"One Hundred Years of Solitude" Post 7a

Vocabulary
soporific (72): causing or tending to cause sleep
encyclicals (78): a papal letter addressed to the bishops of the Church or to the hierarchy of a particular country

Literary Elements
'"None of that, because he's alive," was the answer of José Arcadio Buendía, who finished the seventy-two hours with the mercurial incense as the body was already beginning to burst with a livid fluorescence, the soft whistles of which impregnated the house with a pestilential vapor" (79). The use of the verb "impregnated" or filled gives this passage a rather creepy air, aided by the use of the words "livid" and "pestilential". It describes how, as the mercury burst in the body of Melquíades, the whistling sound it gave off filled the house with a rather malevolent air. Impregnated makes the house seem especially full with this sound.
"The Italian, whose head covered with patent leather curls aroused in women an irrepressible need to sigh, dealt with Amaranta as with a capricious little girl who was not worth taking seriously" (80). This simile mocks not only the Italian but Amaranta as well. It undermines her plea and demands to her sister and fiancé, showing her rather selfish nature in doing so. However, the addition of speaking of Pietro's hair perhaps points to a vain part in his nature, as women are constantly admiring him. Perhaps the author is trying to make the point that both Amaranta and Rebeca are too good for him. Perhaps this more of a sibling rivalry than true love.
"She would arrive at any hour of the day, like a flock of goats, and would unleash her feverish energy in the hardest tasks" (83). This simile relating to Pilar seems like a rather odd one. Firstly, other than for milking and such I don't think goats are especially useful, especially not for doing work. Actually, they are more thought of as contrary creatures. Secondly, Pilar is just one person, not a group as suggested by the simile. Thirdly, a group of goats is not commonly called a flock, usually a herd.

Quote
"Father Nicanor Reyna- whom Don Apolinar Moscote had brought from the swamp to officiate at the wedding- was an old man hardened by the ingratitude of his ministry. His skin was sad, with the bones almost exposed, and he had a pronounced round stomach and the expression of an old angel, which came more from simplicity than from goodness" (89). This quote was really representative of the writing style of this novel and the characters within it. They all have some odd quirk, which is explained by the narrator with such a matter-of-factness that it almost stands out more to the reader. Everything is presented with its faults and value, nothing is "sacred" but nothing is criticized more than anything else. It's nice to read in it's straightforward tone, very different from the plot itself.

Theme
Nothing is as it seems.