Blog #2

From 3,000 feet Márquez' "The Handsomest Drowned Man in The World" is a short story about a colossal man who washes ashore a seaside village. Throughout the story the village people become intensely inspired by the mans greatness until the end when they bury him at sea. One of the more important aspects of the story are the themes. In my opinion the most prominent themes are admiration and inspiration. In the beginning of the story the villagers are impressed by the mans size. As the story goes on the man is admired for his mystical physique and his own bearing. "They noticed too that he bore his death with pride". Not only did the villagers admire the man but they were greatly inspired by him. The man brought hope to the village, and the villagers did things like paint there houses in happy colors. At first only the women were impressed by the strangers masculinity, but he had a similar effect on the men of the village when they realized his greatness. Before the man came into the village the courtyards were desolate and the streets were desolate, but when the villagers took him in they wanted to plant flowers and dig for springs. Most importantly the stranger gave the village hope and desire.