comes in and out of her house, and makes sure that everyone knows it. She is a very round character and is sure to bring more twists and turns to the novel as I continue to read.