Title: “The Most Handsome Drowned Man” by Gabriel García Márquez
Prompt: Why do you think I might have assigned this as the first story of the course?
The reason behind selecting this story, “The Most Handsome Drowned Man” as the opening piece for our course might be because it allows us to provoke critical thinking and ignite meaningful discussions. For example, the drowned man’s symbolic significance in the story and his transformative effect on the town can raise discussions on how handsome this dead man was and whether weeping for a stranger was necessary. The story also emphasizes community and social change. It provides an opportunity to discuss how literature reflects and comments on social structures, and relationships. This reading also showcases Garcia Marquez’s literary prowess, giving students the opportunity to glimpse into the brilliance that earned him his Nobel Prize in Literature. Ultimately, starting our course with a story that piques our curiosity can help set a positive tone for the course and help motivate us as students to delve deeper into the material being presented to us.
One thought on “Kevin Lam Discussion 1”
Kevin, thanks for the comments. I really choose this story because it is about the power of storytelling to open people’s minds and change perspectives. It is through the creative act of creating a story for the dead man that the villagers begin to imagine larger possibilities for themselves and ultimately change their lives.