The most obvious theme that I began to see while reading the novel was that of Father Renteria as a symbol for the church. There were several mentions of father renteria as a sinner in the novel. Also, on page 30 the novel turns its attention to father Renteria's source of income. In other parts of the novel, the concept of paying in order to have sins forgiven is mentioned. This may be a commentary on the hipocracy and greed of the church.
Another device used is the concept of a story outside of time. On page 15, the novel says "as if time had been telescoped." This is an excellent depiction of the disregard for time in the magic realist world. There is a common theme during the novel of a change of time period indicated by movement of ox carts, rain, mention of lamps, and galloping horses.
On page 78, the voices that echo throughout the town of Comala serve as a chance to use alternate worlds. It is hard to tell what is a dream and what is reality. This is a classic case of magic realism blurring the distinction between worlds.
The most obvious theme that I began to see while reading the novel was that of Father Renteria as a symbol for the church. There were several mentions of father renteria as a sinner in the novel. Also, on page 30 the novel turns its attention to father Renteria's source of income. In other parts of the novel, the concept of paying in order to have sins forgiven is mentioned. This may be a commentary on the hipocracy and greed of the church.
ReplyDeleteAnother device used is the concept of a story outside of time. On page 15, the novel says "as if time had been telescoped." This is an excellent depiction of the disregard for time in the magic realist world. There is a common theme during the novel of a change of time period indicated by movement of ox carts, rain, mention of lamps, and galloping horses.
On page 78, the voices that echo throughout the town of Comala serve as a chance to use alternate worlds. It is hard to tell what is a dream and what is reality. This is a classic case of magic realism blurring the distinction between worlds.
The class separation between Pedro as the cacique and the campesinos is also emphasized as a part of Mexican society. Pedro's infidelity and tendency to be a womanizer may be a commentary on machismo and Mexican men in society.
Another key aspect to notice in the novel is how Comala stays the same despite the changing forces of each of the binaries in the story pulling it in different directions. This is much like the cycle of Mexican politics how different extremes are constantly pulling at the political and societal norm, but these extremes seem to be false. In reality, they are very similar. This is demonstrated through the similarity of binaries that seem so different like life and death or past and present.