The Mexican Revolution was an armed struggle that took place in Mexico between the years of 1910 and 1920. The constant struggle took place during a 30 year dictatorship run by Porfirio Diaz. The Mexican Revolution ultimately ended the dictatorship and began a constitutional republic. The revolution united the working class in Mexico because they were tired of the dictatorship. It gave them power and strength to come together and start a revolution. Many famous literature works and art pieces came about during this time. Novels de la tierra is a realistic work that interprets and explains the surrounding life of a region. It explains the fight and struggle between nature and society. Indigenous art and literature represents the inhumane treatment and destruction of their civilizations. It calls upon the exploitation of the native culture and society. A problem for them would certainly be socioeconomic issues causing them to further struggle. Avant-guard proposes an irrational, out of the box thinking about life and art. There was also a drop in focus of logic and rhythm. Post-vanguard existentialism, the life of the inner world and any interruptions and abnormalities in life.

Alfonsina Storni was a women poet, author, and playwright in Argentina. Unlike many other poets and literary artists, she was very different. She refused to conform to the modern and popular styles of Argentina at the time. Instead she wrote about the feminism and the pain of misogyny that she and many other women experienced. Many women experienced this however they never dared to express their outrage and pain through their writings. In Hombre Pequenito, the canary represents the women in civilization and socialization. The cage represents the metaphorical box that men use to trap women. Because of this there are many things that women cannot do. We have become very trapped and complacent in relationships and in this society because no one wants to speak out or rather support women on this. In Peso Ancestral, I believe the you is most likely a man as well as the I. But there may be some variations in the age. I had some trouble understanding the exact meanings in this poem. This poem represents the emotion a man can feel but that he must always hide it. Society has brought men up to never cry or express their feelings whereas women are free and expected to be emotional. Men are expected to stay strong and represent the strength of a society.

Dario's poem is still important today because his works inspire the youth and represents a feeling of pride and unity. The swan is a white bird that represents a majestic and iconic symbol in popular culture. A swan is also an extremely elegant and beautiful bird that people look up to. Dario writes the new poetry under the new wings of the swan because it represents something bigger to people in culture. The swan protects the poetry and makes it important and real. Poetry and swans also represent beauty. The poem Roosevelt speaks about a past president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. He was extremely important to Latin America because during his presidency he was in charge of involving Latin America. This made it possible for the United States to intervene in any Latin American problems. This was opposed by many even though the US was admired because they had so much power.

According to Rodo, Latin American's can and will admire Americans because it is a natural occurrence however they must not imitate the United States because it will make them superior to Latin America. He says that the Latin American's should not copy America's culture or politics amongst other things because the adaptation to American ways will not be good for Latin America. I do not believe Rodo is against the United States because he says the US sets a good example for other countries. He just fears what may happen to Latin American countries and culture is they try to copy and convert to American ways.

I think Rodo makes a good point about imitation. While globalization is nearly inevitable for most of the world I do believe it is extremely important to a country's culture and values to stay somewhat individual. Whether political leaders will admit it or not, each country leans on one another for advancements and solutions. I believe Rodo has the right idea for Latin America. It is important to develop successfully but to also stick to your roots.

Jose Marti is the national poet that established Cuban nationalism. Jose Marti is still important today because he attempted to unify the people of Cuba and started a period of love and acceptance with optimism. In this work, Marti is talking about pride of his people in Cuba. He claims that Cuba is our America because Cubans have more pride than any American does. He continues to explain that Cubans should have more pride and should never stop supporting their country and culture. Marti claims that the problem with Universities in America is that there is no University of America. He believes we lack an overall culture because we are a country of many mixed cultures. We lack a universal culture to unite us. Marti also believes that the young people in America are uneducated and are far too uneducated to run a political system or govern. Young people in America understand that there is not a strong culture in America. He believes we as a government copy other countries. Marti also stated that there should not be hatred amongst races in America because we are all people and all the same. This article was difficult to read and I do not think everything Marti said is true.

A unitarian is someone who believes in personal freedom and freedom of thought and religion. They typically do not follow the majority and refuse to participate in any other beliefs then their own. A federalist is someone who supports a specific system of government and its doctrines. Rosas was the governor of Buenos Aires and a federalist that carried on a dictatorship. The unitarians demanded a centralized government while the federalists supported the systematic distribution of taxes throughout the provinces. The church willingly supported the federalists during this time. The Slaughterhouse was written during the 1830's during a time that Buenos Aires struggled. At this time the church had been able to impose power over the people. Echeverria describes the story as outspoken and fearless since the unitarians willingly rebelled against the federalists. The slaughterhouse was the place to slaughter there unitarians. The bull in the story was used as a metaphor to describe the unitarians acts during this time. The unitarian is tied down to the table in a form of a cross and was bled.

Latin America from 1820-1920 was a time of struggle, despair, and a fight for independence. Although most countries did gain their independence by 1825, Cuba and Puerto Rico continued to fight and struggle for their independence until around 1900. Due to the outcomes of the Spanish-American War, Cuba was given its independence and Puerto Rico was awarded to America.

Romanticism can be described as an art form that consists of nature, love, emotions, and color. It is a large mix of styles that embody the emotion of life. It is a plush art, sometimes there is no truth or meaning however it represents an emotion or just the inherent good of the world. Realism focuses on the truth and reality of every day on earth. It is a very honest and stern style. Naturalism is a scientific art and in literature focuses on a character and every aspect it experiences in the story. Realism represents the truth however lack a scientific aspect in its work. Hispanic American modernism focuses on the art and beauty of language. There is a large focus on each word and its fluency and depth. It is all about the art of the language.

The poem Redondillas was written by Sor Juana. The poetic voice addresses the men who often blame women for reasons the men caused themselves. The first three stanzas of the poem explain that men are to blame and should be accused because they ask women to do things then shame them for doing it wrong or poorly. Thais was a greek women who served and pleased men endlessly. Lucrecia was a very beautiful women with matrimonial fidelity. The poem describing men wanting a romance with a women like Thais and a marriage with a women like Lucrecia. In Sor Juana's poem I believe one culprit for cruel means that no matter how much right a women does and no matter how much she obeys a man will always find a way to make her wrong or find something that does not please them. I think the message in this poem today is still partly true. I believe there are certainly still times that women are subjected to behaviors such as these from a man. But I also believe that not every man treats a women like this. This change has to come from society as a whole and understand that we should treat everyone with the same respect and equality.

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was a Mexican nun who is considered to have written the first feminist manifesto. A self-taught scholar and poet, she was born an illegitimate child of a poor family. She began her education by reading any books she could get her hands on, mostly her grandfathers. She demanded knowledge and desired to learn constantly. Because during this time it was not acceptable for women to have an education, she thought of different ways to still pursue an education. She thought of disguising herself as a boy and attending University however her mother did not approve. She did study under a scholarly priest and became known as a child prodigy. Sor Juana’s works received many criticisms and she eventually devoted herself to a life of religion and sacrifice.  Sor Filotea was the pseudonym of the bishop. He criticized Sor Juana for her works and for devoting more time to intellectual studies that are more suited for men than women. Sor Juana’s letters explain her desire to study and learn and how she has had this desire since she was a young girl.

The most interesting part of the blog to me was reading about the prejudice and bias there was against women concerning education. I found it interesting that even as such a young girl Sor Juana was subject to this. I think it is pretty fascinating how smart and adaptive Sor Juana was as a child.

1.     Spanish American literature is divided into the colonial period and the enlightenment period. During this time was also the period of independence movements in society.

2.     Conceptism is was a literary movement in which the works were defined by rapid rhythm, directness, simple vocabulary, metaphors, and work play. This was popular during the Baroque period developed by Spanish mystics. Culturism is a philosophic approach that emphasizes the central importance in human existence and affairs.

3.     Poetry prospered over prose during colonial times because novels and other fiction were banned. Because the people were unable to own or read these literary works the popularity of poetry rose and more people began writing and reading poetry.

4.     Enlightened despotism was a form of government in the 18^th century in which an absolute monarch pursued and dominated legal, social, and educational reforms all lead by the enlightened. Rather then literature be written with and about exaggerations and stories literature then turned to complex thoughts, reasoning, and science.

5.     The independence wars influenced Hispanic American literature by pushing many leaders to write and lead through literature works. These writers were and are still popular, such as Simon Bolivar.