Colonel Aureliano Segundo Analysis

The execution of José Raquél Moncada shows the extent to which Colonel Aureliano has lost his humanity. Colonel Gerineldo Márquez and Colonel Aureliano Buendía lose faith in the very ideologies of war. Gerineldo Márquez instead diverts his attention to Amaranta, who repeatedly rejects his proclamations of love. Meanwhile, Colonel Buendía loses all sense of humanity, as he becomes unemotional and secluded, lacking any memories. Colonel Buendia is finally forced to come to terms with himself, when Gerineldo Márquez is sentenced to death. He finally acknowledges the uselessness of war. He partners with the newly released Colonel Gerineldo Márquez, and fights against the Liberals in an attempt to end the war. When he signs a peace treaty, he feels …show more content…
Meanwhile, still in his youth, Aureliano Segundo begins to explore the obscure secrets that are preserved in Melquíades’s laboratory. He is often visited by the ghost of Melquíades while he is doing so. In the meantime, José Arcadio Segundo, Aureliano Segundo’s twin brother, begins to explore his religious side, contrasting with his brother’s actions. However, he soon becomes an eccentric oddity, engaging in strange behaviours not understood by his family. The two brothers, who look remarkably alike, start sleeping with the same woman, Petra Cotes, who does not realize that they are two different people. Jose Arcadio Segundo soon ends all contact with Pera Cotes due to a disease he contracts from her. However, Aureliano Segundo decides to stay with her. The two have a very close relationship, and something supernatural in their bond causes their farm animals to be unnaturally fertile. Soon, Aureliano Segundo becomes incredibly wealthy, due to his livestock's quick reproduction. He throws huge parties in order to display his immense wealth. Motivated with the urge to explore, José Arcadio Segundo tries to create river passage to the ocean. He succeeds in bringing a boat up the river only once. In this boat are a group of French girls, who advertise a large carnival in Macondo. Remedios the Beauty is declared queen of the carnival. Over time, Remedios becomes the most beautiful woman anyone has ever seen, but she remains ignorant and innocent. During the carnival, a rival queen, Fernanda del Carpio, arrives with a group of mysterious men. These men begin a riot, and start firing shots into the crowd, killing many of the audience members. Two thematic statements in this chapter are: love can change the very fabric of reality, and wealth makes a person more arrogant. The first thematic statement is demonstrated by the relationship between Petra