One Hundred Years of Solitude: Characters & Themes

Questions and Answers

What is the name of the gypsy who brings the magnet and telescope to Macondo?

Melquíades

What is the nickname of the woman who beats Aureliano Segundo in an eating contest?

The Elephant

When Colonel Aureliano Buendía retires from the war, what does he spend his time making?

Golden fishes

What is the name of the man whom José Arcadio Buendía kills for making fun of him?

Prudencio Aguilar Signup and view all the answers

After a certain point in the novel, what mark distinguishes Colonel Aureliano Buendía's seventeen sons?

They all have crosses on their forehead Signup and view all the answers

What invention does Aureliano Triste bring to Macondo?

The railroad Signup and view all the answers

The civil war is fought between which two parties?

The Liberals and the Conservatives Signup and view all the answers

According to Buendía family tradition, what will happen to babies born of incestuous relationships?

They will have tails like pigs Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Remedios the Beauty?

She floats away into the sky Signup and view all the answers

How does the government put Arcadio to death?

Firing squad Signup and view all the answers

Aureliano (II) discovers that the prophecies are written in which language?

Sanskrit Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Dr. Alirio Noguera?

Liberal radical Signup and view all the answers

Where is Úrsula Iguarán's gold hidden?

Under her bed Signup and view all the answers

What job does Mauricio Babilonia do for the banana company?

He is a mechanic Signup and view all the answers

What instrument does Pietro Crespi bring to the Buendía household?

The pianola Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the first magistrate to come to Macondo, whose daughter marries Colonel Aureliano Buendía?

Don Apolinar Moscote Signup and view all the answers

As a mark of her regret, what does Amaranta wear until she dies?

A black bandage on her hand Signup and view all the answers

Which bad habit does Rebeca NOT have when she first comes to Macondo?

Bathing in mud Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the black woman who becomes Aureliano (II)'s lover?

Nigromanta Signup and view all the answers

Gaston, Amaranta Úrsula's husband, tries to start which kind of business?

Delivering airmail Signup and view all the answers

Jose Arcadio Segundo is the sole surviving witness to what catastrophe?

The massacre of the striking workers Signup and view all the answers

How do Aureliano Segundo and Petra Cotes become rich?

Their farm animals breed extremely rapidly Signup and view all the answers

Aureliano José is shot in the back while running away from soldiers in which building?

The movie theater Signup and view all the answers

What infectious disease does Rebeca bring to Macondo?

Insomnia Signup and view all the answers

What do Aureliano (II) and Amaranta Úrsula name their baby?

Aureliano Signup and view all the answers

In what year was One Hundred Years of Solitude written?

1967 Signup and view all the answers

In how many months did Gabriel García Márquez write One Hundred Years of Solitude?

18 months Signup and view all the answers

Is One Hundred Years of Solitude a metaphor for Latin America or does it tell the story of Latin America?

True Signup and view all the answers

What were Gabriel García Márquez's political views?

Márquez was an anti-imperialist Signup and view all the answers

Who influenced Gabriel García Márquez's political views?

Márquez's grandfather Signup and view all the answers

What is magical realism?

Magical realism is a narrative technique that blurs the distinction between fantasy and reality Signup and view all the answers

Macondo in One Hundred Years of Solitude mirrors what nonfiction place? (city, country)

Aracataca, Colombia Signup and view all the answers

Throughout One Hundred Years of Solitude, the theme of solitude is represented in what aspects?

Solitude of location, pride, grief, love, and solitude Signup and view all the answers

In this novel, what does foreshadowing accomplish?

Foreshadowing emphasizes simultaneity and inevitability of events Signup and view all the answers

What event in this novel is foreshadowed throughout almost the entirety of the novel, becoming a memory motif?

Colonel Aureliano's firing squad Signup and view all the answers

What in the novel symbolizes the text's awareness of itself as literature, becoming a key to understanding the mythical-historic essence of the book?

Melquíades' parchment Signup and view all the answers

In how many sections was the novel divided, and what were?

4 sections: (1-4): foundation, (5-9): war years, (10-15): American intervention, (16-20): Last days/things fall apart Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters and Events

Melquíades: Gypsy who introduces magical elements like the magnet and telescope to Macondo.
The Elephant: Nickname of the woman who defeats Aureliano Segundo in an eating contest.
Colonel Aureliano Buendía: After retiring from war, spends time creating golden fishes.
Prudencio Aguilar: José Arcadio Buendía kills him after being mocked.
Aureliano Buendía's sons: All possess a unique mark of crosses on their foreheads.

Inventions and Traditions

Aureliano Triste: Introduces the railroad to Macondo, symbolizing modernization.
Incestuous Relationships: Buendía family belief states that offspring will be born with pig-like tails.
Úrsula Iguarán's Gold: Hidden under her bed, representing family wealth and secrets.

Themes and Symbolism

Floating of Remedios the Beauty: Illustrates themes of purity and otherworldliness.
Aureliano (II): Discovers prophecies written in Sanskrit, connecting the past and future.
Amaranta's Regret: Wears a black bandage to symbolize her lifelong remorse.

Historical Context

Civil War: Fought between Liberals and Conservatives, setting the backdrop for many events.
Banana Company: Reflects the exploitation and economic impact of foreign corporations in Latin America.

Narrative Techniques

Magical Realism: Blurs fantasy and reality, depicting extraordinary occurrences as part of everyday life.
Foreshadowing: Highlights inevitable events, particularly Colonel Aureliano's fate.
Symbol of Literature: Melquíades' parchment symbolizes the novella’s self-awareness and mythical-historic essence.

Cultural References

Political Views: Gabriel García Márquez was an anti-imperialist heavily influenced by his grandfather.
Setting: Macondo mirrors Aracataca, Colombia, highlighting the author's personal history.
Theme of Solitude: Explored in various aspects like love, grief, and isolation throughout the narrative.

Author's Creation Process

Writing Period: Gabriel García Márquez completed the novel in 18 months, reflecting intense dedication.
Publication Year: "One Hundred Years of Solitude" was published in 1967, heralding a significant cultural movement.

Structure of the Novel

Divisions: Divided into four sections focusing on the foundation of Macondo, war years, American intervention, and the decline of the Buendía family.

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Description

Explore the rich tapestry of characters and events in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'. This quiz delves into key figures, inventions, and symbolic themes that shape the narrative of Macondo and the Buendía family. Test your knowledge and understanding of this literary masterpiece.