Name: Marjie D.

Bay-asen
1. What is revealing about the character and description of the rich man, Jose (“Chepe”) Montiel? (3pts)
Jose “Chepe” Montiel, one of the wealthy people in the town reputed to be somewhat tight with his
money. He has the power and money but refuses to pay cent to the poor, he is completely insensitive to
beauty, He’s the only one in the story who isn’t awestruck by the beauty of the cage.

2. Why is he described as “obese and hairy”? What about his wife? How is their home described? (5pts)
Jose “Chepe” Montiel was described as “obese and hairy” because he was very cheap and sloppy,
even took alcohol bath. His wife was described as an argumentative wife and she is also tortured with her
obsession to death since she always wanted to lay in darkness. Montiel’s house is packed with equipment and
cars where no poor could have.

3. How does Balthazar contrast with the Montiels in terms of character and appearance?(5pts)
Balthazar is the Christ-like figure through whose character the authors conveys the moral in the story.
His physical appearance is similar to a priest’s, as Ursula remarks. Compare it with the gross, cheapstake and
fat Chepe Montiel.

4. What is Balthazar’s attitude in approaching the house of the Montiels? (1pt)

Balthazar is well groomed, dressed in white and decent manner when he approached the Montiel’s
house.

5. Is Balthzar at ease among the rich? How does Balthazar feel them? (3pts)
No, Balthasar never felt at ease among the rich, however he always experienced a feeling of pity
because Montiel sleeps lightly to guard his possessions, carries on his body that may parallel the objects he
hoards, and violently berates his family.
6. What is the symbolic significance of the cage which Balthazar makes?(1pt)
The cage represents the oppression of the poor. In selling the cage, Balthazar is given the illusion of
freedom, thus he enjoys a marvelous afternoon living like a rich man.

7. Is there symbolic significance to the appearance (“like a capuchin,” unshaven) and other details of the
description of Balthazar (carpenter, 30 years old, no children) How about his name? (3pts)
The name Balthazar has unmistakable Biblical allusions. It is the name of one of the three magic or
wise men who travelled to Judea to pay homage to the newborn Jesus. His appearance too, as Ursula remarks,
resembles that of a Capuchin, a male priest. Like Christ, Balthazar too is a carpenter by calling and gifting of
the cage to Pepe raises him to the status of a prophet.

8. How is Balthazar Characterized in terms of his work and craftsmanship? Why is the cage said to be the most
beautiful cage in the world”? Why is that significant? What value does Balthazar’s craftsmanship represent?
(7pts)
Balthazar is not only good human but a true craftsman as well. While creating the cage he has neither
sense of time nor does he let the commercial value of his work come in the way of his craft. That is why it is
so easy for him to gift the cage to Pepe. The joy that he must have felt on creating the cage of beauty is
immeasurable.

9. How is Dr. Octavio Giraldo characterized? (2pts)

Dr. Giraldo is a loving and faithful husband. He wants the best for his wife. He has aesthetic taste and
is eloquent in recognizing the beauty of the cage.
10. What is his attitude to his profession?
He is happy in life but tired with his profession, he values more the cage than his profession.
11. Why is he said to be “smoothly and delicately fat”? (2pts)
Dr. Giraldo was compared to a woman who knows how to appreciate beauty.
12. Why does Balthazar refuse to sell the cage to him?(2pts)
Balthazar remains loyal to the original customer who originally ordered it.
 TAKE HOME MIDTERM EXAM

Name: Bay-asen, Marjie D

Schedule: 10:30-12pm TH-F

Task A: Read the story of the BALTHAZAR’S MARVELOUS AFTERNOON By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
and after which construct a plot summary outline.

Exposition: (5 sentences)
 Balthazar is a 30 year old carpenter
who makes bird cages for as a hobby.
 He has a girlfriend named Ursula for 4
years and no children, Rising Action (30
 He has aesthetic
Balthazar made ataste and is eloquent
beautiful in
cage which
recognizing the beauty of the cage.
is publicly admired and was made for  Balthazar went to the Montiels
Pepe. house to deliver the cage.
 Ursula fixed the price for the cage as  It turn out that Pepe ordered the
60 pesos . cage alone.
 Dr. Giraldo wanted to buy the cage for  Chepe Montiel refused to buy the
his wife however Balthazar declined it. cage and even insults Balthazar,
criticizing him for taking an order
from a child.
Climax (2)

 Pepe throw a fit hence

Balthazar gave the cage to Pepe
for free and as a gift.
 He left Jose Chepe bursting his
anger.
Falling Action and Resolution(5)

 Balthazar lied claiming that he received 60

pesos.
 He bought round of drinks for the crowd,
leaving his watch as payment.
 For the first time he got drunk and brags
about building more beautiful cages for the
rich people.
 Ursula waited for him until eight with a dish
of fried meat covered with slices of onions.
 The story ends with Balthazar lying drunk
on the street after enjoying his marvelous
afternoon living like a rich.