30 pages 1 hour read

Gabriel García Márquez

The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1968

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Symbols & Motifs

The Sea

The sea is a driving force in “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World,” setting the stage for all the events in the story. It plays a crucial role in how the villagers perceive and understand the drowned man when he washes up on their shore. The sea serves as a symbol of life’s mysteries and potential. When the sea brings the drowned man to the shore of the village, with him comes an opportunity for the townspeople to experience something new and exciting. Through the sea, the author creates the mood of suspense and wonder that dominates the story. The sea’s vastness, beauty, and grace are reflected in the stranger’s appearance, which captivates the villagers.

Moreover, the sea in the story represents the unknown, the mysterious, and the infinite possibilities of life. The drowned man may have come from a distant land, and his unknown history and background leave room for imagining the infinite possibilities of his origins. The ocean makes the drowned man appear otherworldly, emphasizing the way that he appears more like a legend than an actual person. The sea thus becomes a symbol of life’s beauty and the endless number of opportunities that exist within it.