Gabriel Garcia Marquez
may only know approximately five names, which would explain the limited
selection found in One Hundred Years of Solitude. However, I find it more
likely that he knew what he was doing and chose to write the novel simply
repeating names such as José, Arcadio, Aureliano, and Remedios. There are a
couple names he uses only once, such as Ursula and Amaranta. While this
technique is ultimately confusing and almost frustrating, if not completely,
utterly frustrating, one would think that an author worthy of winning the Nobel
Prize has a method to his madness. He does. When one learns the meaning of the
names he uses for his characters, again and again, one can understand why these
names, as well as the variants on the combinations.
Starting with the first name, and only the first name, of
the father in the novel, one can understand why Marquez names him “José.” The
name is a derivative of the English name Joseph, which is almost immediately recognized
as a Biblical name by many people. “José” means literally, “God will increase.”
One can read this as a reference to the way José Arcadio Buendia is constantly
trying to increase his wealth and technology through inventions brought by the
gypsies, or perhaps increasing the town’s prosperity as he is the founder of
Macondo. Biologically, he increases the town’s population with his own
children, some of whom have several children of their own. Joseph is sometimes
considered Jesus’s earthly father, which of course relates to the head of
household stance José Arcadio Buendia takes while he is still of sound mind and
living in the house, not under the tree.
The name “Ursula,” literally translates into “young bear.”
While she does in fact start out young, as she references marrying José Arcadio
Buendia, she lives to an unbelievable age in the novel. However, she keeps her
ferocity and protectiveness over her family, much like a mother bear and her
cubs. Even when her children get out of line when they are grown, she is not
afraid to confront them and attempt to make them see what they are doing wrong.
“Arcadio,” means “from Arcadia,” which is a region in
Greece known for being a pure, untouched wilderness, as well as adventure.
While the name does not seem to imply much in the way of José Arcadio Buendia,
it definitely fits his son, José Arcadio. When the gypsies leave town after a
visit, he runs away with them, not returning for years. José Arcadio finally comes
back, and has basically regressed in his behavior as a civilized man. All of
the boys named “Arcadio” from here on out have the same wild sense of
adventure.
The name “Amaranta,” means “unfading,” which certainly
describes Amaranta in the novel. Her “unfading,” characteristic mainly applies
to her view on men. She wants Pietro Crespi so badly she threatens Rebeca out
of extreme jealousy, but when she finally has the opportunity to marry Crespi,
she refuses him and drives him to suicide. General Gerineldo Marquez also wants
to have her hand in marriage, and even though she cares for him, she refuses
and ultimately dies alone.
The last of the direct, biological children of Ursula and
José Arcadio Buendia is Aureliano. His name translates into, “golden,” which
can certainly be connected to the fish he makes when his career as a colonel
eventually ends. All boys with the name “Aureliano,” are said to have a distinct,
solemn look in their eye; all seventeen of his sons have this look. His talent
and drive as a rebel military leader can also be described as “golden,” since
he is so good at what he does, especially in the beginning of the wars.
While the names “Rebeca,” and “Remedios,” are important
names as well, they do not repeat, at least as much, with the exception of
Ursula. “José,” “Arcadio,” “Amaranta,” and “Aureliano,” are a few of the most
repetitive, important names in the novel, and there is no doubt as to why
Gabriel Garcia Marquez chose them.
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning
http://wiki.name.com/en/Baby_Names
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