LA MUERTE DE LOS ARANGO | resumen | JOSÉ MARIA ARGUEDAS

Summary

In this video, Sami narrates a detailed story based on the short story 'La muerte de los Arango' by José María Arguedas. The story takes place in a small, picturesque village plagued by a deadly epidemic of typhus. As the disease spreads, the villagers cope with the loss of prominent figures, including the Arango brothers, who were once symbols of hope. The narrative explores the impact of the disease, the symbolic power of a horse, and the villagers' collective efforts to overcome the tragedy, all while reflecting on the themes of faith, community, and resilience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator shares a story about the death of the Arango family, specifically focusing on the impact of an epidemic in a small town.
• 😀 The disease in question is typhus, which is highly contagious and transmitted by fleas, and it arrives in the town through symbolic imagery involving a black horse and rider.
• 😀 The town experiences the devastating effects of the disease, with many people falling ill and dying, leading to the burning of a nearby village and the destruction of a bridge.
• 😀 The narrator describes life in the town before the outbreak, painting a picture of tranquility, with children learning at school and enjoying a beautiful tree in the town square.
• 😀 As the epidemic progresses, funerals become more frequent, and the town's customs, such as washing the deceased's clothing in the river, reflect the growing sorrow.
• 😀 The community begins to take steps to shield children from witnessing the funerals by directing them through alternative routes, avoiding the town square where the ceremonies take place.
• 😀 The first victim of the typhus from the Arango family is the younger brother, who was seen as the town's hope due to his good deeds and the excitement he generated with a previous festival.
• 😀 The older Arango brother, Eloy, makes a heartfelt declaration to join his brother in death, which tragically comes true shortly after.
• 😀 The town's church bells constantly ring, signaling new deaths and creating an atmosphere of mourning as the typhus epidemic continues to ravage the population.
• 😀 In the end, the community places hope in a symbolic act involving the Arango brothers' horse, which is paraded and eventually thrown off a cliff, signifying the end of the epidemic and offering a sense of closure and relief.

Q & A

What is the central theme of 'La Muerte de los Arango' by José María Arguedas?

The central theme revolves around the impact of a typhus epidemic in a small rural village, exploring themes of death, community loss, and symbolic rituals that the villagers use to cope with the disease and grief.

How does the narrator describe the village at the start of the story?

The narrator describes the village as a picturesque, peaceful place where life was once tranquil, with a beautiful tree in the plaza symbolizing joy for the children, before the onset of the epidemic.

What role does the horse of the Arango brothers play in the story?

The horse of the Arango brothers becomes a symbolic figure representing the disease. It is used in a ritual to signify the end of the epidemic, as the horse is thrown into an abyss, signaling the departure of typhus.

What happens to the Arango brothers during the story?

The younger Arango brother dies first from typhus, which deeply affects the village as he was seen as the hope of the community. His older brother, Eloy, follows him shortly after, fulfilling a grim promise to join his brother in death.

What is the significance of the funeral rituals described in the story?

The funeral rituals, particularly washing the deceased's clothes in the river and singing chants, reflect the community's efforts to maintain traditional practices in the face of overwhelming loss. However, as the epidemic progresses, these rituals become more difficult to maintain due to the high number of deaths.

How does the narrator feel about the village's reaction to the epidemic?

The narrator conveys a sense of helplessness and sorrow as the village faces the epidemic. There is a sense of inevitability about the deaths, and the community's response is largely focused on maintaining their traditions and finding symbolic meaning in the events.

What does the symbolic tree in the plaza represent before and after the epidemic?

Before the epidemic, the tree in the plaza symbolizes joy and life for the children. After the epidemic begins, it takes on a more somber meaning, representing the sadness and loss that permeate the village as death becomes a frequent occurrence.

What does the appearance of the horse at the end of the story signify?

The horse's appearance, dressed for a festive event and paraded through the village, is seen as a symbol of the disease being conquered. The horse's dramatic fall into the abyss is interpreted by the villagers as the end of the epidemic, offering them a sense of closure and relief.

How does the community cope with the deaths caused by the epidemic?

The community copes with the epidemic by holding onto traditions, such as washing clothes in the river and singing chants. They also turn to symbolism, using the horse and the funeral rituals to make sense of the deaths and maintain a sense of control over the uncontrollable epidemic.

What does the narrator mean when they mention the bell ringing constantly?

The constant ringing of the bell signifies the continuous loss of life in the village. It is not a celebratory sound but a mournful one, marking the passing of more people as the epidemic takes its toll on the community.