In the beautiful and haunting story “The Most Handsome Drowned Man” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a profound change takes place in a remote village on a seaside cape after a beautiful, drowned body washes to shore. I think Professor Conway has assigned this as the first story of the course because its inspiring and motivating. As students we can learn to work together to become better for ourselves and for any task at hand individually. This story argues that a great person has the power to change themselves and to change others, to inspire those to be better and to make them want to be exceptional. It also shows the effect such a person can have on those who admires him or her and manifests as a desire for self-betterment.
In the story, the Drowned Man, Esteban, symbolizes an overwhelming experience for the villagers. With his body being washed away to shore, it brought the villagers to gather, and they took on the responsibility to make changes as a team.
3 thoughts on “Shameza Allihussain Discussion 2”
Shameza, thanks for the good comments. It’s true that I like to start with this inspiring and motivating story. I also appreciate what you write about all of you working together. That’s why I love the fact that you started a group chat for Section 1002. However, I can’t say that I think the drowned man was a “great person.” In fact, no one in the story knows anything about him. He could have been a serial killer for all they know. It is the people of the village who make him “great” by creating a story about his life. It is this act of collective imagination that gives them a myth and something to lie up to.
Hi, Shameza! Nice to meet you.
I also found this novel very inspiring and motivating, If not one of my favorites so far. Anyhow, I love your perspective and how your turned this perspective into a lesson to work as a group, and to be more empathetic with each other.
I also do believe that a person, or the individual could have a huge impact in a group or society, as someone inspiring or just someone that we could learn a lesson from. However, I feel too that the villagers projected their feelings into the giant man, somehow.
Great insights! Thank you.
Hayra FG
I found this novel to be quite inspirational and motivating as well, if not one of my favorites thus far. Anyway, I admire your perspective and the way you turned it into a lesson about teamwork and being more sensitive toward one another.
I also believe that a person, or an individual, can have a significant impact on a group or society, either as an inspiration or as someone from whom we can learn a lesson. I believe, though, that the villagers projected their emotions onto the gigantic figure in some way.