“Aura” by Carlos Fuentes reflects many binaries used to better interpret and illustrate the viable and ironic metaphors used in his story. Last class we discussed magical realism as something out of the ordinary. To better understand this meaning, Zamora and Faris better explained in the introduction for last class reading as, “Magical realism often facilitates the fusion, or coexistence, of sible worlds.spaces, systems that would be irreconcilable in other modes of fiction”. (pg. 7) A parallel universe intertwining with reality. Binaries are generally used in his book to undermine people’s perceptions.
Aura is revealed as a projection of Consuelo, who, in mourning her dead husband mourns herself, but Felipe is ensnared by his own desire and actions into the role of the General, coupled with Consuelo to give birth to "Aura," an illusion of life and youth. On page 123, it talked about the life after life as “Aura” sees it, it says, “She’s trying to bury you alive. You’ve got to be reborn, Aura. You have to die before you can be reborn…” it touches the subject of magical realism because of this notion of a parallel universe, another life. The book ends with Mrs. Consuelo saying, “She’ll come back, Felipe. Well bring her back together.” Mrs. Consuelo character showed a desperation of youthfulness and the fulfillment of being a mother and bringing another life into the world.
In the book it talked about Mrs. Consuelos sadist religious ways. As a Spanish background I can relate to this idea of black magic or sadist religious approach because in many Spanish cultures it is believed and worshiped. In Dominican Republic people believe in saints and gods and in a greater power here on earth. I believe that in the novella, “Aura”, the black cat can express this ideology and how the Mexican culture may also believe in such a greater power. I know “La virgin de Guadalupe” is said to make miracle happens, my mother for once is a great believer in the fact that she believes that “La virgin the Guadalupe”, which is the main saint in Mexico, saved her life before.
Just like the old days where witches were represented with black cats as pets. I believe it isn’t an accident that the black cat represents a sense of black magic or mystery within this novella. It is also the reason why Carlos Fuentes chose to emphasize the significance of the cat by using a picture of a black cat as a cover page for this novella. Black cats always represent bad luck in movies or suspense, same way it was used in this novella.
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Carlos Fuentes “Aura” illustrated elements of magical realism by creating the idea of fantasy in a parallel universe intertwining with reality. Binaries are generally used in his book to undermine people’s perceptions such as the binaries of past/present, old/new and young/old.
ReplyDeleteFirst word of the story is “you’re”, this immediately sets the stage of not being able to decipher real/fantasy since it’s allowing you, the reader, to interpret the story however you want based on your experiences. Also, immediately puts the story in the eyes of Felipe so you never know if it’s his dream, his reality or some combination of the two (From the very first line we are part of the protagonist). Not only is Aura revealed as a projection of Consuelo, who, in mourning her dead husband mourns herself, but Felipe is spellbound by his own desire and actions into the role of the General, coupled with Consuelo to give birth to "Aura," the illusion of life. Mrs. Consuelo lives her life through her niece, their motions are unbelievably undeniable. This illustrates the use of past/ present and real/ fallacy as a means to depict a greater issue.
In my opinion, Fuentes aims to criticize Mexico for not remaining faithful to its origin and culture. Written during wartime when the state lines shifted, identities shifted too. You become displaced during wartime from what you were to what you now have become due to the result of war. This concept of “fusing of time” comes to play between these shifting of identities.
War throws us into chaos; a limbo because we don’t know how war will turn out in the end. Fuentes thinking revolves around the idea that Mexico’s whole history is changing. The tribes of the Spaniards, US, and the French all had an influence on Mexico under the Ferdinand Maximilian’s governance. In turn, the “Mexican identity” was forgotten.
In 1859, Ferdinand Maximilian was first approached by Mexican monarchists and offered a proposal to become the Emperor of Mexico. He did not accept at first. However, after the French intervention in Mexico, under pressure from Napoleon III and after General Élie-Frédéric Forey's capture of Mexico City and the plebiscite which confirmed his proclamation of the empire, he consented to accept the crown in 1863 (Ferdinand Maximilian was not told of the dubious nature of the plebiscite, which was held while French troops were occupying most of the territory). Fuentes used General Llorente’s character in “Aura” to demonstrate his position. General Llorente was a Mexican soldier but his story was written in French. This is Fuentes way of illustrating how Mexico sold itself to the French. Mexico was valuing the European way and because of this the Mexican’s lost their way .Basically, Fuentes is trying to ask two things; who are we? And who were we? (Past/ present)