Ashlee Smith Discussion 1

“The Handsomest Drowned Man In the World” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a story that touches on the theme of transformation. The village is transformed by the villagers. The villager’s hearts and minds are transformed by Esteban’s appearance and presence in their village. The story shows how one’s entire outlook could be changed due to the effect and impact other people have on us. I think “The Handsomest Drowned Man In the World” might have been assigned as the first story of the course to acknowledge that it’s never too late to change one’s outlook or perspective on things. Esteban, a dead man who washed ashore, had such an impact on the villagers that he transformed their lives for the better. They had sympathy for him. From their own sympathy they were able to make a change within themselves. Esteban had a hold on the villagers, and they allowed themselves to think what life would have been like for him and to honor him in the best way they knew how.