Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon

In the myth of Icarus, Icarus’s father is the architect of the Labyrinth, an elaborate maze they must escape by flying away on wings held together with wax. Icarus’ flight ends in one of literature’s most famous literal and figurative falls, after he ignores his father’s warnings and flies too close to the sun, melting the wax. What themes, images, and symbols in “Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon” reflect the Icarus story? Does García Márquez change the story? If so, how?

In the literary trope of the hero’s journey, the protagonist is often reflected by his antagonist, or shadow character. What qualities do Balthazar and Montiel share? In what ways do they both hide who they really are? How do they differ?

The town is divided between poor craftsmen and professionals, represented by the villainous José Montiel. How do the townspeople and Montiel perpetuate their antagonistic relationship? What does García Márquez suggest about class conflict and about individual identity through this relationship?

In postmodern literary works, characters frequently cannot relate to or understand one another, causing communication breakdowns that lead to dramatic discord. How do the characters in “Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon” illustrate this narrative framework?

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus must roll a boulder up a hill every day only to have it rolled back down again. In his absurdist essay The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), Albert Camus writes, “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” How does this absurdist concept relate to Balthazar at the beginning of the short story? How does it relate to Balthazar at the short story’s end?

How do García Márquez’s biblical allusions function in the text? What do they reveal about Balthazar as a character? How do Balthazar’s actions in the story subvert the expectations that the allusions set?

If Balthazar is posed allegorically as one of three wise men bringing a gift to the infant Christ, what does this imply about Pepe Montiel? How does García Márquez develop Pepe to either match or defy the logic of that allegory?

Montiel tells Balthazar that his doctor has forbidden him to become angry, but Balthazar leaves the cage, knowing it could affect Montiel’s health. What are the causal elements that prompt Balthazar to leave the cage? What do those elements and his decision reveal about his nature, his strengths, and his weaknesses?