9/18/08

"This is madness Aurelito,"

"Not madness, War. And don't call me Aurelito anymore. Now I'm Colonel Aureliano Buendia"

- Don Apolinar Moscote and  Aureliano Buendia

This quote is kind of cliche, but still very important in that it shows the growth of a main character, Aureliano, and his change in personality into a Colonel that is no longer a child. Don Moscote seems the most troubled by this, and cannot identify Aureliano with the "high boots with a rifle slung over his shoulder." War turns people into Colonel Buendias, with the death of innocence.

9/12/08

"Things have a life of their own, its simply a matter of waking up their souls."

- Gypsy Woman

I believe this quote is important to the work not only because it shows the role of mysticism in the lives of the main characters, but its also a symbol for the individuality of each member of the family and each subsequent generation. Even though it is suppressed at points, the individuality still exists, hidden under the surface.