I believe the professor selected Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s story “The Most Handsome Dead Man” as the first story. to state that a truly great person has the ability to influence others, to inspire them to be better, and to motivate them to strive for greatness. Perhaps the professor hopes that we, as students, will be able to stimulate and inspire one another throughout the semester. In the story Esteban, the Drowned Man, represents an overwhelming event. With his body washed up on the beach, the villagers saw Esteban and his magnificent features, they were blown away. His features inadvertently encourage the locals to congregate, brightening up their otherwise boring lives. It also demonstrates the impact a person can have on those who admire him or her, which manifests as a desire for self-improvement.
