During the discussion in class today I was having a lot of trouble trying to figure out the message that Borges was trying to convey through his short story "The South." I think that everyone brought up really valid points. It has been driving me a bit crazy to say the least because the biggest question that has been bugging me is, why does he romanticize the past? This romanticizing begins in the first paragraph when Dalhmann is discussing his grandfather's, and which one he identifies more with. We have obviously seen and discussed the fact that he clearly felt more kinship with Francisco Flores, the one that died a gallant death in battle. On the train Borges also takes time to appreciate the changing landscape, from the city into the South.
One comment that I found particularly interesting in class today was that maybe the South only exists for Dahlmann. Or possibly that everyone has their own "South." I think that this may possibly explain the whole romanticizing thing....maybe. I would like to think that everyone has their own "South." I would argue that it is the "where you came from" part of your uniqueness. This would explain why Dahlmann's South contained the gauchos ("warriors" like his grandfather) and his families old ranch. He even put his favorite book down to go back into his roots. To me, this sends the message that we need to acknowledge our "Souths," in order to move forward but to be careful not to get stuck in them. We need to acknowledge our past, in order to move forward into the future.
So that is the current theory I have. Please tear it apart and let me know what you all think! I would love to hear more ideas and actually figure the puzzle out.
You have a great point here! I like this! I think everyone has their own "South." Check out my blog #9. I thought it was more of a civilization vs barbarism type thing. That every person has two sides of them. I essentially could expand my blog after reading yours! :) I didn't put anything about embracing the past which the south is in addition to possibly being barbaric....
ReplyDeleteI would argue, however, that we need to move past the past in order to move forward in the future. You learn from the past, and I guess acknowledge it, but you don't go and relive the past, like he seems to do by going to the South. I don't know! :) I agree, quite the puzzle!