David Witzig
Hendrix IB English 11
8/29/2013
Chapter 1 Close Reading
Chapter 1 sets up some of the major themes in the novel. Firstly, the idea hope ignites action. One quote that highlights the theme of hope is, “I never meant to keep my promise. But before I know it my head began to swim with dreams and my imagination” (Rulfo 4). Basically, Juan was never going to follow through with his promises, but because he began to dream of all the great things that his father could be, it motivated him to go to Comala. Thus hope becomes a great motivator for action. This idea plays a huge role throughout the rest of the book; specifically, when Pedro hopes for Susanna to love him so he goes and searches a long time for her, but then she dies and his hope is gone and he dies. Hope motivated the action and when the hope dies he dies.
Another theme setup in this chapter is the idea of wealth class differences and the oppression of the poor. We learn that Pedro is very rich, and that even though he has the means to take care of his family he sends them away into poverty. “Don't ask him for anything. Just whats ours … Make him pay, son, for all those years he put his out of his mind.” (Rulfo 4). Juan's mother is very upset that Pedro has made her live her life away from him and in poverty. This ultimately sets up the theme of the rich oppressing the poor which comes into play during the rebellions at the end of novel.
Hey David,
ReplyDeleteThat's one very creative title :) Take the topic of "hope" and try to speculate about what the novel says about hope. This will give you a more sophisticated theme statement.