Ignorance and education

One of the many problematic binaries in HOS is that between the ignorance of the people of Tres Maries and the seeming desire to have them educated by Estaban Trueaba. When Estaban returns to his plantation of Tres Maries in chapter two he immediately begins to rebuild it to his, western educated, wishes. He institutes many reforms and builds modern facilities, he also rebuilds the main house. Since all of the residents there were simple farmers they were taught the necessary skills by Estaban from the books that he got from a mail order catalogue. He also proposes building a 6 room school house because he aspired to the day when all the children and adults of Tres Maries would be able to read write and do simple arithmetic"(Allende 59). This may make it seem that he is in favor of the education of his peasants. However this quote goes on "even though he was not in favor of them acquiring any additional learning, for fear that they would fill their minds with ideas unsuited to their station and condition"(Allende 59). This is quite an abrupt turn around and brilliantly highlights how Esbaban was trying in equal measure to keep his peasants ignorant whale at the same time trying to educate them.