7.6 “La siesta del martes” Gabriel García Márquez

Background of Gabriel García Márquez

Overview of “La siesta del martes”

Themes and Motifs

1. Poverty: The story portrays the poverty of the mother and daughter, who travel a long way to visit the grave of their son/brother. The poverty is also reflected in the condition of the church and the town, which are both in a state of disrepair.
2. Power: The story explores the abuse of power by the priest, who accuses the women of theft without any evidence. The power dynamic between the wealthy and the poor is also evident in the story, as the wealthy are able to exploit the poor.
3. Injustice: The story portrays the injustice suffered by the mother and daughter, who are accused of theft and humiliated by the priest. The story highlights the unfairness of a society that allows such mistreatment to occur.

1. Heat: The heat of the day is a recurring motif in the story, reflecting the tension and discomfort of the characters. The heat also serves to emphasize the poverty of the town, which lacks the resources to provide adequate shelter and cooling.
2. Sleep: Sleep is a recurring motif in the story, representing the exhaustion and weariness of the mother and daughter. The nap they take in the shade of the church serves as a temporary respite from their journey and their poverty.
3. Religion: Religion is a prominent motif in the story, as the mother and daughter visit the church to pray at the grave of their son/brother. The priest's accusations of theft and abuse of power also reflect on the role of religion in society, and the ways in which it can be used to justify injustice.

Literary Devices and Techniques

• Symbolism: The heat of the day, which is a recurring motif in the story, also serves as a symbol for the tension and discomfort of the characters. The church is also a symbol for the religious and societal structures that perpetuate poverty and inequality.
• Irony: The fact that the mother and daughter are accused of theft by the priest, despite being poor and having no possessions of value, is an example of irony. The priest's accusations also highlight the irony of a religious figure using his power to abuse the vulnerable.
• Foreshadowing: The mother's dream about her son at the beginning of the story foreshadows the reason for their visit to the town, which is to visit his grave. The priest's suspicion and hostility towards the women also foreshadows the unjust accusations and mistreatment they will face.
• Imagery: García Márquez uses vivid and evocative imagery to create a vivid sense of the setting and characters. For example, he describes the mother and daughter's worn and dusty clothing, the dilapidated condition of the church, and the priest's angry and intimidating manner.
• Point of View: The story is told from a third-person limited point of view, which allows the reader to see the situation from the perspective of the mother and daughter. This point of view also allows for the building of tension and suspense as the priest's accusations and mistreatment of the women unfold.

Impact of the Text

1. Literary Impact: "La siesta del martes" is widely regarded as one of Gabriel García Márquez's most poignant and evocative works. It is an excellent example of his mastery of storytelling and his ability to convey complex emotions and themes through his writing. The story has been studied extensively in literature classes and has inspired many other writers and artists.
2. Social Impact: The story explores themes of poverty, power, and injustice, and highlights the abuse of power that often accompanies societal and economic inequality. As such, it has had a significant impact on social and political discourse, particularly in Colombia and other Latin American countries. The story has sparked conversations about social justice and the need to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
3. Cultural Impact: García Márquez is one of the most celebrated writers of Latin America, and his works have had a significant impact on the region's cultural identity. "La siesta del martes" is a powerful representation of the struggles faced by the poor and marginalized in Latin American society, and has helped to raise awareness of these issues both within the region and around the world.