Active Reading: Chapter Twelve

ACTIVE READING: CHAPTER TWELVE

Quotes
"Look at the mess we've got ourselves into, just because we invited a gringo to eat some bananas."
This quote shows the rapid degree of change going on in Macondo. Colonel Aureliano, who this quote is from, is upset with the change in government style, especially the manner it is going on in. He blames the Conservatives, and starts to think ending the war was not a good idea at all.

Magical Realism
Meme ascending into heaven. This is very similar to Mother Mary, which I believe is what Marquez was shooting for by having this happen. A comparison can be made because people are dying as a result of her, just as Jesus died for Mary.

Themes
Change. The political affiliation is switching yet again, and immigrants are more prevalent in Macondo than ever. This ticks off some of the old timers, especially Colonel Aureliano. It seems that more power is given to the owners of the banana plantations, the country's biggest form of income.

Character Development
16 of the 17 Aureliano children are murdered after trying to start a war, Colonel Aureliano becomes very depressed, and Macondo itself really changes as a whole because of the new people and objects available. Remedios also ascends into heaven after having countless die because of her endless beauty. After the deaths of his sons, Colonel Aureliano wants to start another war, but cannot find anyone who wants to back him.

Summary
Macondo begins to change in a huge way. More outlets in and out of the village means more resources and people that can enter. Foreigners come in and push for a capitalist government, and banana plantation owners gain a large amount of power (and respect) around the village. This angers Colonel Aureliano Buendia, who believes newcomers should not have so much power and control. He convinces his 17 sons to battle against them, but this meets a road block when 16 of the 17 sons are brutally shot and killed before they can even attack these people. This sends the Colonel into a great depression, and he tries to start a war but nobody wishes to take his side. This proves that great change anywhere can be bittersweet: the economy may benefit, but it may not always be in the best interest of the citizens. There are also many inuendos to the Colombian government in this chapter, possibly the most we have read yet.