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Questions and Answers
What did Gabriel Marez do for the first time?
What did Gabriel Marez do for the first time?
It was the first time he went and stayed with his family at El Puerto.
What was everyone doing in order to forget what had happened the night before?
What was everyone doing in order to forget what had happened the night before?
They were all busy working.
What does Antonio say about the golden carp when they pass by Rosie's?
What does Antonio say about the golden carp when they pass by Rosie's?
The golden carp would punish the sinners. He would drown them in clear, blue water.
What does Antonio say about God when they drive by Rosie's?
What does Antonio say about God when they drive by Rosie's?
What question does Antonio ponder about God in relation to punishment?
What question does Antonio ponder about God in relation to punishment?
What does uncle Pedro say when Antonio asks him why he hadn't come to warn them about Tenorio?
What does uncle Pedro say when Antonio asks him why he hadn't come to warn them about Tenorio?
What does Antonio think about forgiving men like Tenorio?
What does Antonio think about forgiving men like Tenorio?
By what does Antonio say his uncles take their truths?
By what does Antonio say his uncles take their truths?
What is the coffin made out of?
What is the coffin made out of?
Why do the Trementinas bring the body of the dead sister to the Church?
Why do the Trementinas bring the body of the dead sister to the Church?
In Antonio's dream, who does he see in the cottonwood coffin?
In Antonio's dream, who does he see in the cottonwood coffin?
What does Antonio compare the house to?
What does Antonio compare the house to?
What literary device is being used: 'The house, which was normally alive and full of creaking, clattering sounds, was still like a grave'?
What literary device is being used: 'The house, which was normally alive and full of creaking, clattering sounds, was still like a grave'?
What do the Trementinas do when the funeral procession passes in front of Ultima?
What do the Trementinas do when the funeral procession passes in front of Ultima?
What does the priest do when the funeral procession reaches the Church?
What does the priest do when the funeral procession reaches the Church?
What does Tenorio's excommunication from the Church mean?
What does Tenorio's excommunication from the Church mean?
What happens to the dead sister after Tenorio is excommunicated?
What happens to the dead sister after Tenorio is excommunicated?
What hurt Tenorio most about his excommunication?
What hurt Tenorio most about his excommunication?
What do the Trementinas realize?
What do the Trementinas realize?
Who has the feel of the earth in his blood?
Who has the feel of the earth in his blood?
What does Uncle Pedro say when Antonio asks him about why he had allowed Tenorio to pass judgment on Ultima?
What does Uncle Pedro say when Antonio asks him about why he had allowed Tenorio to pass judgment on Ultima?
How do the people of the town know that the Trementina sister was a witch?
How do the people of the town know that the Trementina sister was a witch?
What prompts Antonio to have a dream in this chapter?
What prompts Antonio to have a dream in this chapter?
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Study Notes
Key Events and Characters
- Gabriel Marez stays with his family at El Puerto for the first time.
- The community distracts themselves from recent tragedies through work.
- Antonio reflects on the golden carp, suggesting it punishes sinners by drowning them.
- He also contemplates God's punishment, envisioning hell as eternal suffering for sinners.
Antonio's Conflicts
- Antonio questions the nature of divine punishment, wondering why a merciful God wouldn’t exist.
- Uncle Pedro explains he couldn’t warn them about Tenorio because of the family's cowardice.
- Antonio struggles with the difficulty of forgiving men like Tenorio, pondering God's inability to do so.
Symbolism and Imagery
- The earth is described as a source of truth for Antonio's uncles.
- The coffin, made of cottonwood, features in Antonio's dream, symbolizing connection to Ultima.
- Antonio compares his home to a grave, indicating a sense of loss and stillness in the atmosphere.
Social Dynamics and Consequences
- The Trementinas bring their deceased sister's body to the Church for appearances.
- The funeral procession reveals the Trementinas' disdain when it passes Ultima.
- The priest denies holding a mass for the deceased, shunning the Trementinas and their actions.
Moral and Spiritual Themes
- Tenorio’s excommunication signifies public acknowledgment of the Trementinas' wickedness.
- The sister's burial in unholy ground highlights the themes of fate and guilt, as she lacks saving grace.
- Tenorio feels immense loss over his excommunication, fearing loss of control and power within the community.
Character Insights
- Uncle Juan notes Antonio embodies the essence of the earth, emphasizing his connection to identity.
- Uncle Pedro vows to protect Ultima next time, indicating his loyalty and sense of duty.
Community Awareness
- The townspeople recognize the Trementina sister as a witch due to her cottonwood coffin.
- The events of death and burial prompt Antonio’s introspection and dreams, triggering his doubts about Ultima’s powers.
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