An analysis of communism and religion in Gabriel Garcia...

Saqr ï ¿ ½ PAGE ï ¿ ½1ï ¿ ½ Eyad Saqr Ms. Schwettmann IB English 11-1,474 February 4, 2008 A Capitalist Congregation: Marxist Commentary on Hegemonic Powers in _Chronicle of a Death Foretold_ In the twentieth century, South Americans faced a dilemma: to succumb to the capitalist ideals of the western world or to surrender to the communist beliefs of Marx and Engels. Through symbol-laden texts, writers communicated their beliefs concerning the two economic ideologies. In his acclaimed novel _Chronicle of a Death Foretold_, Gabriel Garcà ­a Marquez vindicates Marxist ideals through his portrayal of the Catholic Church as a manipulative hegemon that cripples its people. These townsfolk become drones because of the local bishops stranglehold on his†¦show more content†¦They devote a great deal of their time and resources to receive him welcomingly. Instead of splitting the accrued firewood and food among themselves as a commune, the town must devote all of their time and effort to a foreigner who represents a capitalist ideology, supporting the economic domination of a select few over an unprivileged majority. The author then juxtaposes this dedication with the bish ops unappreciative, pretentious attitude and exceptionally affluent appearance. The bishop wears a white cassock surrounds himself with a retinue of Spaniards as his boat soak[s] those who were closest to the edge of the shore (Marquez 17). The author portrays the bishop as a wealthy ruler with the townspeople as his slaves. Marquez also places him on a higher plateau physically, looking down upon the town, even soaking them with his colossal boat. Instead of surrounding himself with those who truly follow Catholicism and its teachings, the bishop is accompanied by light-skinned aristocrats who abuse their lofty positions in societys racial and economic hierarchies. Marquezs depicts the bishop as unappreciative, distant from his people, and dominant over his followers. Through this representation, Marquez effectually characterizes the Church as a controlling, deceiving hegemon-ironically omnipotent and omnipresent. Although Marquez adamantly