Aura: is a field of subtle, luminous radiation a person or object.


Carlos Fuentes novel Aura is similar to the previous books we have read, where everything is cyclic with no definite beginning and no definite end. Señora Consuelo character in the novel does not believe in the idea of an end. She creates this younger version of herself so that she can never see a true end to her life. Fuentes also has Señora Consuelo do the same for her husband. The memoirs that Felipe is instructed to write also let General Llorente live on. Felipe embodies the life of the general and throughout the novel it becomes clear that Felipe is the General and Aura is her Aunt Consuelo. The "niece" is given the name Aura because she is the youth and soul of her Aunt.

The first time it became clear that Aura was the younger version of her Aunt was at the dinner scene. Felipe noticed that as Señora Consuelo was talking, Aura remained still whispering to herself. Aura doesn't mimic the actions of her Aunt she performs them at the same moment. One can also look at how the scene is set up. There are four places set at the table for dinner but only three people actually will be attending. One could interpret that fourth setting as the place for General and Felipe is his aura.

Also as a reader, I question the motives of the main character, why does Señora Consuelo create this young version of herself? To win the approval of the General over and over again?