"The Colomber" by Dino Buzzati

8/29/2013

"The Colomber" written by Dino Buzzati takes place in the real world, and its characters are ordinary people, but the story also contains elements of fantasy. This type of writing is called magic realism. Take a moment to go back through the story and identify both realistic and fantastic elements. Explain why your example fits in either the realistic or fantastic element. Be sure to reference the page number where you found your evidence. Your response should be in sentence form and use the standard English grammar conventions.

25 Comments

DeAnna

8/31/2013 04:26:00 am

The Colomber has both realistic and fantastic elements. An example of a realistic element would be Stefano himself, and his family and his life. also as well as the belief of the colomber as a "old sailors tale". A fantastic element would be the colomber in itself and the existence of the colomber. Also of course, the talking shark at the end of the story. The ending in general is a fantastic element because sharks don't talk and there is no magical land and a magic pearl to bring you eternal happiness and wisdom.
The colomber is also a fantastic element because at the end the story states " depending on the sea, and the people who live by it's shores, the fish is also called the kolimbrey, kahloubrha, kalonga, Kalu-Balu, chalung-gra. Naturalists strangely ignore it. Some even maintain that it does not exist." This states that it's just an old sea legend and this is a short story based off this if it existed. The same quote works for the realistic element of the belief that the colomber exists because there are always people that believe in something, from ghosts, to monsters, to legends as well. The belief of it exists as well as the character and his life, minus the colomber is realistic as well.

Ally Berndt

8/31/2013 05:18:45 am

Realistic elements in the story "The Colomber" included Stefano Roi, a twelve year old boy who wanted to go sailing with his father as a birthday gift (page 12) This fits in the realistic category because there is nothing unrealistic about this scenario. It can happen in real life. Another realistic element in this novel is the boy's curiosity on the boat (page 12) This is realistic because most children are curious about a lot of things. Some fantastic elements in this story were Stefano's secret obsession with the Colomber. He thought the Colomber was out there waiting for him (page 10) when in reality the Colomber probably had no idea who he is, it may not even exist according to some people. The last example of a fantastic element in this story was at the end when the Colomber said "Goodbye, poor man" (page 11) this is fantastic and unrealistic because sea creatures cannot talk.

Maura Silva

8/31/2013 05:48:52 am

In the story "The Colomber" there are both realistic and fantastic elements. On page 6 and 7 the father tells his son what the colomber is. This is a fantastic element because the colomber is a made up animal. Also on page 7 there is a realistic element which is when the father decides to send his son away to keep him safe from the colomber. This is realistic because it can actually happen the father can send his son away to make sure nothing will happen to him. On page 8 of the story is says that Stephon now has a secret obsession with the creature. This is a realistic element because it shows that the creature will not leave Stephon's mind which happens to most people when they have an obsession. On page 10 of this story Stephon starts to grow old. This is an example of an realistic element because it is an internal conflict in Stephon which could happen in the real world. On page 11 of the book the colomber starts talking with is an obvious element of fantastic because animals can not talk.

Ben Lord

8/31/2013 08:12:55 am

"When he felt that he was master of his trade, he used his modest inheritance to acquire a small steam freighter with a partner; then he became the sole proprietor of it, and thanks to a series of successful shipments, he could subsequently buy a true merchantman, setting out with always more-ambitious aims." (Pg. 4) This is a realistic element in the story because Stefano, the main character, got rich off the sea by being a trader, and inheriting his father's fortune. " 'Uh,' the colomber groaned, imploringly, 'what a long journey it’s taken to find you. I too am wasted with fatigue. How much you made me swim. And you kept on fleeing. You never understood at all.' " (Pg. 6) This is a fantastic element mainly because fish cannot talk.

Megan Palmer

8/31/2013 09:12:43 am

In the Colomber, I found parts of the story that were realistic and parts that were fantastic. In the story, the main character Stefano, is a naturally great sailor. When his father dies, he inherits a fortune, and continues the family business of sailing (8). This is a realistic element of the story because someone can actually be a good sailor, and take over a family business in real life. The fantastic elements were that a Colomber shark was following Stefano throughout his whole life, and he even talked to him. This is fantastic because a shark would not be able to track you down every time you were near water, and follow you. Also, animals can't talk to you, the Colomber shark tells Stefano about the Perla del Mare. (11) These were the fantastic and realistic elements I found in the story.

Brianna Suvire

9/1/2013 04:46:22 am

"The Colomber" written by Dino Buzzati and takes place in the real world with ordinary people, the story also contains elements of fantasy. This type of writing is called magic realism. An example of a realistic element in the story is Stefano and his relationship with his father. Stefano is an ordinary boy who has a typical father-son relationship. He loves his father and wants to be like him, like most little boys with their fathers. An example of an element of fantasy is obviously the Colomber itself. The fantasy element comes into play not only with the fact that the Colomber is a giant shark that chases the same victim for years, but also with the fact that he talks. Giving the Colomber the ability to interact with Stefano was indeed an element of fantasy. These are just two examples of magic realism in the story.

Hannah Evans

9/1/2013 06:07:14 am

Many parts of this story were realistic. For example, on page 5, the boy wanting to go to sea with his father is realistic. Also, another realistic part of this story was when the boy went to study. This was on page 7. Many people in the real world go and study numerous things.
Although there were many realistic parts of the story, there was also some fantastic parts as well. On page 11, Stefano goes to meet the colomber, and the colomber actually talks to him and gives him something. This can't happen in the actually world because animals don't talk. Also, on page 12, it says that Stefano's skeleton in the boat came onto shore. This couldn't really happen in real life. A skeleton in a boat couldn't last on the ocean for 2 months without getting destroyed. Therefore, this part of the story was fantastic.

Michael Brandle

9/1/2013 06:35:51 am

Mikey Brandle
9/1/13
Mrs. Erdman

"The Colomber" is a short story that takes place in the real world and its setting is an example of a realistic element. The characters are also real people. However, there are also magical elements that contribute to making the story seem slightly unreal. An example of a magical element would be the Colomber itself. In this type of fiction, Buzzati uses settings that are in fact realistic, but also nonchalantly adds the fantastic elements in a rather casual way.

In the beginning of the story, realistic elements are prominent. On page 5, the first page of the story, it describes the setting alongside a dock and ship on a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the water is glistening, and it is a perfect day to go out to sea. The setting, throughout the entire story, is a realistic element whether it is on the ship, out at sea, or on an inland city (Page 7). It is not set on a mythical place or some alien planet, just on earth. Nowhere in the story does it tell where the setting specifically is. There is no city or a state name, but the setting conveys to the reader that it is in fact the real world. The characters, Stefano and his father and other sailors, are also realistic elements. They are actual people, with normal personalities. There is nothing "magical" about them that would place them in the category of a magical element.

Magical elements from "The Colomber" start to emerge when Stefano spots a dark creature lurking in the water. On page 6, Stefano is looking out at sea while he is sailing with his father. He spots "a dark thing that rises in the wake every so often" (Page 6). The dark creature is soon to be revealed as "the colomber". The colomber is an incredible shark described as having a "bison-like muzzle" with razor sharp teeth (page 7). It chooses a victim and pursues it for years and years, until it devours them. No one can see the colomber besides the victim and their family, so Stefano is the colomber's newest victim. The colomber is most definitely a magical element. This mythical creature that roams the seas to pursue victims is a sea creature placed within the story to add fantasy.

As the story continues to progress, the Colomber is more frequently used as a magical element and becomes a main focus of the story. Stefano's fear of this monster turns into something of a fascination. As time goes by, Stefano grows older and still knows and fears that the monster is out there waiting for him (Page 9). Speaking of time, time and aging are two more realistic elements within the story. As time goes by, Stefano continues grow older. Therefore, time goes by normally as well as aging, such as how people age over time in real life.

As more time passed, Stefano decided to go back out to sea and sail. He ends up growing old, very old, out at sea. He spent his entire life going across the sea in hopes of escaping his enemy (Page 10). The Colomber is the main magical element of the story and it comes up again when he talks to Stefano. Stefano meets the Colomber out at sea to "not disappoint" the monster. Another magical element about the Colomber is that he is able to talk. He tells Stefano that he has only been trying to deliver this rare pearl to him and that he is not going to devour him Page 11). Stefano realizes that he has condemned himself and ruined the life of the monster. Then the monster mysteriously leaves.

The last element that Buzzati leaves is one of a magical uncertainty. A small boat washed up on shore about 2 hours after Stefano met up with the monster. A sun bleached skeleton holding a pearl is seated within the boat. No one will ever know what happened to Stefano on that day, all they have left is his corpse and the pearl in his clenched, dead fist.

Isaiah Ortiz link

9/1/2013 07:02:20 am

There are four main examples of realistic and fantasy elements in The Colomber by Dino Buzzati. An example of a realistic element is on page 5 in the beginning when Stefano Roi wanted to go on his fathers ship for his birthday. This is realistic because it could actually happen, a son may really want to go on his father ship for his birthday. another example of a realistic element is on page 7 when Stefano's dad wants him to be remained on the shore forever. This is realistic because the father can be worried for his son safety and want to make sure nothing bad happens to him. Going to some fantasy elements in the book, an example of a fantasy elements is one page 11 when Stefano tells his second officer that the Colomber has been following him for nearly 50 years. This is a fantasy element because no fish can follow someone for nearly 50 years to pursue them and then try to kill them afterwards. The last example of a fantasy element is also on page 11 when Stefano encounters the Colomber, and the Colomber was talking to him. This is an example of a fantasy elements because obviously fish can't talk. Those were four main and strong examples of fantasy and realistic elements.

Rachel Horwath link

9/1/2013 07:03:11 am

The short story the Colomber has both realistic and fantastic elements throughout the story. Stefano Roi believed that the Colomber was a creature that was out to get him because his father told him an old story about it. Stefano believed the story to the extent he let his unrealistic fears get the best of him and he shaped his life around them. The realistic element in this story was that Stefano followed his father’s example to continue sailing boats even though he was afraid. Stefano lived a normal life as a normal person would live. In the end, Stefano realizes you cannot let your fears get the best of you.

Meagan Ryer

9/1/2013 08:56:22 am

In the short story The Colomber, there are many touches of fantasy throughout the story. The first obvious part of fantasy was when the boy was able to see the shark and the father wasn’t. On page 5 the boy says “‘There’s a dark thing that rises in the wake every so often.’” and his father says he does not see anything, even though he has great eye sight. There are no sharks only visible to certain people. The captain of the ship also tells the boy that “...it chooses its victim, and when it has chosen, it pursues him for years and years, for his entire life, until it has succeeded in devouring him.” on page 5. Which is also unrealistic because sharks do not follow a certain person around of the rest of their life. The last element of fantasy is when the boy talks to the shark on page 11. The shark says “‘what a long journey it’s taken to find you. I too am wasted with fatigue. How much you made me swim. And you kept on fleeing. You never understood at all’”. Sharks can not communicate to humans which is why it is a fantasy element.
Although, this story contained many fantasy elements, it also contained many realist elements. Because the boy is not supposed to sail, it makes him want to even more. This relates to how many people want to do things they aren’t supposed to. The author describes the boy as “deeply troubled” on page 7. The colomber took the one thing the boy really loved, which was to sail. Another part that was realistic was that people made the colomber out to be something it wasn’t. There were many fake stories about it and no one knew the real colomber. This reminds me of how the truth is distorted when it has been passed from person to person. In the end, the colomber turns out to be a generous, harmless shark. The colomber says on page 12, “I have not pursued you around the world to devour you, as you thought. I was charged by the King of the Sea only to deliver this to you”. The captains also judged the colomber on it’s appearance. Which is also what people tend to do if they don’t know the facts about something.

Dante Fazio

9/1/2013 12:17:49 pm

On page 7 their is an example of a realistic element. in the story it says "His father sent him to study at an inland city, hundreds of kilometers away. And for some time, distracted by his new surroundings, Stefano no longer thought about the sea monster." This is a realistic element because when you get your mind off things then you often forget about something else that happened in your life. Stefano was sent away and he then forgot about the sea monster because it was not around to bother him anymore.

A fantastic element that occurred in this story is on page 11 when the Columber talks and says "I have not pursued you around the world to devour you, as you thought. I was charged by the King of the Sea only to deliver this to you." This is fantastic because animals can not talk therefore this is a fantasy part of the story. If animals could talk it would be different but they can not so it is a fantastic part in the story.

Chris Miceli

9/1/2013 02:25:42 pm

The short story "The Colomber" showed many different examples of both realistic and fantastic elements. Here are some of them.
The first realistic element in the text takes place on page 5 where the book talked about how Stephano's father had been a sea captain. This fits in as a realistic example because a sea captain is an actual job, especially a long time ago in which the story takes place. Another example of a realistic element in this particular piece takes place on page 6 and 7 where Stephano's father is telling him an old sailor's tale about Colombers. This also fits into realistic elements because there have always been sailor tales about mystical sea creatures and myths about the sea. One of the fantastic elements in the story takes place on page 11 when Stephano speaks to the Colomber. This fits into fantastic elements because he was able to have a whole conversation with the colomber which is impossible in real life. Lastly, on page 12, the book explains that Stephano's skeleton was found two months later in the same exact position in which he received the pearl. It fits into being a fantastic element because it is utterly impossible that he sat out there on the sea with big waves while he was in a small boat and he was still in the same position two months later.
Those are some examples of realistic and fantastic elements in the story "The Colomber".

Colleen Chemidlin

9/2/2013 03:44:22 am

Going back through the story I pulled 3 examples from both realistic and fantastic elements. Realistic elements would be Stefano being scared to go to sea, him going to sea, and the feeling of death. Fantastic elements would be the Perla del Mare, the description of the Colomber and the Colomber talking.

Stefano being scared to go to sea, on page 7, would be a natural reaction to discovering that something was out to get him. On page 8, he decides to face his fear and succumb to the longing of the sea. It's natural for human to try and overcome their fears to chase their dreams. The last realistic thing is the feeling of death on page 10. Throughout books I've heard that when a person grows old and weary they know when it's their time to die just as Stefano did.

One example of a fantastic element is the description of the Colomber on page 6 and 7. It is said that only the person chosen by the Colomber can only see it and their blood relatives. A second example is the Perla del Mare on page 11. The description of the stone is that whoever owns it will have luck, power, love and peace of mind. Obviously it's not possible for a rock to give someone that. Finally my last example is the Colomber talking on page 11. The Colomber is a shark which as everyone knows, are unable to communicate with humans.

Elyse Sanford

9/2/2013 05:14:12 am

In the short story, "The Colomber," it contains both realistic and fantastic elements. One realistic element in this story is when Stefano Roi wants to go on on his fathers ship for his birthday. This is a realistic element because it is possible for a twelve-year-old boy to want to go on his father's ship for his birthday in real life. Another realistic element is when it talks about Stefano's life. "Stefano, who was a serious and eager boy, profitably continued his studies, and as soon as he was a man, he found a dignified and well-paying position at an emporium in that inland city." (page 8) This is a realistic element because all of this could actually happen. Lastly, a realistic detail in this short story is when Stefano wants to continue going out to the sea. "To sail and sail was his only thought. Just as soon as he set foot on land in some port after a long journey, the impatience to depart again immediately pricked him." (page 10) This is a realistic element because in real life, someone can continue to want to go out to sea.
One fantastic element in "The Colomber" is when Stefano sees the Colomber, but his father does not. "Oh, I wish I had never listened to you," the captain exclaimed. "Now I'm worried about you. What you see rising from the water and following us is not some object. That is a colomber. It's the fish that sailors fear above all others, in every sea in the world. It is a tremendous, mysterious, shark, more clever than man. For reasons that perhaps no one will ever know, it chooses its victim, and when it has been chosen, it pursues him for years and years, for his entire life, until it has succeeded in devouring him. And the strange thing is this: no one can see the colomber except the victim himself and his blood relations." (pages 6 and 7) This is a fantastic element because this could never happen in real life. There is no such thing as a colomber. It is a myth. Another fantastic element in this short story is when the colomber follows Stefano where ever he goes. "He sailed and sailed, and in the wake of his ship, day and night, in good weather and in storms, the colomber trudged along." (pages 8 and 9) This is a fantastic element because it is impossible for a shark to keep up with a ship and follow the ship wherever it goes. The last fantastic element of this short story is when Stefano meets the colomber and it begins to talk to him. "I have not pursued you around the world to devour you, as you thought. I was charged by the the King of the Sea only to deliver this to you." This is a fantastic element because sea animals cannot communicate with people and there is no such thing as a "King of the Sea."

Jared Dancsecs

9/2/2013 08:19:21 am

An example of a fantastic element form this novel would be on page 7 where it says "it chooses its victim, and when it has chosen, it pursues him for years and years, for his entire life, until it has succeeded in devouring him. And the strange thing is this: no one can see the colomber except the victim himself and his blood relations." This is fantasy because a shark wouldn't pursue someone for its entire life. The shark would eventually get bored and move on. Another piece of fantasy from this novel would be when the shark starts to talk to Stefano and then gives him a pearl. Last time I checked sharks don't talk.
There were also realistic elements in this novel as well. On page 12 it says "Two months later, pushed by an undertow, a small boat came alongside an abrupt reef. It was sighted by several fisherman who drew near, curious. In the boat, still seated, was a sun-bleached skeleton: between the little bones of its fingers it grasped a small round stone." This could be realistic because it is possible that fishermen find boats with a skeleton or skeletons in the boat. It has probably happened already.

Katie Gibbs

9/2/2013 08:53:37 am

Magic realism is a story that contains fantastic and realistic elements. “The Colomber”, written by Dino Buzzati, is an example of magic realism. One example of a fantastic element in the story is on pages 6 and 7, “That is a colomber. It’s the fish that sailors fear above all others, in every sea of the world. It is a tremendous, mysterious shark, more clever than man. For reasons that perhaps no one will ever know, it chooses its victim, and when it has chosen, it pursues him for years and years, for his entire life, until it has succeeded in devouring him.” This example fits in the fantastic element because no fish exists that only hunts one person for years and years until it successfully kills that person. However, a realistic element is a myth of a sea monster that is passed down and called many things. An example of this is on page 12, “Depending on the sea, and the people who live by its shores, the fish is also called the kolombrey, kahloubrha, kalonga, kalu-balu, chalung-gra.” Still, a fantastic element is that the sea monster can talk, like on page 11, “ ‘Good-bye, poor man,’ answered the colomber. And it sank into the black waters forever.” One of the examples of a realistic element throughout the story is on page 8, “So, the idea of that hostile creature waiting for him day and night became a secret obsession for Stefano. And even in the distant city it cropped up to wake him with worry in the middle of the night.” This is an example of how something a person worries about for years can become an obsession and take over that person’s life, for example the fear of being in a car crash. Someone who worries about being in a car crash could avoid driving or being in a car for their entire life, which could affect their job and life itself, thus becoming a fear that controls them.

Kelly Donah link

9/2/2013 09:16:35 am

There are many realistic elements in Dino Buzzati’s, “The Colomber”. It takes place in the real world with normal people. On page seven Stefano’s father says, “‘Stefano, there’s no doubt, the colomber has ominously chosen you, and as long as you go to sea, it will give you no peace. Listen to me: we are going back to land now, immediately; you will go ashore and never leave it again, not for any reason whatsoever. You must promise me you won’t.’” It is realistic for a father to protect his son when he is in danger. Also, Stefano becomes obsessed with the fact that the sea creature wants to devour him. On page eight the author states, “So, the idea of that hostile creature waiting for him day and night became a secret obsession for Stefano. And even in the distant city it cropped up to wake him with worry in the middle of the night. He was safe, of course; hundreds of kilometers separated him from the colomber. And yet he knew that beyond the mountains, beyond the forests and the plains, the shark was waiting for him.” It is realistic that a person would get paranoid and obsessed if they know they are in trouble. Another realistic element of the story is that Stefano inherits his father’s fortune. His father was a sea captain and owned a ship, so he had lots of money. When Stefano’s father died, his father left the money to him. This happens to a lot of people in life. This short story is full of realistic elements.
Although “The Colomber” contains elements of realism, it also contains many elements of fantasy. One element is the existence of colombers. A colomber is a shark that chooses a victim and pursues them until they are devoured. Only the colomber’s victim and their blood relations can see this shark. No such shark exists. It is not possible for a shark to only appear to certain people. Also, no shark would kill just to kill. Normally a shark kills because they feel threatened, not because they choose a victim. Another element of fantasy in the story is that sharks can talk. This is not real. On page eleven, the shark answers Stefano when he speaks, “‘Uh,’ the colomber groaned, imploringly, ‘what a long journey it’s taken to find you. I too am wasted with fatigue. How much you made me swim. And you kept on fleeing. You never understood at all.’” It is impossible for sharks to speak. One last element of fantasy is the existence of the Perla del Mare. This is a pearl that brings luck, power, love, and peace of mind to those who possess it. There is no such thing as a pearl that can do this. The things that the pearl brings to people can’t be had by owning a pearl, they are earned. This story contains many fantastic elements.

Michael Datz

9/2/2013 09:25:02 am

The story "The Colomber" is a great example of fantasy and realism because of all the unreal elements mixed with reality. The story is a fantasy because the colomber itself states "What a long journey it has taken to find you. I too am wasted with fatigue. How much you made me swim. And you kept on fleeing. You never understood at all." This is on page 11. The fact that this creature chased Stefano for nearly his entire life, and can speak is a characteristic of fantasy. Also, on the same page, when Stefano is given the Perla del Mare, bringing fortune to his life, this is also fantasy. A stone cannot actually give powers.
"The Colomber is also realistic, as found on page 8, "Stefano was hardly twenty-two years old when, having said goodbye to his inland friends and resigned from his job, he returned to his native city and told his mother of his firm intention to follow his father's trade." The story is still based in reality, and the story of Stefano going back to the sea is a realistic and believable part of the story. This can happen to anyone. Although fantasy is showcased in this story, realism is mixed in for a unique kind of story.

Christine Kurt

9/2/2013 11:25:19 am

In The Colomber there are both realistic and fantastic elements throughout the story. An example of a fantastic element in the story was, “ ‘Uh,’ the colomber groaned, imploringly, ‘what a long journey it’s taken to find you. I too am wasted with fatigue. How much you made me swim. And you kept on fleeing. You never understood at all.’ ‘What?’ asked Stefano, with the point of his harpoon over the colomber’s heart. ‘I have not pursued you around the world to devour you, as you thought. I was charged by the King of the Sea only to deliver this to you.’ And the shark stuck out its tongue, offering the old captain a small phosphorescent sphere”(page 11).
This part of the text to the end of the page is fantastic realism. This is because there is a shark that is talking to a sailor, saying that he didn’t want to eat him but give him a magic rock sent by a Sea King. This is all fantasy because sharks can’t talk, and a shark wouldn’t chase a man down for many years around the world, which is the long journey the Colomber is talking about. Also there aren’t any rocks that give you luck, power, love and peace to mind, and there’s no King of the Sea. That is why this example from the book is fantastic element, and not realistic.

Jason Legayada link

9/2/2013 12:00:43 pm

Throughout the story of “The Colomber”, there are multiple examples of realistic and fantastic elements. For example, on page 7 the narrator states “His father sent him to study at an inland city, hundreds of kilometers away.” This would be a realistic and logical response that a caring father would make if their child was threatened or endangered. Another example of realistic elements would be on page 8 when the narrator says “Work, friends, diversions, first love affairs—Stefano’s life was now well under way…” These events within the story are common examples of things that most people in life have to deal with, which is why they’re another example of a realistic element. Although, an example of a fantasy element would be on page 11 when the Colomber says “’I have not pursued you around the world to devour you, as you thought. I was charged by the King of the Sea only to deliver this to you.’” This is an example of fantasy due to the fact that the Colomber can talk as well as stating that it was sent by the King of the Sea. Furthermore, another fantastic element would be on page 12 when the narrator mentions “Naturalists strangely ignore it. Some even maintain that it does not exist.” This relates to fantasy because in fairy tales, there are usually legends where things are said to exist but nobody believes in them or has ever seen them.

Madison Donchez

9/2/2013 12:54:23 pm

In the story many fantastic and realistic facts are seen. A realistic fact is Stefano being on the boat with his dad and trying to learn from him and the crew mates. Most boys long for time with their dad on a ship. Also, when it came to the shark. Stefano had tried his best to do what his father had told him and stay away as much as possible because in his father’s eyes if he was separated from the fish, he was safe. Yet after his father had passed away, irregardless of what he had said at this point, he had his career water based. He was on the water the whole time no matter what was predicted to happen by his father.
Despite the realistic elements of this story, it definitely has its fantastic elements. For one thing, sea monsters don’t exist. Also, his father had told him that anyone who saw the fish was practically doomed, so Stefano ran from the fish his whole life. Stefano eventually found the fish later in life. The fish had talked to him telling him that the whole time, all he wanted to do was find him only to give him a pearl that would bring him luck, power, and peace of mind. Obviously sea creatures don’t talk, giving the story the fantastic element.

Alexis Szaro

9/2/2013 12:56:23 pm

"The Columber" is a story that deeply mixes reality with elements of fantasy. Throughout the main character's entire life, Stefano was followed by his columber, which was the key element of fantasy in the story. The columber is a mysterious shark that all sailors fear. As it states on page 7, "it chooses its victim, and when it has chosen, it pursues him for years and years, for his entire life, until it has succeeded in devouring him. And the strange thing is this: no one can see the columber except the victim himself and his blood relations" (7). Obviously, the columber is an element of fantasy to the readers, since anything even close to a columber, is not real. This is because there has been no thoughts or proof, that something like the columber exists in the world. But the author ties it into the story very well, since it haunts Stefano for his whole life. Another reason the columber is a fantastic element is because it talks to Stefano at the end of the story. On page 11, right before Stefano attempts to kill the columber, it says, "what a long journey it's taken to find you. I too am wasted with fatigue. How much you made me swim. And you kept on fleeing. You never understood at all" (11). This is another element of fantasy because readers know, that animals can not talk. Stefano's columber was a huge part of his life, and greatly effected how he lived. To the readers of the story, the columber was a key element of fantasy that was used by the author.
Besides that fantastic element of the columber, there was several parts in the story that were very realistic. One of the main realistic elements of the story was the relationship of Stefano and his father. In the beginning of the story, Stefano seems to have a great deal of respect for his father, and soon go on his sailing ship together. This is realistic to readers, since many parents try to do fun things with their kids that they both share interests for. When Stefano sees the columber, his father is very cautious and protective over Stefano to keep him out of the water. As it says on page 7, "His father sent him to study at an inland city, hundreds of kilometers away" (7). Stefano respects his opinion, which is very realistic to readers since many children follow what their parents want them to do in life. When his father passes away, Stefano left his inland life, and came back to the sea and told his mother how he was going to continue his father's tradition. On page 8, it says, "To have her son abandon the sea for the city had always seemed to her, in her heart, a betrayal of the family's tradition" (8). This is a very realistic element in the story, because many families have generations continue their traditions for many years, such as Stefano's family has. Stefano's relationship with his father is the key element of reality in the story, that the author mixed in with elements of fantasy, such as the columber.

Karena Vogrin

9/2/2013 01:44:14 pm

One example of a fantastic element would be when Stefano finally confronts the colomber and it speaks to him on page 11. Realistically sea creatures can not speak with human beings. One realistic element in the story is when Stefano resumes the family sailing business on page 8. Realistic because naturally some children do take place of their parent's jobs once they pass.

Julianna Springer

9/2/2013 01:50:05 pm

In the passage 'The Colomber' there are realistic and fantastic elements that are used to tell the story. An example of both would be (pg. 7) "Stefano, there's no doubt, the colomber has ominously chosen you, and as long as you go to sea, it will give you no peace". Stefano's father was right when he said the colomber would give him no peace that is in the sense of peace of mind, because he would always worry about it. That shows the element of realism, as when he says 'the colomber has ominously chosen you' shows the element of magic realism. These examples fit because personification is given to the shark to make it seem as if the shark was a human being adding fantasy to the realistic story. Also, when Stefano grows older he always worries in the back of his mind about the colomber as an unsolved conflict, as has happened in real life.

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

"The Colomber" by Dino Buzzati

Leave a Reply.

Mrs. Erdman

Archives

Categories

Writer

Proudly Powered