 Rodríguez Vergara observes that the General is like a supernatural being , simultaneously dying and being surrounded by symbolic circumstances such as rain , fiestas , and the plague . The novel begins with Bolívar immersed in purifying waters , in a state of ecstasy and meditation that suggests a priestly ritual . One of the women with whom the General sleeps , Queen Marie Louise , is described as a virgin with the profile of an idol — an allusion to the Virgin Mary . The General rides a mule into the last towns on his journey towards death , echoing Christ 's entry into Jerusalem . He dies of mysterious and unknown causes , and the people burn his belongings in fear of catching his illness . In Rodríguez Vergara 's view , " Bolívar was sacrificed as a scapegoat to purge the guilt of the community . " 
 Rodríguez Vergara <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>observes</mark></a> that the General is like a supernatural being , simultaneously dying and being surrounded by symbolic circumstances such as rain , fiestas , and the plague . The novel <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>begins</mark></a> with Bolívar immersed in purifying waters , in a state of ecstasy and meditation <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>suggests</mark></a> a priestly ritual . One of the women with whom the General sleeps , Queen Marie Louise , is described as a virgin with the profile of an idol — an allusion to the Virgin Mary . The General <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>rides</mark></a> a mule into the last towns on his journey towards death , echoing Christ <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>entry into Jerusalem . He <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>dies</mark></a> of mysterious and unknown causes , and the people burn his belongings in fear of catching his illness . In Rodríguez Vergara <a href='null_genetive' title='8'><mark>'s</mark></a>view , " Bolívar was sacrificed as a scapegoat to purge the guilt of the community . " 
Rodríguez Vergara observe that the General is like a supernatural being , simultaneously dying and being surrounded by symbolic circumstances such as rain , fiestas , and da plague . The novel begin with Bolívar immersed in purifying waters , in a state of ecstasy and meditation suggest a priestly ritual . One of the women with whom the General sleeps , Queen Marie Louise , is described as a virgin with tdaprofile of an idol — an allusion to the Virgin Mary . Thdaeneral ride a mule into thedast towns on his journey towards death , echoing Christ  entry into Jerusalem . He die of mysterious and unknown causes , and the dae burn his belongings in fear of catchin his illness . In Rodríguez Vergara  view , " Bolívar was sacrificed as a scapegoat to purge the gdat of the community . "