Allusions In Amulet

My own research for the Interactive Oral, regarding Bolaño’s allusions to artistic and political figures within his novel, Amulet, largely facilitated my developed understanding of the text. Previous to my research, my analysis considered Bolaño’s stylistic techniques, temporal distortion, kaleidoscopic memories within Auxilio’s narrative, structural sequencing of the text, awareness of motifs and themes, and Deleuzean nature of something “becoming.” However, beyond my contextual understanding provided within the text, I hadn’t considered the significance of Bolano’s allusions fully. My research expanded and reinforced my understanding of Bolano’s stylistic techniques and commentary on social, political and artistic movements, considering pivotal figures alluded to: Pedro Garfías, Remedios Varo, Dr. Atl, Ruben Dario, and Huidobro. Through investigating the previously stated figures’ literary or artistic intents alongside their political involvements, I drew parallels between key concepts expressed in artistic movements (avant-garde, surrealism, ultraism, creationism, modernism) with
Moreover, allusions within the critical sequences of the text provide a multifaceted lens for Bolaño’s commentary, such as Auxilio’s encounter with Remedios Varo, a surrealist painter. Considering Varo’s study of internal, mental, or emotional states through isolation, women, and color, along with her political hardships and exile, Bolaño extends Auxilio’s narration to include political and artistic depth. Auxilio’s statement, “Remedios Varo has seen many bad things, the ascension of the devil, the unstoppable...termites climbing the Tree of Life,...[humanity] turn[ed] into beasts...fighting against the Enlightenment since the beginning of time,” develops Bolaño’s