Summary
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Writing As an Act of Hope by Isabel Allende is an excerpt from an essay. Allende's main purpose for this writing was to show contrast between Latin American assumptions and the actuality of Latin America culture. In this essay there is not a specific setting or time targeted. After reading the excerpt the reader should comprehend that Latin American people do live in a dangerous era.Majority of the population live in poverty. There is two realities. One where blond-haired children play and elegant people walk their prestige dogs. In contrast there is the second side where dark skinned children walk around naked playing with mutts. Isabel presents two options. You can either feed into the madness of your surroundings and start feeling bad for yourself or you can use literature to shine light on your situation. European as well as North American critics argue that the stories are made up. Isabel's counter argument is "the stories are from our history,and the newspaper; we see violence in out streets." Isabel presents the appreciation of literature and how it keeps Latin American history/stories alive.
"It is impossible to speak of Latin America without mentioning violence."- Isabel Allende
"It is impossible to speak of Latin America without mentioning violence."- Isabel Allende
Significance to Latin America
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Allende's essay suggests that Latin America is a diverse place of living. She admits that there is violence and poverty that outweighs the wealthy. There is social inequality and the laws are noneffective Despite all of the negativity, Writing as an Act of Hope reflects Latin America in a positive light. "Maybe the most important reason for writing is to prevent the erosion of time, so that memories will not be blown away by the wind. Write to register history, and name each thing. Write what should not be forgotten.-Isabel Allende"
With all that being said, Allende represents the people of Latin America as choice makers . They have the choice to feel bad for themselves or appreciate a privilege such as literature. In Latin America, literature is and opening to a new world. A world they can only imagine. Isabel says " I come from Latin America, a land of crazy, illuminated people, of geological and political cataclysms — a land so large and profound, so beautiful and frightening, that only novels can describe its fascinating
complexity." This quote helps the reader understand that Latin America is more than what can be put in words. To add she also says "For a writer who nourishes himself or herself on images and passions, to be born in a fabulous continent is a privilege". The people are grateful for their country and its beauty. They are honored to have nature.
With all that being said, Allende represents the people of Latin America as choice makers . They have the choice to feel bad for themselves or appreciate a privilege such as literature. In Latin America, literature is and opening to a new world. A world they can only imagine. Isabel says " I come from Latin America, a land of crazy, illuminated people, of geological and political cataclysms — a land so large and profound, so beautiful and frightening, that only novels can describe its fascinating
complexity." This quote helps the reader understand that Latin America is more than what can be put in words. To add she also says "For a writer who nourishes himself or herself on images and passions, to be born in a fabulous continent is a privilege". The people are grateful for their country and its beauty. They are honored to have nature.