Martín Fierro - Canto 12 - Análisis

Analysis of Canto 12 from Martín Fierro

Introduction to the Canto

• The canto begins with a reflection on the fleeting nature of life, expressing uncertainty about its duration and the hardships faced by gauchos.

• It highlights the struggles of living in poverty, where survival sometimes necessitates extreme measures like eating horse meat.

Life of the Gaucho

• The narrative emphasizes that gauchos often live their entire lives in misfortune without any hope for improvement until death arrives.

• A friend helps Cruz (the protagonist) by intervening with a judge, revealing that many criollos have either died or fled due to ongoing conflicts.

Transition to Police Work

• The judge offers Cruz a position as a police officer, recognizing his bravery and decency, ultimately promoting him to sergeant.

• Cruz recounts his decision to join forces with Fierro instead of continuing as a police officer, indicating a shift in allegiance.

Survival Skills and Nature

• Cruz assures Fierro that they will always have what they need for survival—food, shelter, and clothing made from animal hides.

• He describes his adaptability to harsh conditions and how he can endure suffering while living off the land.

Reflection on Suffering

• The discussion reflects on how gauchos are viewed as expendable by those in power; their suffering is often ignored or trivialized.

• Cruz shares an experience where he overheard judges discussing wealth accumulation at the expense of soldiers' labor, highlighting systemic exploitation.

Conclusion: A Call for Awareness

• The conversation reveals fears about future desolation if current injustices continue unchecked; only bones will remain where gauchos once lived.