Ethan Palmer
ENGL 235-01
Prof. Jamal
2/2/2015
Civilization and Barbarism, or more commonly known as Facundo, has proven
itself to be one of the most intellectual and well-respected pieces of Latin American
literature. This piece written by Domingo Sarmiento focuses on the distinction between
those who are considered to be “barbaric” and those who are “civilized” in his home
country of Argentina. Sarmiento portrays the unique society that is Argentina, in which
people are considered either “barbarians” or “civilized” according to different factors that
is reflected upon the lifestyle and community that they live.
In the beginning of the chapter, Sarmiento puts a strong emphasis on portraying
darker side of the country of Argentina outside of the large urban cities. Very early in the
story, Sarmiento describes the rural northern and southern regions of the country as being
inhabited by “savages”, who attack and terrorize defenseless people during the night.
Although Sarmiento emphasizes the “barbaric” sense of violence that exists within these
rural colonies, he also does make it known to the reader that not all people living in the
countryside are violent or “barbaric”. Sarmiento says that the “civilized” plainsmen and
farmers who also inhabit the countryside must be cautious and aware that the chance of a
enduring a violent attack by these “savages” is a very strong probability.
When reading the opening chapter of Facundo, one must take notice of the strong
political and social criticism that Sarmiento expresses about the country of Argentina.
Palmer 2
Sarmiento portrays the entire country to be on the verge of a state of pure violent chaos.
Very few can relate to this overwhelming feeling of inevitable violence that is described.
Sarmiento mentions, however, that those who live a life of savagery and barbarism are
not completely at fault for their ways of life, rather the regime of Juan Manuel de Rosas
is to blame for the actions of these people.
It is no secret that Sarmiento was opposed to the de Rosas regime that controlled
the city and surrounding area of Buenos Aires from 1835 to 1852. He makes the point to
the reader that during the de Rosa regime, violence was the only reason the “barbaric”
and the “civilized” to come together. Because Sarmiento held such a strong voice in the
opposition of the Argentinian government, he was exiled to the country of Chile in 1840
(Encyclopedia Britannica). This banishment only encouraged Sarmiento continue his
fight to overthrow de Rosas and his desire to change the way of life for Argentinians as
he portrays in the first chapter of Facundo.
Although the story of Facundo focuses upon the travels and experiences of Juan
Quiroga, the theme of Sarmiento’s story entails much more that just a standard narrative.
The character of Juan Quiroga is used by Sarmiento to portray the fine line that
distinguishes those who are “civilized” and those who are “barbaric”. Sarmiento
expresses a strong desire for society in Argentina to become a unionized and transformed.
He believes that if he is able to educated those who are “barbaric”, than the country of
Argentina can be completely “civilized”. This thought of transforming a “barbaric”
society and unionizing it with the “civilized” to improve the way of living embraces all
that is Eurocentric (Ward).
Palmer 3
Towards the end chapter one of Facundo, Sarmiento begins to describe the
“gaucho” and the life in which they live. The “gaucho” relies on violence and physical
dominance over others, while living a nomadic life. Sarmiento mentions that although
these people are living a life of poverty, they are able to retain their happiness. Perhaps
Sarmiento was using the “gaucho” as a representation of those living a “barbaric” life in
Argentina. Sarmiento believed that if these people who inhabit the rural countryside were
to become educated and “unionized” with those who live in urban areas, such as Buenos
Aires, then they could make the transformation from living a “barbarous” life, to a civil
and educated Eurocentric lifestyle.
Palmer 4
Works Cited
"Domingo Faustino Sarmiento | Biography - President of Argentina." Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Apr. 3013. Web. 9 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/524396/Domingo-Faustino-Sarmiento>.
Ward, Thomas. "From Sarmiento to Martí and Hostos: Extricating the Nation from
Coloniality." From Sarmiento to Martí and Hostos: Extricating the Nation from
Coloniality. Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation, Oct. 2007. Web. 12
Feb. 2015.
<http://www.academia.edu/4768880/From_Sarmiento_to_Mart%C3%AD_and_Hostos_
Extricating_the_Nation_from_Coloniality>