Character
Who finds the drowned man on the beach?
The children.
What makes Esteban different from the other drowned men?
His enormous size, weight and frame.
What does Esteban represent for the villagers?
Something larger than life / human potential.
What point of view is the story told from?
Third-person omniscient.
What makes the story an example of magical realism?
Ordinary village life is mixed with the extraordinary presence of Esteban.
What name do the villagers give him?
Esteban.
Why is it difficult to prepare Esteban for burial?
He doesn't fit in their houses, clothes or beds.
What didn't they tie around Esteban?
Anchor.
An example of Hyperbole (exaggeration) is when they try to lift him and say he weighs as much as a
Horse.
Give one example of something fantastic or exaggerated in the story.
Esteban’s enormous size that no one has ever seen before or how they reacted to him.
Which villagers are first moved by Esteban's presence?
The women.
What other name do they think he could've gone by?
Lautaro.
What literary device is used in the description of Esteban’s size?
Hyperbole (exaggeration).
The story made a literary reference to a greek hero. Who were they referencing?
Odysseus.
How do the villagers react to the fantastic elements in the story?
They accept them as part of their reality, imagining his life and possibilities.
Why do the villagers imagine Esteban had a hard life?
Because his size made him clumsy and lonely.
How do the men's feelings toward Esteban change?
From resentment to respect and admiration.
What theme is revealed when the villagers sympathize with Esteban's struggles?
Compassion and empathy.
How does collective imagination transform the meaning of the story?
It turns Esteban into a myth that reshapes the villagers’ identity and future.
Why is the presence of Esteban considered both magical and realistic?
He is treated as a real person with human emotions, but his size and impact are fantastical.
How does Esteban change the way the villagers view themselves?
He inspires them to dream bigger and imagine a greater future.
Which of these is a magical detail?
a. Screaming, she was pulled out of the water and, writhing in pain, was taken home on a stretcher.
b.Fascinated by his huge size and his beauty, the women then decided to make him some pants from a large piece of sail and a shirt from some bridal linen so that he could continue through his death with dignity.
c. When the eldest turned eighteen, there were one hundred and twenty-six dolls of all ages in the room.
d. While the men went to find out if anyone was missing in neighboring villages, the women stayed behind to care for the drowned man.
B. Fascinated by his huge size and his beauty, the women then
decided to make him some pants from a large piece of sail and a shirt from some bridal linen so that he
could continue through his death with dignity.
Why is magical realism important in the story?
It mixes the ordinary with the extraordinary to expand meaning.