Several times in the book, Florentino Ariza states that he loves Fermina Daza exclusively

1. Several times in the book, Florentino Ariza states that he loves Fermina Daza exclusively. Does this seem realistic, given the many love affairs he carries out during the fifty plus years that he is separated from Fermina Daza? How does this reconcile with his avowal that he can love more than one person at a time?

2. Fermina Daza breaks off her engagement to Florentino Ariza after she discovers that he is a “shadow.” She later marries Juvenal Urbino, even though she does not love him initially. What are her motives in leaving Florentino Ariza and marrying Juvenal Urbino?

3. 3. Juvenal Urbino is portrayed as a wise, intelligent and urbane man in the book, and yet his treatment by Garcia Marquez is not completely flattering. There seems to be an underlying message that he is “missing something” in his character. What is the “something” that he lacks?

4. The novel begins with an outbreak of cholera, and ends with an outbreak of cholera. Similarly, the river plays a major role in the beginning and ending of the book. Are the cholera outbreak and the river symbols of something greater? If so, what do they symbolize?

5. 5. Is Florentino Ariza serious when he says that the boat will keep sailing the river under a flag of cholera for forever? Does it matter if he is serious?