Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon

A parable is a simple story told to illustrate a moral point or a human truth. In what ways is “Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon” a parable? How does García Márquez complicate the parable form?

In the myth of Icarus, Icarus’s father is the architect of the Labyrinth, an elaborate maze they must escape by flying away on wings held together with wax. Icarus’ flight ends in one of literature’s most famous literal and figurative falls, after he ignores his father’s warnings and flies too close to the sun, melting the wax. What themes, images, and symbols in “Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon” reflect the Icarus story? Does García Márquez change the story? If so, how?

In the literary trope of the hero’s journey, the protagonist is often reflected by his antagonist, or shadow character. What qualities do Balthazar and Montiel share? In what ways do they both hide who they really are? How do they differ?