Canto XII from The Heights of Macchu Picchu is a poem by the famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Is notable for it's use of suffering as a central theme. This theme represents the divergent ideas of Communism as well as Christianity. Neruda was a noted communist and this passion was reflected in his poetry, particularly in the second stanza. Where there are many references to the struggles and anxieties of ordinary working people. however as the poem moves on it then acquirers a more religious aspect in the 4th stanza their is a monologue that mentions thrusting knives "into my breast and into my hands". This bit particularly the hands is a not so subtle reference to the Crucifixion of Christ. Their are also more subtle hints to the poems religions overtones. The first stanza is an allegory of death and resurrection and even the title seems to imply a controlling force if not necessarily a god.

Canto XII from The Hights of Macchu Picchu - Pablo Neruda 1966

Neruda portrays himself as a martyr of the Inca people, particularly the working class, in this poem. He takes all of the struggles that the people have gone through and places it on his own shoulders. His aim is to draw attention to the people's incredible dedication to the land and to show the trials they have overcome. But he also makes it known that he does not know all about it and that he is ready to learn. He realizes that appreciation is needed, and he takes personal responsibility for it being neglected.

Neruda Poem

It sounds like Neruda is speaking to those who have died and those who came before. From the line "tiller of fields, weaver, reticent shepherd" it sounds like he is talking about everyday workers, not the elite. He is saying show me evidence of your struggle. I think he is acknowledging and honoring those who struggled to make a living. "I come to speak for your dead mouths" meaning he comes to speak for the dead who can not speak. From what I know about Nerda he was a man of the people and probably a socialist. I think he identified with the poor and the working class. "Speak through my speech, and through my blood." He used his poetry to highlight their plight, the poor etc.

Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda's poetry was written in spanish and the title of the poem is left untranslated which is important because the title means 'song'. The poem is in effect, a song to and for the working people of chile and since the 'song' was written to them the title is more significant when left in it's original language. In his song Neruda calls on the people to lift themselves up and out of the class's oppression. He tells them to use their grievances to their own advantage and to even use him as they please for their own purposes because he is one of them himself.

The poem varies subtly from a harsh reality and an exaggerated grotesque . He says that they have been buried in "the depths sown by [their] own sorrows" then suggests that they "light the axes gleaming with [their] blood." He then tells them to sharpen their knives of their pain and "thrust them into [his] breast". It's a very serious message to the people in Chile during this time because many people were struggling and there was a large movement towards communism and socialism. In his poem Neruda offers himself to the working class people as a voice that they may not have had otherwise.

Canto XII - Pablo Neruda

the poem is about the struggle and sacrifice that the proletariat is forced to undergo at the hands of the ruling class. in the poem the ancient Inca civilization, and their endless toil is a mirror for the modern working class. the narrator wishes to experience the hearts, minds and souls of the indigenous population. the speaker is paying homage to all workers as well as the Incas. through this honoring, the narrator wishes to absorb the anguish of his ancestors and eventually build and transform from their strength.

my prevalent theme in house of the spirits is the theme of magic. The theme of magical realism through out the book. The idea that Allende would have believe that there is simple magic in the air when in fact the instances are extreme but not completely out of reach of the imagination. i.e. the dog who never stops growing, this could be explained as just a large bread of dog for the dog dies as a puppy.

OP topic (Cody)

during my oral presentation i am going to discuss the constantly conflicting issue between religion and science. this argument has an affect on many characters, specifically Alba and Jaime. these two characters get thrown into this at a young age and develop their characters with these influences the whole time.

Oral Presentation topic

I am going to discuss feminism against patriarchy. I will focus on the Latin American society that Allende writes about and how that affects her characters. I also will show the change of feminism in the book and how that is related to the politic and to the country in general.

Tony's OP Topic

In my OP topic I'd like to talk about child birth and fear. I plan to focus on Clara, Esteban Trueba, Ferula, Blanca, and Alba by talking about how they deal with their fear for others or for themselves.

For my oral presantation I will seek to answer why Allende chooses to keep Estaban Trueba alive while most of his family dies around him through the years.