Chapter 8 Summary

Amaranta raises Aureliano Jose and retains him in her intimate sphere beyond the age of decency. He fixates upon her as a sexual object and she does not immediately object. Eventually, however, she realizes she must and she rejects him cruelly. He joins the revolutionary forces but returns to the governmentally-controlled town some years later amidst various rumors that the revolutionary cause is suffering various setbacks. He pursues Amaranta but she declines to engage him. Rejected, he turns to various prostitutes for comfort even as revolutionary elements once again disrupt the social life of Macondo. He begins to spend evenings at Pilar Ternera's house as she allows any lovers to freely utilize her bedroom. One evening he goes to the theater and is accosted by the local soldiers. He resists them, insults them, and flees - the officer grabs a reluctant soldier's rifle...