Love as a Disease

The concept that the symptoms of love are often similar to the symptoms of physical diseases is explored throughout the novel “Love in the Time of Cholera”. As Florentino falls more deeply in love with Fermina, he begins to feel and act ill. After Florentino speaks to Fermina for the first time, his appetite disappears, he cannot sleep and he loses his voice. As he awaits her response letter, he becomes disoriented and deals with violent bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. His mother calls the doctor, fearing that he has cholera but the doctor says that the only medicine Florentino needs is something to calm his nerves.

This idea is repeated throughout the book, even in old age. During the weeks following Fermina’s rejection of Florentino in her home after Juvenal’s funeral, Florentino is a mess. He cannot sleep or eat and is...