Small Introduction to Marquez

Marquez is an interesting writer. He resembles Kafka and Camus in his pattern of writing and plot. However he presents his arguments on logic and society in a manner that seems less dark then that of the others. The setting in which the stories take place is also unique, as society in the stories is less what we are used to and more closely resembling the south american societies of today. This still however, doesn't stop the message. Marquez presents his point of view through stories like Tuesday Siesta and Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon which are foreign in plot and setting, but still completely relatable to the masses. So far Marquez is one of my favorite writers that we have read about this year.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon


Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon - 

 Balthazar lives in a poor area of Venezuela, and has been working on a particular bird cage for 2 weeks. This birdcage is beautiful, and people would come from far and wide just to see it. His wife told him to sell it for 50 pesos to the rich doctor in the town. However things don't go according to plan. He gives the birdcage away for free, lies about selling it, and then gets drunk. This is considered by Balthazar to be the happiest dream of his life. 
I view this story to be a tale of artisan who loves what he does, but doesn't know how to make money off of it. The lesson I believe that is hidden in the story is that you should do something for your love of it, not the monitory gain.
Turning point 1 - Wife tells Balthazar to sell the cage

 Turning point 2 - Decides not to sell the cage to the doctor 

 Turning point 3 - Balthazar tries to sell the cage to Jose Montiel

 Turning point 4 - He gives Jose the cage for free to pacify the screaming child. Jose pays nothing

 Turning point 5 - Balthazar tells his wife he sold the cage for 60 pesos

 Turning point 6 - Balthazar gets drunk, and enters the happiest dream of his life 

 Quote for turning point 4 -   "Take your piece of furniture home and don't be silly. I have no intension of paying you a cent."  said Jose 

 "It doesn't matter" said Balthazar 

 I see a lot of Camus in this quote
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