“The Most Handsome Drowned Man” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a story about community and acceptance. When the drowned man was discovered the village helped to try to uncover the roots of this man. Where he belonged and who was he? It wasn’t until later the women of the village started to peel back the layers and discover the flaws and beauty of this man.
This lead to assumptions of who he was and where he came from. As the kept cleaning him they saw beauty and strength followed by sorrow and embarrassment. They started to pity him and put themselves into his shoes. Marquez states, “They only had to take the handkerchief of his face to see that he was ashamed, that it was not his fault that he was so big or so heavy or so handsome…” (6). As the men of the village came back they were perplexed as to why the women chose to show this man who they don’t know so much affection. Only to see for themselves the sorrow on the drowned mans face. This made them want to provide this man with the most beautiful funeral ever.
Although, they fought over who can carry the drowned man to his resting place. They ultimately came together and honored the drowned man memory by making changes to their land to the strength of their houses.
The assignment of “The Most Handsome Drowned Man” as the first story in the course I believe was to give the students a space where we can relate, not judge ourselves, and make room for a more creative mindset to flow. To make a shift in reality and honor what inspires us.
2 thoughts on “Vaman Dass Discussion 2”
Vaman, thanks for the good post. I especially like your last paragraph. For me, this story is very much about imagination and creativity. And I do hope your minds will open as you take part in this course. And if some shift in reality or perspective occurs, even better!
I agree, our lives are changed because of creative thinking.
For beautiful things such as beautiful scenery, delicious food, and appearance can bring people good feelings, stimulate people’s creativity and good emotions, bring shocking changes to people, and also bring changes to our lives.