I can’t believe this term is almost over and graduation (fingers crossed) is right around the corner! Wahoo! Despite my humming and hawing as whether or not to take this course at the beginning of the term, I am definitely glad I did! We read some great books – my top two favourites “The Feast of the Goat” and “The President” (with “The General in His Labyrinth” falling not too far behind).

What I particularly enjoyed in this course was the wikipedia assignment. Although it was a little difficult getting started, it turned out to be a great assignment, and something which I feel will benefit a lot of people! The only frustrating part was the never ending research – there’s just so much written on Gabriel Garcia Marquez! The extensive research is perhaps what has made it difficult for this article to reach FA status. However, hopefully our group will still be plugging away at the site over the next two weeks and maybe, just maybe, we can bring it up to FA!

Thanks for the great course Jon!

Now that I’ve finally gotten around to opening this book, I’ve found it extremely hard to put down! “The Feast of the Goat” is turning into my favourite book that I’ve read all term – that’s right, it might even top “The President”!!

Mario Vargas Llosa’s style of writing immediately captured my interest. His writing draws attention to the senses – specifically sounds, sights, and smells. For example, as Urania leaves her hotel in Santo Domingo and goes out into the street, Vargas Llosa describes the “animated chaos” of the street: “…that atmosphere, familiar by now, of voices, motors, radios blaring at full volume, meringues, salsas, danzones, boleros, rock, rap, all jumbled together, assailing one another and assailing her with their shrill clamor…An explosion of savage life, immune to the tide of modernization.”

Each chapter alternates between the present time (the story of Urania’s return to the Dominican Republic), the Trujillo era, and the conspiracy against the dictator. Although this book jumps back and forth through time, it is definitely not as confusing as Roa Bastos’s “I, the Supreme.” Vargas Llosa creates linear plotlines which are eventually connected: Roa Bastos, on the other hand, jumps back and forth rapidly, providing needless details, and the reader never knows what is happening. I am, of course, very biased and I should probably give “I, the Supreme” another chance…but not right now in the middle of the exam period.

Something else which struck me was Vargas Llosa’s portrayal of Trujillo and his very foul mouth. Despite a quick discussion in class, nothing could have prepared me for the language. “Do you know which was the best of all the cunts I fucked?…Froilan’s wife!” (page 53). To put it lightly, Trujillo’s use of language is disgusting and his choice of conversation topics is worse!

The stories of Simon Bolivar often talk about a glorified hero, the Liberator, who triumphed over the Spanish colonial armies and had a dream of a united Latin America. But how many of these stories are embellished and exaggerated? What is the real story of Bolivar? What is the real story of any leader who has the power to write (or rewrite) the history books?

These questions entered my mind when Garcia Marquez describes several portraits of the General (pages 180-181) which range between ages sixteen to forty-five. Garcia Marquez notes the earlier paintings were true to both his age and his Afro-Caribbean heritage; however, these realities disappeared as Bolivar’s fame grew. “But as his glory increased, the painters began to idealize him, washing his blood, mythologizing him, until they established him in official memory with the Roman profile of his statues.” (page 180)

What I’ve really been enjoying in Garcia Marquez’s book is his characterization of Bolivar. Garcia Marquez provides another perspective on the Liberator and makes one question the often one-sided public perspective of many leaders. Throughout “The General in His Labyrinth,” Bolivar becomes a figure which whom the reader can relate to. In other words, the figure of the Liberator is brought down to a personal level where he shows both concern and compassion for the individual.

“On his journeys the General was in the habit of making casual stops to inquire about the problems of the people he met along the way. He asked about everything: the age of their children, the nature of their illness, the condition of their business, what they thought about everything.” (page 168)

Although I have not quite made it all the way through this book, I would have to say it is the second best book we have had to read in this course so far. (The President, of course, still remains my favourite!)

Favourite quote: “…I’ve become lost in a dream, searching for something that doesn’t exist.” (page 221)

Well, here we go again…just to give you a bit of a heads up, this blog might seem a bit scattered for two reasons: one, I read the first section of this book well over three weeks ago; and two, the events of my day seemed to have left me a bit torn up. Nevertheless, now that we’re on the same page, let’s delve right into “The General in His Labyrinth.”

In terms of initial impressions, I have really been enjoying this book as it is so different from the others we’ve read (and a wonderful change from “I, the Supreme”). The presence of women is perhaps what originally struck me – wow! A dictator novel that includes strong, confident, and independent women! Manuela, a trusted friend, companion, and lover of the General, is one of the first characters the reader is introduced to in the story. Her relationship to the General is one of complete and utter trust, as she is both straight forward and tells things as they are (there is no embellishment or missing facts in her stories). Furthermore, the General entrusts Manuela with his most private documents, letters and accounts. Miranda is the second strong female character introduced in the book. Through one of the many windows into the General’s past, we discover Miranda had in fact prevented one of the many attempted murders of Bolivar.

Another major difference between this book and other dictator novels, is that a great deal of sympathy is generated for the dictator himself! Although there are allusions to the greatness of the General’s past, he is constantly described in a helpless, weak state. His illness has taken over his body and left a mere skeleton of a leader who was once powerful. Further sympathy is generated by the continual reference to the people who are trying to “get rid” of the General as well as to those who do not believe he is actually stepping down. The specific image which comes to mind is one of a sickly grandparent, who must be looked after all the time (especially during the scene on the barge when the only food the General will eat is cornmeal mush!).

Lastly, I am wondering how much of this book is actually based on real facts…but wait! That’s what we have our wiki pages for! J

Favourite quote: “The greatest and most solidary soldier who ever lived” (in reference to the General, page 80)

This is beyond a doubt one of the most difficult and challenging books I have ever had to read for a class. Put simply, I’m incredibly frustrated. Furthermore, since reading I, the Supreme is required for this class, it has become more of a chore that must be finished within a specific amount of time, instead of something to read (little-by-little) for enjoyment. Mind you, I probably would never choose to read this book if I had the option. For now, however, I’ll switch gears a little bit, and expand on the aspects of the book I can appreciate.

First of all, Roa Bastos offers a distinct perspective on Dr. Francia, or el Supremo, which allows the reader to delve into the complexities of the dictator’s mind. What is particularly interesting is that this perspective humanizes el Supremo – and *gasp* enables the reader to relate to the dictator! Personally, at times I felt sympathetic for Dr. Francia (“I have never loved anyone. I would remember it. Some trace of it would have remained in my memory.” p.276), at other times I despised him. In addition, despite Dr. Francia’s obsessive, almost psychotic qualities, there is definite logic behind many of his descriptive and philosophical rants.

One of the major themes throughout I, the Supreme is the connection between Dr. Francia and the state of Paraguay. It is clear the dictator feels his actions are necessary for the improvement and benefit of the state. According to Roa Bastos, many good things rose from the dictatorship: people do not worry about theft, children are educated, the majority of people can read and write, everyone is able to work, everyone has the appropriate land to fit their needs, etc. (p. 263, p. 291). Additionally, Jerry W. Cooney (2004), in The Many Faces of El Supremo: Historians, History, and Dr. Francia, notes that “The dictator allowed no political liberty, but during his long reign Dr. Francia created a nation out of a people.”

Finally it is important to draw attention to the humour within the text. How could anyone not laugh out loud at the story on page 277: “…but would my good wife, however patient, have put up with the miseries of a conjugal life? If it had fallen to her lot…to marry that man of whom the bishop of Hippo speaks, forced by the gases in his belly to fart incessantly for more than forty years till he descended to the grave, on the wings of those winds in his insides, in a manner of speaking?”

Favourite quote (scary!!):

“I am the SUPREME PERSONAGE who watches over and protects your sleeping dream, your waking dream (there is no difference between the one and the other)…” (page 320)

First impressions… I the Supreme is definitely not the most captivating read. In fact, although I did not have any particular expectations for this book, I am already feeling quite disappointed. So far, I have had to virtually force myself to keep reading – quite different from The President which I enjoyed sitting down to read!

Roa Bastos’ descriptive style of writing is extremely hard to follow. The conversations between the Supreme and Patiño are written together in single paragraphs making it difficult to distinguish which character is talking at times. Furthermore, the thought flow of the Supreme is written in a way which is very confusing. The dialogue jumps back and forth, without rhyme or reason. This is further complicated with the addition of little, often bizarre, stories – such as the story of the bat hair coat – which don’t seem to have a great purpose (other than to startle and wake up the reader!).

The Supreme is a very different character from both Facundo and el Presidente. The most striking difference is the Supreme does not seem to have an impulse for intensive violence. There are of course references to prisoners, people who have been abolished, tortured, or killed, but these ‘facts’ are only mentioned in passing and not described in the intense and horrific manner found in The President. One question I have is, what is the actual significance of “under the orange tree” (page 41)? It seems to be a softer form of saying murdered and buried in an anonymous location, but I’m not sure. In true dictator fashion, the Supreme is given both unquestioned respect and a god-like status.

Finally, the importance of language, both spoken and written, is emphasized throughout the book. Wild guess, but I’m sure this is one of the main reasons we’re reading this book. The section on writing and dictating (beginning on page 57) was particularly interesting – especially the Supreme’s obsession with his voice speaking out through the written words of Patiño: “When I dictate to you, the words have a meaning; when you write them, another. So that we speak two different languages…I want there to be something of myself in the words that you write.” (page 57)

Favourite quote:

“Books have a destiny, though destiny has no book.” (page 65)

The dream-like state of many of the characters in the first half of the book continues right through to the final scene as Angel Face’s mind drifts back and forth between Camila and the unbelievable horrors of his situation. This overwhelming dream of confusion and terror however becomes more tangible for the characters in the second section. Many characters are faced with disturbing realities: firing squads, torture, lies, imprisonment, losing loved ones, unjust treatment, etc. Not one single character is left untouched by the dictatorship. Even the President is affected by the chaos. In Chapter 32, the President turned to alcohol to cope with the stress, turning himself into a mad hysteric, obsessed with people plotting against his life: “Ungrateful beasts! Ant it’s intolerable that they should have assassinated him, now that people are plotting against my life on all sides, my friends are deserting me, my enemies increasing and – no, no! Not a stone shall be left standing in the Cathedral Porch!” (p.223)

Furthermore, in the final chapters, it becomes even more evident that the tendencies of those living within a dictatorship are to fight for themselves. This is seen through the story of Major Farfan – whose life is originally saved by Angel Face, but who leads the plot against Angel Face’s life in order to get on good terms with the President. Another key example is in the case of Camila, who although despising the President, becomes his mistress (or so it is implied). In Camila’s case the story is a little different. Although Vich notes to the prisoner in No. 17 (Angel Face) Camila did this because her husband had abandoned her, it seems more likely that the President had taken notice of her earlier and it was a direct request, or that she did so out of necessity to support herself and her child.

Finally, I would like to draw attention to how women are depicted throughout the book, and particularly in the second section because they seem to have a more direct focus. In this society women are associated with the private, as their major concerns seem to be the home and their families. They are devoted to their husbands and admired for their beauty. Nevertheless, they are by no means considered in any way equal to men: “…for Our Lord God created a woman to be a woman, and she should not try to be otherwise and imitate a man; that would be following the example of the Devil, who wanted to be equal with God.” (p.170). Although there are some exceptions (specifically in the case of La Masacuata), women are considered secondary members of society, who are not worth listening to and must be controlled/contained, helpless creatures, easy to abuse, gossipers and whores. The following are a few quotes about the placement of women which stood out for me:

“…women are birds who can’t live without their cage…” (p.27)

“Woman is the mincemeat into which man stuffs himself like a pig’s tripes for his own gratification.” (p.142)

 “Women are like flowers, they need watering; marriage’ll soon put you to rights.” (p.240)

Favourite quote from section two:

“He felt as if he were dreaming. The difference between reality and dreams is purely artificial. Asleep, awake, which was he?” (p.177)

What characteristics classify a political regime or system as a dictatorship? Throughout The President Miguel Angel Asturias alludes to many situations, experiences, and sentiments which allow one to generalize a dictatorship. Fear is instilled in the people through terror strategies: constant surveillance, presence of secret police, rumors, murders, confusion, forced silence, and a feeling of being completely controlled yet in utter chaos. Asturias demonstrates these experiences through short stories of intensive details, snapshots on the perspective of a few characters. These stories let the reader delve into the characters’ minds and experience the account on a more personal level. (This style of writing can be compared to Facundo since Sarmiento wrote a more factual account and therefore did not include the reader on a personal or emotional level.)

The style of writing further evokes characteristics of a dictatorship: the thoughts of the characters are revealed through disturbing and chaotic stories. It is clear that the minds of many of the characters are tormented. This is seen through the experience of the Zany in Chapters 3 and 4 (“…like a man escaping from a prison with walls made of mist, so that the more he ran the further they receded.” p.19), Genaro Rodas in Chapter 20, and Angel Face in Chapter 21. Fear of the unknown holds these characters as prisoners within their own minds. This fear is exemplified through characters’ thought patterns. Although there are various examples throughout the book, the perfect example is of Angel Face in Chapter 21 the disturbed flow of his metaphorical thoughts. This writing style gives a dream like quality to the story.

Finally, I’d like to bring attention to the almost dream-like state of people living within this dictatorship. Many of the secondary characters seem to have normalized the acts of terror which are occurring around them – perhaps in order to deal with the traumatic effects of fear. “Warder, see that this man gets two hundred lashes, will you?…it was as if a bank manager had given instructions for two hundred pesos to be paid to one of his clients…Rodas did not understand…And he understood still less when he saw their calm impassive faces devoid of any trace of surprise.” (p.135) Terror and torture seem to have become routine in the lives of both the Judge Advocate and the tribunal.

Overall, I am enjoying The President much more than Facundo, and actually look forward to reading the second half!

Favourite quote from section one:

“A network of invisible threads, more invisible than telegraph wires, connected every leaf with the President, enabling him to keep watch on the most secret thoughts of the townspeople.” (p.39)

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