Blog # 3 Violence

      So I went over to Gabby's dorm room to have a pleasant discussion but then she just HAD to mention that we had to do our blogs this weekend- a fact which I had completely forgotten. So I went back to my room and procrastinated starting it by doing the dishes and listening to music. I was trying to think of something to blog about- maybe something relating to Sarmiento and Echeverria. Then the song "Violence Fetish" by Disturbed came on to my iPod. I started listening and I realized that I might be able to relate it back to the articles. I thought it might be fun to try anyways! So here goes-
    The song starts by saying

"Bring the violence
It's significant
To the life
If you've ever known anyone
Bring the violence
It's significant
To the life"

 

      So that I thought could relate to how Echeverria thought the Federalists and gauchos lived. When he described the scene with the child being grotesquely murdered no one in the town seems to care. Echeverria is trying to imply that these people are so used to blood and violence and that this indicates their barbarism. This goes hand in hand as the song is talking about how violence is significant to life- that it is very important and life cannot be lived without it.

     This next part of the song could be how the Unitarians viewed the Federalists and gauchos of Argentina.

    "How do you sleep
When you live with your lies
Out of your mouth
Up from your mind
That kind of thinking
Starts a chain reaction
You are a timebomb ticking away"
 

       If nothing else, the Unitarians viewed the gauchos and Federalists as an obstacle to progress. The Unitarians believe that they are in the way of making Latin America be like Europe. The Unitarians do not hold he majority in Argentina and they must all have been worried that the caudillos were in power and that the Federalist kind of thinking will destroy the country and any hopes it had for progress (being like Europe.)

       But then the song continues on and it could be viewed as how the Federalists think of the Unitarians. 

"You need to release
What you're feeling inside
Let out the beast
That you're trying to hide
Step right up and be a part of the action
Get your game face on
Because it's time to play
You're pushing and fighting your way
You're ripping it up"

 

      They might believe that the European "proper and civilized" way of life is incorrect- that they should act more as their instincts dictate and not have customs and manners in the way. The second part of the song quote could relate more directly to how Echeverria portrayed the murder of the Unitarian that came to the village. During the attack the Unitarian was "pushing and fighting" his way. He was trying to resist the Federalists at all costs. "You're ripping it up" could refer to the way in which he died- bursting with rage. He was ripping up his insides with rage until he finally died rather than be dishonored. Additionally the song says "Get your game face on because it's time to play" and this could reference how in the end the judge says "Poor devil, we wanted only to amuse ourselves with him, but he took things too seriously." They thought of it all as just a game.

     Then the final part of the song is again from the Federalist/ gaucho perspective.

 

"So tell me what am I supposed to be
Another g***amn drone
Tell me what am I supposed to be
Should I leave it on the inside
Should I get ready to play" 

 

    I think this could explain how the gauchos felt about changing to the European lifestyle. They thought it would turn them into European drones and they would no longer hold onto their native lifestyle and traditions. I believe the last line "Should I get ready to play" could be the Federalists proclaiming that tey were ready for war with the Unitarians if it came down to it.
     Well that's my attempt at relating the song to Echeverria's short story. Sorry if it is a bit of a stretch :).