Compelled to Change For the Better (response to “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World”)

The appearance of Esteban on the shores of our small village caused a positive change in our views and perspectives. Esteban made us think, aroused us emotionally, and since his arrival, he has ultimately changed how our modest village functioned for generations to come. Positive change does not spring out of anywhere. Human mobilization, mental or otherwise, occurs primarily when something or someone powerful and compelling comes our way. This is what happened to us when we encountered Esteban. We were “Fascinated by his disproportion and beauty,”  (Marquez, 1) and were thus made to think and feel in ways not known to us prior.

Upon the sight of such an enormous person like Esteban, we villagers were struck with a feeling of awe and a certain newfound sense of curiosity. We began to think in terms that we never have before. “What was it like for such a large man to navigate through his life on a regular basis? What kind of obstacles did this man face? How could the people around him have better accommodated for his needs? What did people think when they saw him? Did they genuinely appreciate his beauty, or gossip about him when he was not around? Did they say things like, “finally the great fool has left, thank goodness, finally the stupid bloke is gone” (Marquez, 2) behind his back? How did Esteban deal with such humiliating rejection for the way he was born, a matter which he had no choice in?”

The aforementioned inquiries regarding Esteban’s past life and how one might act to accommodate such a unique person were the result of a disruption in our little universe. As a direct result of the site and the impact of Esteban on our village, there was a natural consequential change in mindset. Out of nowhere now laid before us a man of proportions we have never seen before. We villagers found ourselves extending our imagination in order to learn and better understand this person and what his life must have looked like. We truly were trying our best to “fit him into our imaginations.” (Marquez, 1) Gradually, we began to appreciate Esteban and what he represented. Esteban was not anymore part of another world and lifetime, He became part of our little universe as well. We no longer were capable of viewing what our lives ought to look like the way we used to. Indeed, Esteban, by mere virtue of his presence compelled us to think and aspire in a new, positive, and transcending manner. 

The ways in which the effects of Esteban expressed themselves varied. Esteban’s impression first took effect on the women. They were deeply moved by Esteban, and when the time came to let him go, they wanted to connect with him in a concrete manner. Some of our women “put sculptures on the drowned man” in an attempt to connect with Esteban and bring good luck. Others “were digging up cheap relics, carrying and bringing” them over with similar intentions. (Marquez, 3) At first, we (the men) were suspicious of all of the superstitious activity surrounding this strange man. We began to get angry with the constant delay in getting rid of Esteban’s body. (In hindsight, I think that our heightened frustration was an indicator of the fact that in truth, also the men knew that Esteban was different, special, and not one to discard without some more thought.) However, once the women “took off the headscarf from the cadaver’s face, the men too remained breathless.” “There was such truth in his mode of being, that even the most suspicious of men… and still others who were much harder, shuddered to the marrow with the sincerity of Esteban.” (Marquez, 3)

This episode in our small village began with a strange man arriving on our shores, but it ended in an entirely new era for our town and its neighboring villages. Many people from all over our coastline came to Esteban’s funeral. Each individual was touched and moved in his or her own way. The thoughts and feelings that Esteban evoked in us propelled and led us, not just to thought and speech, but to action. Our town was changed forever. Esteban inspired us to build “wider doors, taller roofs, and firmer floors.” (Marquez, 4) Not long ago, our standards of living were significantly more modest and would probably have remained unchanged. Now, we have seen and come to know of something else. Someone has inadvertently shifted our lives in a new direction. He taught us to look above and beyond our limitations. To remember and prepare for the stranger and exception. We no longer live in a random small town. We are now, and forever will be, the citizens of the eternally memorable village of Esteban.