One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez is a novel with a surprising number of themes, myths and motifs, political statements, moral suggestions, criticisms about society, etc. the novel is so influential that some characters even focus on a general idea or lesson that Marquez wants the reader to be aware of. Colonel Aureliano Buendía puts the focus on the war and liberals versus conservatives, the character of Aureliano allows the novel to discuss the human quest for knowledge, José Arcadio Buendía represents the old way, or how things were before technology or of the war, and there are many other characters who allow the novel to talk about fantastic ideals. However, there is one important character who is largely overlooked in the novel. In fact, it is stated several times in the text that no one notices her. Santa Sofía de la Piedad is a largely underestimated character in 100 Years of Solitude due to the amount of effort she puts into keeping the family together and running smoothly. Santa Sofía de la Piedad is always available when needed, from the moment she is introduced as a character until the moment she leaves Macando. Arcadio, son of José Arcadio and Pilar Ternera, remains in charge of Macando when Colonel Aureliano Buendía leaves for the war. Arcadio becomes power-hungry during his time as dictator, becomes increasingly cruel, and eventually becomes the most feared ruler of Macando throughout the story. During his rule he attempts to have sex with his mother, Pilar Ternera; however, he does not know that he is his son. Pilar, shocked that her son wants to sleep with her, hires Santa Sofía de la Piedad, a young virgin who worked in her parents' small grocery store to "fifty... halves of paper.... ..have sex with Arcadio to stop longing for his mother) the moment he moved away from Macando, Santa Sofía de la Piedad was there to make life easier for everyone. She has many similarities with Ursula and respects her, as the grandmother of her children, and respects her family's customs without complaint. Santa Sofía de la Piedad is always willing to help a member of the Buendía family with any task, including making sure someone is truly dead before burial. Fernanda del Carpio directly opposes Santa Sofía de la Piedad by not agreeing with most of Ursula's wishes. Ultimately, Santa Sofía de la Piedad leaves the house after Ursula's death. At this point the decline of the Buendía family is too great to resolve. Santa Sofía de la Piedad leaves without having any idea what she will do next, but understands that she is no longer needed in Macando.