Bello and Bolívar: Poetry and Politics in the Spanish American Revolution

ISBN-13: 9780521412483 / Angielski / Twarda / 1992 / 224 str.

Antonio Cussen

Opis

In June 1810, the Venezuelans, fearful of French aggression, sent a diplomatic mission to London in search of an ally. The mission was headed by Simon Bolivar; the secretary was Andres Bello. Bello remained in London through the Spanish American Revolution and became one of the most accomplished members of the Spanish-speaking intelligentsia. In this book, Antonio Cussen reconstructs Andres Bello's account of the Revolution. The official history of the Revolution, the heroic history of Bolivar, is replaced by the account of a poet, who was first Bolivar's teacher, and later his critic. Through a detailed study of the manuscripts of Bello's unfinished poem "America" the author argues that Bello recorded the disintegration of the Augustan model of power and culture and intimated the inevitable approach of liberalism with a certain longing for the classical culture of his youth.

Recenzje

"...a fascinating and eminently readable narrative about two historical figures (yes, even the bookish Bello) that I and many others find profoundly seductive." Elizabeth Garrels, Latin American Literary Review

Spis treści

Acknowledgments; Introduction; Part I. Caracas (1781–1810): 1. Augustan Caracas; 2. Revolt; Part II. London (1810–29); 3. Independence; 4. The reconquest; 5. The decided revolution; 6. The new Augustus; 7. The campaign of the monarchists; 8. Poetry visits America; 9. 'Agricultura'; 10. Bolívar poetics; Part III. Santiago: (1829–65): 11. The liberal poets; 12. The exile; Appendix; Notes; Bibliographical note; Index.