Glossary
El Boom Latinamericano
A significant literary movement in the 1960s Latin America, characterized by a surge of innovative and experimental literature, often reflecting political instability and social change.
Example:
Gabriel García Márquez was a prominent figure in El Boom Latinamericano, using his writing to critique societal norms and political oppression.
Esteban
The name given by the villagers to the mysterious, beautiful drowned man whose arrival profoundly impacts their community.
Example:
The villagers were so moved by the drowned man's presence that they lovingly named him Esteban and gave him a grand funeral.
Gabriel García Márquez
A Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author, renowned for his mastery of magical realism and his critical political views.
Example:
Gabriel García Márquez's unique narrative style often blended the fantastical with the everyday, as seen in his famous novel 'Cien años de soledad'.
Hyperbole
A literary device involving extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.
Example:
Describing a character as 'so hungry they could eat a horse' is a common use of hyperbole to emphasize extreme hunger.
La Trayectoria y La Transformación
A central theme exploring the profound change and positive impact Esteban's arrival has on the previously desolate and dissatisfied village, leading them to embrace a more vibrant existence.
Example:
The villagers' decision to paint their houses and plant flowers after Esteban's funeral exemplifies la trayectoria y la transformación of their community.
Las Relaciones Interpersonales
A key theme in the story focusing on how the villagers' discovery of Esteban fosters communal unity, compassion, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Example:
The way the women initially, and then the entire village, bonded over Esteban's body illustrates the theme of las relaciones interpersonales and the human need for connection.
Magical Realism
A literary style where fantastical or mythical elements are seamlessly integrated into a realistic setting, treating the extraordinary as commonplace.
Example:
In 'Cien años de soledad', the ascension of Remedios the Beauty into heaven while folding laundry is a classic example of magical realism.
Symbolism
The use of objects, people, or events to represent abstract ideas or deeper meanings beyond their literal sense.
Example:
A dove often serves as symbolism for peace and purity in literature.