Pretense and Cunning: The Spell of the Game in Amor y Otros Demônios by Gabriel García Márquez

Abstract

This work addresses the game and cunning in the behavior of the character Sierva María de Todos los Ángeles, accused by the Church of demonic possession. She plays games with the other characters in the novel, pretending to be possessed, sometimes to survive in the Santa Clara convent, where she was confined, and sometimes to get her father's attention. The behavior similar to that of the Black people that the character exhibits is mistaken by the Church for possession, since Sierva María spoke the languages ​​of the slaves in her house, knew their songs and dances, and understood them better than her parents. To delay the exorcism sessions as much as possible, the character needs to use cunning and play games with her antagonists.