Friday, August 31, 2018
Jose Arcadio Buendia's Rejection of Magical Realism
Magical realism is an integral component of One Hundred Years of Solitude. Marquez tells fantastical stories with what he calls a "brick face," and his characters respond nonchalantly to supernatural events. However, there is one notable exception: Jose Arcadio Buendia. Even at the beginning of the novel, he shows an interest in science. He wonders why and how the new technology that the gypsies bring works, and he experiments with alchemy. He even brings his son, Aureliano, into his scientific world. Jose Arcadio Buendia gradually becomes more isolated from the rest of the town because he begins to reject supernatural (including religious) beliefs. The townspeople of Macondo are united in a way by their acceptance of the supernatural. For example, when Father Nicanor is preaching, he drinks chocolate and rises six inches off the ground. According to Marquez, "No one doubted the divine origin of the demonstration except Jose Arcadio Buendia" (82). Jose Arcadio Buendia is ostracized in the town for his interest in science, but also for his questioning of the supernatural. Eventually, the townspeople tie him to a tree because he is driven mad by his over-inquisitive nature. In One Hundred Years of Solitude, if you don't accept the unexplainable, you become isolated, like Jose Arcadio Buendia.
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2 comments:
Lainey, I think your blog post about José Arcadio Buendía is really insightful! I definitely agree with you about the source of José Arcadio Buendía’s isolation. You also noted how refusing to accept the “unexplainable” can often lead to alienation in Macondo, with which I agree, but I think I may have something to add. Although the townspeople have determined that Buendía is “crazy,” I do not believe he is as mentally unstable as the townspeople claim. When Father Nicanor visits José Arcadio Buendía, who is tied under the chestnut tree, to convince him that God exists, Nicanor points out that José Arcadio Buendía is not speaking gibberish. Marquez writes, "Thus is was discovered that José Arcadio Buendía's devilish jargon was Latin" (83). In an extreme sense, José Arcadio Buendía has become lost in knowledge. Metaphorically, he is drowning in the intellect he has gained and unable to communicate in vernacular. Readers should recognize the fact that speaking Latin is no easy feat and that his new method of communication does not necessarily indicate insanity.
Furthermore, ask yourself a question: does someone who has lost complete touch with the world "break down [a] priest's faith with rationalist tricks" (83)? In my eyes, someone who has enough rationality to make a priest question his faith in by no means "crazy." It takes a sharp and clear mind to reason with people on spiritual matters.
At the very least, Buendía has retained many of his faculties. Marquez presents the notion that Buendía’s passions have consumed him; still, Marquez doesn’t explicitly state that Buendía is insane. In fact, Marquez provides much evidence (mentioned above) that Buendía could still function in society if given the opportunity.
So, why does José Arcadio Buendía accept that he's "crazy?" [When the priest asks Buendía why he is tied to a tree, Buendía responds, "'Because I'm crazy'" (83).] That's an interesting question. Throughout the novel, José Arcadio Buendía refuses to submit to outside authorities (like organized government or organized religion). He is an avid supporter of free will and individualism. In contrast to his values, when Macondo determines that he is crazy, he allows himself to be tied to a tree and even begins to believe he is crazy. A strong man allows his people to decide his fate. His problem is not his sanity but his lack of courage.
*brief addition to my previous comment*
Above, I argued that Jose Arcadio Buendia was not, in fact, "crazy" when he was tied to the chestnut tree. I would like to clarify something. Although I don't think Buendia was out of touch when he was tied to the chestnut tree initially, Marquez indicates that Buendia gradually descended into insanity. Later in the novel, Marquez writes, "But at the time when Ursula went to lament by his side he had lost all contact with reality" (106).
Days, weeks, months, or years living outside tied to a tree might do that to you too...
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