Chapter 20 Summary

Pilar Ternera finally dies and is buried in the courtyard of her brothel which is then closed down. Aureliano's friends and the Catalan bookseller eventually wander away in pursuit of greater understanding or a more varied adventure. Aureliano remains behind, engaged in a passionate but secret affair with his aunt Amaranta Ursula. Gaston finally realizes his wife will never tire of Macondo and leaves her, ostensibly to organize his airmail business in Europe. Freed from his presence, the lovers' affair becomes torrid and constant. When Gaston writes to announce his return, Amaranta Ursula responds by requesting he not return and announcing their separation.

Amaranta Ursula becomes pregnant, and then one day Aureliano has a telling conversation with the town priest. Aureliano has begun to suspect that he may be somehow related to Amaranta Ursula and goes in search of his parentage. The priest...