The workings of society under Rosas
The cultural tradition of colonial rule became entrenched in Latin American society, leaving a legacy of clearly defined social codes for men and women. Post-colonial society was dominated by caudillo leadership, and this political trend extended itself into all spheres of life, reinforcing gender roles in society and within the family as well. Esteban Echeverria's story, "The Slaughter House,"and the film Camila portray the workings of society under the authoritarian Rosas dictatorship in post-colonial Argentina. Camila and the Unitarian are both victims of a society which is ruled by fear, violence, and tyranny. Camila's family is portrayed as a microcosm for the society in which she lives. As a woman, Camila is deprived of the freedom to express herself and her desires. For instance, during a discussion, all the men were free to participate. When Camila gave her opinion about Rosas and the Federalists, however, she was immediately silenced by her father. He strongly enforces a machisto attitude and assumes a "caudillo"role within his own family, illustrated in his treatment of his wife, daughters, and even his mother. His views on marriage also demonstrate the strict maintenance of tradition and adherence to societal rules. He declares that every woman must marry, for marriage, "es el pais." Also according to him, to be single, "es la anarquia." Here, Camila's father attributes national and political connotations to marriage, which shows his firm attachment to his political background and loyalty to his country. In the end, we observe how this extreme loyalty to a political party exceeds that of his commitment to his own family. In the film, Camila tries to free herself from her assigned gender role, but the state goes to great lengths to prevent her from living the way she wants. The treatment of gender and attitudes toward women during this time reveal a great deal about the society which governed them. Camila's assassination was carried out even though it went against the law; Rosas demonstrated his ability to supersede political and religious law, for he heeded to no other authority apart from his own. Any threat to his authority was met by violence, so that he couldinstill fear into the people. This use of fear and violence are also clearly illustrated in Echeverria's story. Echeverria uses the Slaughter House to parallel the Rosas dictatorship, for he explicitly states, "the headquarters of the Federation were located in the Slaughter House"(76). The Argentine people are portrayed as animals trapped in the pens of the Slaughter House. They are, "Öbogged down, immobile, up to the shoulder blades"(70). People like Camila are repressed by Rosas' autocratic regime and struggle to free themselves before they are slaughtered like animals. As seen in Camila, a system of inter-dependent relations among powerful groups is fostered, which includes the Catholic Church, the aristocracy, and the military. Similarly, Echeverria depicts the same system in this image, "At his back, following his every movement, romped a gang of children, Negro and mulatto women, offal collectors whose ugliness matched that of the harpies, and huge mastiffs which sniffed, snarled, and snapped at one another as they darted after booty"(71). Although these are powerful groups, they all ultimately depend on Rosas for power, which serves to further enforce his hierarchical regime. Echeverria The judge governing them in the casilla is Rosas, "the chieftain of the butchers"(70).
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