Blog 2

With regards to the conversation with Nina Scott, I thought that the conversation was very interesting and informing. She discussed many things with us and tried to answer all of the questions that we put forward. I thought it was intriguing that Sab was her first literary translation more than fifteen years ago. It took her a long time to translate, years I believe. However, when she was translating it, she wanted it to sound like it was from the 19th century and not the present. Although she said it was a difficult book to translate, it was easier than translating poetry, since poetry's true meaning can certainly be lost through translation. I thought that was interesting because even though it took her years to get through Sab, she would rather have translated a work of literature such as that rather than poetry. When we asked her some questions, she came up with some terrific answers and went into great details too. When we asked her when she thought Sab truly gained freedom in the novel was when he held the winning lottery ticket. Since the lottery picks people at complete random, it didn't matter what your race or sex was, because when you were picked, it was something that anyone could have been capable of. When Sab was chosen, he was, in that situation, the luckiest person and was capable of winning it. She also pointed out that Carlota and Enrique could not make it through the caves, although Sab could. When we asked her why we thought Sab would not kill Enrique, she responded by answering that Sab was holding his code of honor for not only Carlota, but the entire family. He knew that morally it was right to fulfill his duty in protecting Enrique.

Blog 1

Simon Bolivar's captivating "Jamaica Letter" talks about how Spain and Europe will not give the Latin American colonies a chance to gain freedom. Bolivar heavily criticizes Spain for it's power hungry attitude and great desire to rule the countries in Latin and South America. He does acknowledge that Spain is the mother country of these new Latin American countries, but emphasizes the fact that they are now ready for independence. Even though the countries and Spain have shared interests, knowledge, religion, and mutual goodwill, they simply can no longer be ruled by the Spanish crown. Bolivar argues that once the countries have completely split from Spain, peace and prosperity will grow throughout Latin and South America. He says that "Nearly a million people once lived in Venezuela, and I can say without exaggeration that a fourth of them have been sacrificed by the terrain, the sword, hunger, plague, and homeless wandering. Except for the earthquake, all of this is the result of war." (15) and "...more than a million men have died, as you will see in the report made by Mr. Walton, who describes in detail the bloody crimes committed in that wealthy empire." (15) Bolivar also suggests that Europe (not just Spain) seems to have no sympathy for the countries trying to break away from Spain. He argues that "...sixteen million Americans defend their rights or live oppressed by the Spanish nation which, once the vastest empire on earth, is now reduced to remnants that can neither dominate the new hemisphere nor even maintain control of the old. And civilized Europe, merchant, lover of liberty, will she allow a decrepit serpent to devour the most beautiful part of the globe out of pure venomous rage? What? Is Europe deaf to the clamor of her own interests? Has she no eyes to see justice? Has she become inured to the suffering of others to be this insensitive?" (15) According to Bolivar, Spain's involvement with the Latin American countries has not been to their benefit. Bolivar actually argues that Spain should try and strengthen their own econonmy before trying to rule others in the Western Hemisphere. He says that "...so by focusing on her own immediate interets she could begin to rebuild her prosperity and power on foundations far more solid than these uncertain conquests, precarious commercial enterprises, and violent pillaging in lands that are remote, hostile, and powerful." (16) Bolivar also feels that once the Latin American nations are free to govern, trade with Europe will create stronger economies in both Europe and Latin and South America.