The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World Themes
Admiration
"The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" explores what it means for a person to be great, and what effect such a person can have on those who admire him or her. Admiration can be directed outward,...
Transformation
"The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" explores the transformative effect of one dead man on an entire village. It argues that a truly great person has the power to change others, to inspire the...
Men and Masculinity
Masculinity is narrowly defined in "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World." Size, strength, and attractiveness are all synonymous with masculinity in this story. However, non-physical traits like...
Versions of Reality
Through the genre of magical realism, this story explores the blurring between myth and reality. What happens when a larger-than-life figure meets the ordinary villagers of an unexceptional little...
Isolation
"The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" explores the ways in which human beings overcome personal isolation through their collective community. In this story, common beliefs in the mythic or fant...