W&L LACS 256 2015 discussion

1. The Magic and the Real
a. How might one argue that One Hundred Years of Solitude is a realistic novel, despite its fantastic and magical elements?
b. How do the ‘fantastic and magical elements’ make us question are own absurdities (JABuendia tied to tree; the Plague of Insomnia…)
c. Why/how/when is reality ‘magical’ to those on Macondo

2. In what ways can One Hundred Years of Solitude be seen as a “ fable “ about…
a. … the history of LA/C?
b. … the history of human civilization?
c. To what extent do you think that One Hundred Years of Solitude is a novel particularly concerned with Latin American culture and politics? To what extent is it a novel designed to appeal broadly to all readers?

3. The famous critic Harold Bloom calls One Hundred Years of Solitude “The Bible of Macondo.” To what extent is this true? To what extent does One Hundred Years of Solitude pattern itself after—or diverge from—the Bible?

4. Comment on the following themes or motifs:

a. Modernity and progress
b. Memory – dreaming – history
c. Time
d. Dynamism vs Stasis
e. Death
f. Solitude -- To what extent is the novel’s title, One Hundred Years of Solitude, an important commentary on the narrative in the book? What connections does the book make between knowledge and solitude? Is solitude an unavoidable condition of human nature?
g. Do these rise to the level of themes: matriarchy, incest, family, the Edenic


5. Comment on its images

6. Comment on its symbolism

7. Comment on most memorable passage