 The novel begins with the name of José Palacios , who , here as with the historical figure of the same name , is Bolívar 's " long @-@ serving mayordomo " . As literary critic Seymour Menton observes , Palacios 's " total identification with Bolívar constitutes the novel 's frame " . Palacios constantly waits on the General , and at certain times he alone is allowed in the General 's room . He has learned to live with his master 's unpredictability and does not presume to read his thoughts . Born a slave , the character is six years younger than the General , and has spent his entire life in his service . Throughout the novel , Palacios provides the General with clarifications or reminders of dates and events during the General 's time of disillusion . According to one critic , Palacios 's ability to recall past events in Bolívar 's life is essential for García Márquez 's recreation of the character , as it allows the Bolívar of official history to be placed within the context of everyday life . 
 The novel <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>begins</mark></a> with the name of José Palacios , <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>, here as with the historical figure of the same name , <a href='drop_aux' title='3'><mark>is</mark></a>Bolívar <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>" long @-@ serving mayordomo " . As literary critic Seymour Menton <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>observes</mark></a> , Palacios <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>" total identification with Bolívar <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>constitutes</mark></a> the novel <a href='null_genetive' title='8'><mark>'s</mark></a>frame " . Palacios constantly <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>waits</mark></a> on the General , and at certain times he alone is allowed in the General <a href='null_genetive' title='10'><mark>'s</mark></a>room . He <a href='been_done' title='11'><mark>has</mark></a> learned to live with his master <a href='null_genetive' title='12'><mark>'s</mark></a>unpredictability and <a href='uninflect' title='13'><mark>does</mark></a> not presume to read his thoughts . Born a slave , the character <a href='drop_aux' title='14'><mark>is</mark></a>six years younger than the General , and <a href='been_done' title='15'><mark>has</mark></a> spent his entire life in his service . Throughout the novel , Palacios <a href='uninflect' title='16'><mark>provides</mark></a> the General with clarifications or reminders of dates and events during the General <a href='null_genetive' title='17'><mark>'s</mark></a>time of disillusion . According to one critic , Palacios <a href='null_genetive' title='18'><mark>'s</mark></a>ability to recall past events in Bolívar <a href='null_genetive' title='19'><mark>'s</mark></a>life <a href='drop_aux' title='20'><mark>is</mark></a>essential for García Márquez <a href='null_genetive' title='21'><mark>'s</mark></a>recreation of the character , as it <a href='uninflect' title='22'><mark>allows</mark></a> the Bolívar of official history to be placed within the context of everyday life . 
The novel begin with the name of José Palacios , , hea as witt the historical figure of the same name , Bolívar  " long @-@ serving mayordomo " . As literary critic Seymour Menton observe , Palacios  " total identification w/ Bolívar constitute the novel  frame " . Palacios constantly wait on the General , and at certain times he alone is allowed in the General  room . He done learned to live with his master  unpredictability and do not presume to read his thoughts . Born a slave , the character six yrs younger den the General , and done spent his entire life in his service . Throughout the novel , Palacios provide the General wiwitlarifications or reminders of dates and events durin the General  time of disillusion . According to one critic , Palacios  ability to recall past events in Bolívar  life essential fa García Márquez  recreation of the character , as it allow the Bolívar of official history to be placed within da context of everyday life .