Juan Bosch's "Dos Pesos de Agua": A Short Story with a Big Message
How to Analyze the Literary Work "Dos Pesos de Agua" by Juan Bosch
"Dos Pesos de Agua" is a short story written by Juan Bosch, a Dominican writer, politician and historian. The story was published in 1933 and is considered one of his best works of fiction. It depicts the life and struggles of a poor rural community in Paso Hondo, a village that suffers from a severe drought. The main character is an old woman named Remigia, who refuses to abandon her home and her grandson, despite the hardships and the lack of water. She has faith that the souls of the dead (las ánimas) will help her if she prays and lights candles for them. However, her faith turns out to be a double-edged sword, as the rain that she longs for comes with a devastating flood that destroys everything.
Analisis De La Obra Literaria Dos Pesos De Agua
The Structure of the Story
The story follows a linear structure, divided into three parts: the exposition, the climax and the resolution. The exposition introduces the setting, the characters and the conflict. The setting is a dry and dusty village, where people are leaving or dying because of the drought. The characters are Remigia, her grandson and some neighbors who share her misery. The conflict is the lack of water and the desperation of the villagers. The climax occurs when Remigia decides to organize a prayer to San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers, hoping for a miracle. She gathers some coins from her neighbors and buys two pesos worth of candles to light for las ánimas. She believes that they will intercede for her and bring rain. The resolution is the outcome of her prayer: a torrential rain that floods the village and kills everyone, including Remigia and her grandson.
The Themes of the Story
The story explores several themes, such as poverty, faith, superstition, irony and tragedy. Poverty is evident in the living conditions of the villagers, who lack basic resources such as water, food and medicine. They are also isolated and forgotten by the authorities and the rest of society. Faith is shown in Remigia's devotion to las ánimas and San Isidro, as well as in her optimism and resilience. She trusts that God will not abandon her and that he will reward her sacrifices. Superstition is also present in Remigia's belief that las ánimas have power over nature and that they can grant or deny favors depending on how they are treated. She thinks that lighting candles for them is a way of appeasing them and gaining their favor. Irony is manifested in the contrast between Remigia's expectations and reality. She prays for rain, but she gets a flood. She hopes for life, but she gets death. She acts out of love, but she causes destruction. Tragedy is the final result of the story, as Remigia's faith leads to her downfall and that of her community.
The Style of the Story
The story is written in a simple and direct language, with short sentences and paragraphs. The narration is omniscient, as it reveals the thoughts and feelings of Remigia and other characters. The tone is realistic and somber, reflecting the harshness and hopelessness of the situation. The story also uses some elements of regionalism, such as local words (e.g., guano, guayabo), expressions (e.g., mal de ojo) and customs (e.g., lighting candles for las ánimas). The story also employs some literary devices, such as symbolism (e.g., water as life and death), foreshadowing (e.g., Remigia's dream of drowning) and irony (e.g., Remigia's prayer backfiring).
The Evaluation of the Story
"Dos Pesos de Agua" is a remarkable story that shows the talent and the vision of Juan Bosch as a writer. The story is a powerful critique of the social and economic inequalities that affect the rural population of the Dominican Republic. Bosch exposes the harsh reality of poverty, ignorance and oppression that force the villagers to rely on superstition and faith as their only means of survival. He also denounces the indifference and the corruption of the authorities and the elites, who neglect and exploit the peasants. The story is also a reflection on the human condition and the paradoxes of life. Bosch explores the themes of hope and despair, love and hate, life and death, justice and injustice, through the tragic fate of Remigia and her community. He uses irony and symbolism to create a contrast between Remigia's dreams and reality, and to convey a message of warning and awareness. The story is a masterpiece of Dominican literature, as it combines realism, regionalism and universalism in a concise and effective way.
The Conclusion of the Article
In conclusion, "Dos Pesos de Agua" is a short story that reveals the genius and the social commitment of Juan Bosch as a writer. The story is a vivid and moving portrait of a rural community that suffers from a drought and from the injustice of the system. The story is also a profound and tragic meditation on the meaning and the value of life, faith and destiny. The story is a classic of Dominican literature, as it represents the culture, the history and the identity of the country. The story is also a universal work of art, as it appeals to the emotions and the intellect of any reader.
The Comparison of the Story
"Dos Pesos de Agua" is a story that can be compared with other works of literature that share similar characteristics or themes. Some possible comparisons are:
A comparison with "La noche boca arriba" by Julio Cortázar: Both stories are examples of the Latin American short story genre, which combines realism and fantasy, regionalism and universalism, social criticism and aesthetic experimentation. Both stories also deal with the theme of water as a symbol of life and death, and the contrast between dream and reality. However, while Bosch's story is more linear and realistic, Cortázar's story is more circular and surreal.
A comparison with "El ahogado más hermoso del mundo" by Gabriel García Márquez: Both stories are examples of the magical realism style, which blends reality and fantasy, history and myth, logic and wonder. Both stories also explore the theme of water as a source of transformation and renewal, and the impact of a stranger on a community. However, while Bosch's story is more tragic and ironic, García Márquez's story is more poetic and optimistic.
A comparison with "La lluvia" by Arturo Uslar Pietri: Both stories are examples of the regionalist literature, which depicts the life and the culture of a specific region, its people and its problems. Both stories also focus on the theme of water as a cause of suffering and hope, and the role of faith and superstition in a rural society. However, while Bosch's story is more Dominican and Caribbean, Uslar Pietri's story is more Venezuelan and Andean.
The Recommendation of the Story
"Dos Pesos de Agua" is a story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading good literature and learning about different cultures and perspectives. The story is a captivating and moving read, that will make you think and feel. The story is also a rich and diverse source of information and knowledge, that will broaden your horizons and challenge your assumptions. The story is a classic that you will not regret reading.
The Summary of the Article
This article is an analysis of the literary work "Dos Pesos de Agua" by Juan Bosch, a Dominican writer, politician and historian. The article covers the following aspects of the story:
The structure of the story: The story follows a linear structure, divided into three parts: the exposition, the climax and the resolution.
The themes of the story: The story explores several themes, such as poverty, faith, superstition, irony and tragedy.
The style of the story: The story is written in a simple and direct language, with short sentences and paragraphs. The story also uses some elements of regionalism, such as local words, expressions and customs.
The evaluation of the story: The story is a remarkable story that shows the talent and the vision of Juan Bosch as a writer. The story is also a powerful critique of the social and economic inequalities that affect the rural population of the Dominican Republic.
The relevance of the story: The story has a great relevance for the Dominican culture and society. The story reflects the historical and social context of the country in the early 20th century, when it was under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The story also shows the influence of the African and indigenous heritage in the Dominican identity, as well as the syncretism of Catholicism and popular religion.
The influence of the story: The story has had a significant impact on the Dominican literature and beyond. The story is considered one of the best examples of Juan Bosch's narrative style, which combines realism, regionalism and social criticism. The story is also recognized as one of the pioneers of the Latin American short story genre, which emerged in the mid-20th century with writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar. The story has inspired many other writers and artists, who have adapted it to different media and formats.
The interpretation of the story: The story can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the perspective and the background of the reader. Some possible interpretations are: a religious interpretation, a political interpretation and a psychological interpretation.
The comparison of the story: The story can be compared with other works of literature that share similar characteristics or themes. Some possible comparisons are: a comparison with "La noche boca arriba" by Julio Cortázar, a comparison with "El ahogado más hermoso del mundo" by Gabriel García Márquez and a comparison with "La lluvia" by Arturo Uslar Pietri.
The appreciation of the story: The story deserves to be appreciated for its artistic and literary qualities, as well as for its cultural and social significance. The story is a masterpiece of Juan Bosch's creativity and talent, as he uses simple and effective language, vivid and realistic descriptions, engaging and memorable characters, and powerful and dramatic plot twists. The story is also a valuable contribution to the Dominican culture and society, as it reflects their history and their identity, their problems and their aspirations, their values and their traditions. The story is also a universal work of art, as it appeals to the emotions and the intellect of any reader.
The recommendation of the story: The story is a story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading good literature and learning about different cultures and perspectives. The story is a captivating and moving read, that will make you think and feel. The story is also a rich and diverse source of information and knowledge, that will broaden your horizons and challenge your assumptions. The story is a classic that you will not regret reading.
The Conclusion of the Article
In conclusion, "Dos Pesos de Agua" is a short story that reveals the genius and the social commitment of Juan Bosch as a writer. The story is a vivid and moving portrait of a rural community that suffers from a drought and from the injustice of the system. The story is also a profound and tragic meditation on the meaning and the value of life, faith and destiny. The story is a masterpiece of Dominican literature, as it represents the culture, the history and the identity of the country. The story is also a universal work of art, as it appeals to the emotions and the intellect of any reader, who can relate to its themes and its messages. The story is a classic that you will not regret reading. b99f773239