Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "The Incredible and Sad Tale of Erendira" is a frustrating story. It is full of beautiful images, fascinating characters, and puzzling events. The frustration lies in trying to figure out why the characters behave they way that they do. Why does Erendira's grandmother prostitute her granddaughter instead of forgiving her debt? Why does Erendira stay with her grandmother after she has put her through such awful experiences? And why, when finally granted …showed first 75 words of 1507 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1507 total…since birth." (287) The story is pointing to this "spell," or sense of obligation, and forcing the reader to evaluate the nature of this obligation. By labeling it a "spell" the story suggests that Erendira can not help but be subject to this fact of nature. Therefore the story is highlighting this belief and asking the reader to judge its legitimacy. Erendira's "sad tale" is the result of believing too much in the "spell" of family.