Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza’s love affair in Love in the Time of Cholera is doomed from the beginning. The two lovers completely idealize the relationship and only when they meet can Fermina see it for what it really is: an illusion.
The novel should really be called Stalker in the Time of Cholera. The relationship’s strange beginnings are the first sign that it will fail. Florentino Ariza, the steadfast lover, exhibits behavior that is characteristic more of a stalker than a man in love. Not to mention, Fermina is only thirteen years old when Florentino first sees her. I first would say that he is creepy pedophile, but the novel more eloquently describes him as a “solitary hunter” (56). After his first glimpse, Florentino becomes consumed with Fermina, watching her walk to school and embroider with her aunt. He notices the most miniscule details of her stance, her walk, her hair, and writes her a love letter that consists of “sixty pages written on both sides” (57). He is completely obsessed but in reality, knows very little about Fermina.
My biggest issue with the relationship between the two lovers is that they never actually meet for more than a few seconds. Of course, the social restrictions of the Catholic society forbid them from meeting in person, but that they know each other only through a regular correspondence of letters and telegrams that allows them, especially Fermina, to romanticize their relationship. Because she does not know him beyond his writing, Fermina thinks of Florentino as the forlorn and intense violinist and poet with glacial eyes, but she is unaware of the extent to which his intensity reaches. It is not until she meets him face to face after having grown up herself that she realizes the mistake she has made.
The scene in which Florentino and the young boy seek the treasure of the sunken galleon is foreshadowing of the imminent downfall of the relationship. Florentino spends numerous weeks searching for the boat, in the same way he spent months watching for a sign from Fermina. Then he finally finds something, much like when he and Fermina have their correspondence, but is later is betrayed by the young boy who steals the jewelry. Florentino’s failure to procure the legendary treasure of the sunken galleon is a forewarning of his failed relationship with Fermina after finally “finding” her when they meet in the marketplace.
The relationship between Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza in Love in the Time of Cholera is destined to fail. The two characters come from completely different social classes, a dissimilarity that greatly impacted relationships at the time in which the novel is set. It is the fear of social impropriety and of Lorenzo Daza that causes them to fall in love from a distance, using letters as a way of communication and a way of idealizing their relationship. In the end, Fermina finally realizes the illusion of love in which she has been living and ends the charade. (504)
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2 comments:
Lauren Motzkin, I enjoyed your harsh views on Florentino's love in the novel. While it may be a bit inappropriate, I implore you to have an open mind regarding their relationship. I believe it was William Shakespeare who said something profound about love at first sight. The metaphor between Florentino's love and the sunken treasure was a nice touch, though I think you will be in for a surprise as you continue to read.
Lolo--Once again Prof. Khera strikes, always a few days ahead of me. I think I may have to hire him as my ghost commentor.
While I certainly see your point about the similarities between Florentino's early behavior toward Fermina and that of the contemporary psychotic stalker, I think there are key differences that outweigh the similarities, mostly cultural. I can see you're aware of these factors, but I think I put more weight on them than you perhaps do. Still, a very strong entry.
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