As we’ve pointed out several times in class, Solitude bears resemblance to the book of Genesis. However, there are more Genesis-like factors I found within the text that extend further than the story of creation and the Garden of Eden, though the theories I have run in completely opposite directions. Knowing Gabo is opposed to organized religion, one of my first reactions to Solitude was that it is his own re-writing or personal commentary of the Book of Genesis. However, whereas Genesis opens with the earth as a blank mass for God to create and expand, Solitude instead starts with a simple village and ends with a simple village. Much like the gloriously fabled Garden of Eden, there is not much left of Macondo or its inhabitants by the end of Solitude. In fact, if one were to look at the beginning and end of Solitude, it would be argued that no progress was made in Macondo.

This brings me to my thoughts on the notion of “progress” in Solitude, and whether progress was actually made in Macondo. Personally, I link progress with accomplishment, rather than the advancement of time, which was suggested in class. With this notion in mind, I do not believe the people of Macondo made any significant progress—besides having all members of the family and community killed off, Macondo seemed to digress in time. Though time evidently went forward, despite all of the events that took place, nothing really ever happened. Gabo was able to cleanly slip in railways, electric lighting, automobiles, and AMERICANS, but in the end, nothing ever came of it, and Macondo went back to being a desolate village.

The brief mention of pastiche in class also got me thinking. Could it be that even though Gabo is opposed to organized religion he still holds respect for the Bible and the Book of Genesis, not as a religious doctrine, but as a literary text? This could explain the parallels drawn between Solitude and Genesis, but at the same time, it would still allow room for Gabo to offer his commentary on organized religion and the fate of its blind followers. It is very difficult to say at this point. Solitude is such a dense and downright intimidating text that it demands multiple reads and can take on multiple meanings. A very strong and compelling text—I am anxious to revisit it this winter.