Monday, September 8, 2008
Comments on "My Delirium"
In the final lines of the poem, Bolivar reveals that the entire poem is a dream of his. He uses imagery comparing death with sleep and talks about how he is regenerated and awakens to write about his dreams, his delirium- "I come back to life...and write down my delirium." HE discusses numerous significant places, primarily in South America. He climbs and travels these places in triumph ranging from the river of Orinoco (one of the longest rivers in South America) to the mountain range of the Humboldt. He also discusses his interactions with the gods Iris and Belona and so he uses these two types of physical and spiritual climb to envision success in conquering physical barriers of mountains and spiritual ones through interactions with goddesses. Through the document one can come to realize how Bolivar became so successful, he had ambitious dreams which led him to want to achieve so much. Through his dreams he feels a "strange, higher fire" which, i believe, motivates him to explore and achieve in life.
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3 comments:
First, you need to check out Dylan´s post on the same topic.
http://dylanreflectivewriting.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-delirium-on-chimborazo.html
Second, I think that you allude to the important distinction between physical height and metaphoric height in this text. To a cerain degree they are morphed into one. It would be interesting to read your thoughts on space in this "delirium" to what degree are his references to space literal accounts of his glories and to what degree are they allegories for the glory of victory and the lowliness of defeat.
Have you made me an author of this blog yet. If not, please do so.
I think another key to Bolivar's success was his social class. Because even if he had those strong dreams as a peasant it would have been very hard for him to accomplish anything. As an aristocrat he had more authority and also an education to help enact his strong dreams.
I do agree that because Bolivar was an aristocrat it made the coming of success a bit easier for him, but I also think that even if he was a peasant, he would have had the chance of becoming successful. This is a bit out there, but at one point time was described as "scowling, bent over", and that description somewhat matches descriptions of porr peasants. However, time is the most powerful thing in the world, becoming "successful". In other words, peasants do have the chance of becoming successful. However,yes i do agree that maybe Boliovars social class may have helped him out.
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