Act Reading Journal #1

I. Elements of Magical Realism

- “He was a fugitive from all the plagues and catastrophes that had ever lashed mankind.” (P.5) I thought it is a magical realism because in the context, all the plagues and catastrophes could have ever lashed mankind, but not to him.

II. Character.

1. Colonel Areliano Buendia – no changes or developments.
2. Melquiades – met Jose Arcadia Buendia and helped him for his desire.
3. Jose Arcadio Buendia – tried to become rich by Melquiades’ inventions, but after some failures, became interested in scientific knowledge.
4. Ursula Iguaran – wanted and tried to dissuade her husband but then she started to think he is crazy.
5. Jose Arcadio – No changes or developments.
6. Aureliano – No changes or developments.

III. Plot Summery

- This chapter starts with Colonel Areliano Buendia’s old memories. The leader of gypsies, Melquiades, comes to Maconda and started to show people their inventions. Among the Maconda citizens, Jose Arcadio Buendia thinks some ways to earn money by the inventions. As he tries to use the inventions, his wife, Ursula Iguaran, weeps in consternation. After the several failures, he soon becomes interested in scientific knowledge. Later on, he discovers the world is round and starts to be seen crazy.

Although he was seen as crazy, he thought people in Maconda have to contact with people outside of the world. Then, he tries to find the way to contact, which is finding sea. When he starts the journey, he finds some evidences that there might be sea. With that in mind, he comes back and tells people Macondo is surrounded by water on all sides. To get more benefits of science, he tries to move Macondo to a better place, but Ursula refuses. He, then, teaches his children how to read, write and do sum. Also, he takes them to a gypsy fair.

IV. Quotes

1. “Things have a life of their own.” (p.1-2) This quote jumped out at me because I thought it is so true. Also because we sometimes ignore the value of life and the value of some things in our lives and we waste things. This quote made me examine myself.

2. “Incredible things are happening in the world.”(p.8) This quote made me think about myself how much I was not thankful for what I have because what I have now is what I could not think of and dream of. Incredible things are happening in the world and I think I should not forget to thank.

V. Themes

1. Coldness – It was played in this chapter through Jose Arcadio Buendio. For example, he tries to move Macondo to a better place he thinks because of his desire and when he does not care about his family because of what he is interested in.

2. Science – It was played in this chapter through Jose Arcadio Buendio and Melquiades. Melquiades used science and invented things and after Jose Arcadio Buendio saw his inventions, he dedicated himself to study science.

3. Seen insane – It was played in this chapter through people in Macondo. People did not believe what Jose Arcadio Buendio discovered and saw him as insane.