"The Most Handsomest Drowned Man in the World"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Gabriel Garcia Marquez's short story, 'The Most Handsomest Drowned Man in the World", which is about a corpse washing ashore and how it changes those who find it. In particular, it looks how the story is ironic in that it revolves around the fact that a dead man brings the village to life and how things that were once viewed with a dullness and complacency are suddenly seen with an attitude of appreciation and value. It examines how Marquez forces us to consider how we view unexpected events in our lives.

From the Paper:

""The Most Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" is ironic in that is takes a dead man to bring the village to life. His presence told them a story of loneliness, which they respond to by giving him a home and a place to feel welcome. Esteban also becomes a symbol of change for the villagers because his presence inspires them to alter certain aspects of their lives. For instance, they are inspired to dig for springs and plant flowers on the cliffs "so that in future years at dawn the passengers on great liners would awaken" (560). It takes a dead man to bring them back to life."

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