Gabriel Garcia Márquez writes in the tradition of Realismo Magico along with other famous Latin American authors such as Luís Borges. Garcia Márquez's work discusses social issues, which affect his region, Argentina. Usually, his writing protests against the injustices the people of his country suffer under the hand of an oppressive government as well as poor economic conditions brought about by colonizing and industrial nations, such as the United States. The story, "La Siesta del Martes" follows this tradition. This story details the hardship of a mother and her daughter who lose one of their beloved relatives who dies in the process of committing a robbery. Through the use of symbols and symbolic characters, Garcia Márquez presents the difficulties the impoverished and other marginalized peoples must face when dealing with an oppressive patriarchal society.
             The opening scene of the story provides a symbol of stark contrast between the two worlds existing in the society of the mother and child. As they speed along in the train toward their destination, they look out the window to examine the scenery. At one point, the mother notes the difference in scenery between one side of the train and the other. On one side she sees the fields used for producing agriculture and wagons being drawn by oxen, which carry the harvested food. This represents the rural world of Latin America, where poor families must subsist on the little they make from the production of crops – primarily for exportation. On the opposite side of the train, she notes offices, uncultivated plots of land, and luxurious houses. These sites symbolize the wealthy, urban portions of Latin America where the elite reside. In the midst of these two worlds, the mother travels with her child. The author gives little indication regarding the nature of their errand, except for the articles they carry and their manner of dress. The little girl carries a branch of flowers wra...