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Uses of Archetype, Foreshadow, and Symbolism in One Hundred Years of Solitude

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Uses of Archetype, Foreshadow, and Symbolism in One Hundred Years of Solitude



Throughout all works of world literature, certain passages will have special significance to the plot progression of that novel. This key passage must provide insight upon the overall theme of that work through characterization, symbolism, and imagery. In Gabriel García Márquez's novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, the passage selected for commentary uses the literary techniques of archetype, foreshadow, and symbolism to inform characterization. The concept of consanguineous love affairs is also reinforced in this passage along with the idea of the necessity of outside influence on a family. These concepts inform the characterization of …show more content…

This text reveals more information upon the theme of cyclic occurrences throughout the work.

The name José Arcadio also holds much symbolic significance. The text describes previous José Arcadios as impulsive and outgoing, although they liked to retain much control over their domestic situations. José Arcadio Segundo, on the other hand, resembled past Aurelianos. He was an insurrectionist, as he led the strike against the banana company. Similarly, Colonel Aureliano Buendía commanded the civil war many years earlier. He also endeavored to translate Melquíades' manuscripts in his later life, to escape the pains of the massacre that he witnessed; Aureliano Buendía did the same in order to forget about his involvement in the wars. Also, at his death José Arcadio Segundo dies with his eyes open; Aureliano Buendía was born in the same way. Throughout his entire life, he shows little signs of representing the stereotypical José Arcadio. This reversal of characterization is quite symbolic in that one expects José Arcadio Segundo to behave like his namesakes; instead his behavior more closely resembles that of Aureliano Buendía.

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