remedios the beauty in 100 years of solitude

This analysis explores one of literature's most enigmatic characters -- Remedios the Beauty from García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude -- and how her supernatural beauty becomes both liberation and prison.

Her story reveals how society struggles to understand those who don't fit conventional expectations.

“It seemed as if some penetrating lucidity permitted her to see the reality of things beyond any formalism. That at least was the point of view of Colonel Aureliano Buendía, for whom Remedios the Beauty was in no way mentally retarded, as was generally believed, but quite the opposite. “It’s as if she’s come back from twenty years of war,” he would say. Úrsula, for her part, thanked God for having awarded the family with a creature of exceptional purity, but at the same time she was disturbed by her beauty, for it seemed a contradictory virtue to her, a diabolical trap at the center of her innocence. It was for that reason that she decided to keep her away from the world, to protect her from all earthly temptation, not knowing that Remedios the Beauty, even from the time when she was in her mother’s womb, was safe from any contagion. (García Márquez, 197)

In Garbiel Gabriel García Márquez’s 100 Years of Solitude, Remedios the beauty, daughter of Santa Sophia de la Piedad and Arcadio, is known to be the most beautiful woman to have ever existed in the town Macondo. Her beauty, throughout the book, seems to not only be her most prominent physical feature, but a central character trait that influences others’ perception of her. The passage above shows the contrast between Colonel Aureliano Buendía and Úrsula’s view of Remedios the Beauty, analyzing the intersection of beauty, power, and mystique. It conveys how beauty confers a unique form of power on Remedios, and explores its implications for her agency and autonomy throughout the novel.

Remedios is put on a pedestal, her beauty painting her as supernatural, and creating a sense of mythos around her character. This perception is shared by the citizens of Macondo, and it sets her apart from them. Her beauty and her lucidity sharply contrast that of Macando’s inhabitants which is why she is often thought to be “mentally challenged,” another character trait of hers that is emphasized. This characterization by the townspeople reflects their inability to comprehend her outwardly nature, as their conventional understanding of beauty and intellect fails to capture the essence of Remedios.

Colonel Aureliano Buendía’s view of Remedios, however, contradicts with others. He sees her as possessing a “penetrating lucidity,” a deep understanding of the world defining her distinction. His view recognizes her beauty being a symbol of her clarity of the world, not merely as a physical attribute that constrains her. In his eyes, Remedios is not “mentally retarded” but gifted with the intelligence to be able perceive the true nature of things, a clarity of vision unencumbered by societal conventions. This positions Colonel Aureliano Buendia as a character who can see beyond the superficial, acknowledging a profound depth within Remedios. 

His comparison of Remedios to someone who has returned from “twenty years of war” emphasizes her wisdom and maturity. This metaphor is particularly striking because it strategically contrasts her innocence and beauty with the complex understanding of someone who has experienced the harsh realities of conflict. The Colonel recognizes how Remedios’ beauty is interconnected with her wisdom, giving her the agency that others around her lack and a sense of power that is not apparent to those around her.

Úrsula, on the other hand, views Remedios' beauty as both a blessing and a curse. She recognizes Remedios' purity but is simultaneously worried by her beauty, perceiving it as a  “diabolical trap.” Úrsula believes that beauty can only lead to temptation and danger from the outside world, therefore isolating her from the world, hoping to preserve her innocence. This action emphasizes Úrsula’s belief in the fragility of purity in the face of beauty, highlighting the tension between the two qualities. Úrsula’s protective instincts reveal a lack of understanding of Remedios' true nature as the passage suggests that Remedios is inherently protected from “any contagion,”indicating an innate purity that cannot be harmed by external influences. This idea challenges Úrsula’s efforts to shield Remedios, implying that her beauty is a form of inherent strength. It highlights a broader societal concern with the control of female sexuality and the often tense relationship between beauty and morality.

The differing perspectives of Colonel Aureliano Buendía and Úrsula highlight the complexity of Remedios’ character and illustrate a fundamental tension in the text—the interplay between perception and reality. It is a critique of superficial judgements and the limitations they impose on recognizing true character and perception. 

The notion that beauty can confer power is central to Remedios’ character and understanding her role in the narrative. Her beauty is not just a passive trait but an active one as it shapes how others perceive her. This is evident in the way Colonel Aureliano Buendía and Úrsula view her as one recognizes her lucidity, while the other protects her innocence. Both perspectives highlight the transformative impact of her beauty on those around her. It grants her a form of power that is both liberating and isolating. Her beauty sets her apart from societal norms, allowing her to exist outside conventional expectations. This autonomy is a symbol of agency allowing her to live according to her own understanding rather than conforming to societal pressures. However, this same beauty also isolates her, as others struggle to comprehend her true nature and often misinterpret her behavior. This duality reflects broader themes in One Hundred Years of Solitude, and invites readers to question the true nature of power and the ways in which it is conferred and perceived. The townspeople’s failure to understand her mirrors a broader human tendency to misunderstand and mininterpret those who do not fit into established categories, showcasing Marquez’s critique of social norms and perceptions. 

However, the passage also raises questions about the relationship between beauty and liberation. Does Remedios’ beauty inherently empower her, or is it her unique perspective and understanding that grants her true autonomy? The passage suggests that true liberation comes not from beauty itself but from the ability to understand and navigate the complexities of one’s own identity. Remedios’ ability to navigate the complexities of her existence, untouched by societal corruption, reflects an inner strength that goes beyond mere physical appearance. This strength is evident in her actions and demeanor, as she remains largely indifferent to the chaos around her, living according to her own understanding and principles. This ability to remain untainted by the corruption positions her as a symbol of idealism and integrity within Macondo’s chaotic world.

Remedios as a character also challenges traditional gender roles and expectations in a patriarchal society like Macondo, where women are often expected to conform to certain norms and behaviors. However, she defies these expectations through her detachment and apparent indifference to these social conventions. Her beauty does not conform to a typical narrative of a woman's power being equated to her desirability—instead, she is portrayed as a nature, almost divine attribute who is beyond the understanding of the ordinary citizens of Mocando. This portrayal can be seen as a subversion of the typical patriarchal narrative, suggesting that true power lies in self-possession and inner clarity, rather than in abiding by societal expectations. Her transcendence of societal expectations is not only a testament to her character but also emphasizes the nature of beauty and power. It’s also a form of resistance against the patriarchal structures that seek to control and define women’s roles and identities.

She defies the social hierarchy and interactions that are often dictated by physical appearance, maintaining agency and autonomy. Her indifference to material concerns underscores her detachment from the desires that captivate others. This rather than displaying her naivety and innocence, showcases her profound understanding of the world around her.  This profound understanding is evident in how Remedios navigates her relationships. While others in Macondo are entangled in complex relationships, Remedios remains unaffected by them. Her interactions are marked by directness that contrasts sharply with those around her. This simplicity reflects her clarity as she sees through the facades that others maintain, recognizing the truth. This ability to see the reality of things, as Colonel Aureliano Buendía observes, emphasizes her lucidity.

This complexity is further illustrated by the way the citizens of Macondo view and react to Remedios. Her beauty and unconventional behavior provokes admiration and fear. They find a fascination in her as they struggle to fully comprehend her, often leading to them perceiving her almost as a heavenly figure and someone who embodies purity. This, additionally, underscores the theme of myth-making within the novel, as Remedios becomes more of a legend than a person in the eyes of Macondo. Her mystifying nature and beauty elevate her to a prestige that blurs the line between reality and myth, reinforcing lo real maravilloso. This mythic perception highlights how extraordinary traits can elevate an individual to a symbolic status, reflecting societal tendencies to create legends out of the extraordinary.

The character of Remedios the Beauty also highlights the stereotypes surrounding women and the objectification of female characters throughout the book. While her beauty grants her a certain power and status, it also subjects her to the desires of those around her. The way she is perceived and treated by others reveals much about societal values and the hypocritical nature of beauty standards. Through Remedios’ beauty, the novel explores the themes of purity, desire and power dynamics.

Thus, Remedios the Beauty, embodies the intricate relationship between beauty, power, and social perception. The magic realism that permeates her story -- where her beauty elevates her to a near mythical status, and her ascension to heaven blurs the line between reality and fantasy -- emphasizes the novel’s exploration of the extraordinary within the ordinary. This raises broader questions about the nature of power and liberation: can true autonomy exist within a society that prioritizes physical appearances and perceptions? Marquez invites readers to further contemplate the complexities of human perception, and consider our own biases towards people and things around us.