Act Reading Journal #2

I. Elements of Magical Realism

- “On another night she saw him strolling clotted blood from his throat.” (p.22) I think it is a magical realism because it might be an illusion but it is what is happening to her.

II. Characters

1. Jose Arcadio Buendia – he was married to his relatives and moved to Macondo after he killed Prudencio Aguilar.
2. Ursula Iguaran – was afraid to marry her relatives.
3. Jose Arcadio – fell in love then gave up on her for a gypsy.
4. Aureliano – started to help his father studying for mirror.
5. Prudencio Aguilar – insulted Jose Arcadio and was killed. Then appeared to him as a ghost.
6. Pilar Ternera – tempts Jose Arcadie and gets pregnant.
7. Amaranta – no changes or developments.

III. Plot Summery

-       The chapter starts with the story of founding Macondo. Jose Arcadio Buendia and Ursula lived in a prosperous village. Although they were relatives, they got married. Ursula was afraid of having not normal kid, so she wore a chastity belt. While she was afraid to have kid with Jose Arcadio Buendia, Jose Arcadio Buendia was having cockfight with the man called Prudencio Aguilar. After the fight, he insulted Jose Arcadio Buendia and Jose warned him to be ready to be killed. With anger, he killed Prudencio, then Ursula started to see Prudencio ghost one night. They realize that Prudencio is haunting them. Later on, they decide to leave the village. Through that they find Macondo. Jose Arcadio falls in love with Pilar Ternera and gets her pregnant. Although Ursula tries to run after Jose Arcadio who went with a gypsy, she cannot catch him and comes back. On the way home, she finds the two routes to go to the outside world.

IV. Quotes

1. “may God preserve you just as you are.”(p.33) It jumped out at me although my reason does not match with the story. I liked it because sometimes I wanted to feel God protecting me just as I am. It was just what I wanted to hear from somebody. So I liked it.

2. “Just as many times as you come back, I’ll kill you again.”(p.22) It shock me with fear at the first time because it showed how the man can be when he thinks in danger.

V. Themes

1. Old memories – it is played in the chapter to give more information and bring it more interesting.

2. Complication – it is played in the chapter by Jose Arcadio Buendia’s murder and Jose Arcadio’s relationship with Pilar Ternera, which brought the result of newborn baby called Amaranta.

3. Fear – it worked for Ursula to find Macondo through the fear of the ghost, Pilar Ternera.