An Analysis Of Clorinda Matto De Turner's Torn From The Nest
Peruvian politics and government in the mid- to late-1800s contained a back-and-forth struggle between those conservatives who desired to keep with the status quo, and those liberals who wished to move on and develop into a more modern governmental system. In Clorinda Matto de Turner’s novel, “Torn from the Nest,” she portrays characters on both sides of the political spectrum and how they feud with one another in an attempt to either keep or change how the power is distributed. Between the conservatives and the liberals, the overlaying conflict seems to be the disagreement over the customs of the church in relation to the poor – specifically debt and how it is paid off. Therein lies the liberals’ greatest challenge to come out on top over
…show more content…
This causes the elites to become very hostile toward Lucía and Don Fernando, who are outsiders, as well as other liberals. They are afraid that these outsiders will “change customs handed down from [their] ancestors” (Turner, 22). The conservatives are pleased with how things have been run up to this point, with the Indians following their orders almost without question. The last thing that they want is for the Indians to start an uprising, causing the elites to lose power over them – something that Turner later portrays will eventually occur. Father Pascual describes that the liberals are creating this uprising by using “words that once the Indians hear them… will in effect put an end to… the advance payment, the mitas, the pongos…” (Turner, 25). And while the officials are persistent to maintain their power and influence, they are also determined to look innocent, as if they do not know what they are doing is wrong. For example, when discussing the gun shot with the woman, Father Pascual was “trying to throw the woman off track, for he was obsessed by his need to appear innocent” (Turner, 49). While this assists them in maintaining their power, it also strengthens the conflict with the liberals who recognize the conservatives’
This causes the elites to become very hostile toward Lucía and Don Fernando, who are outsiders, as well as other liberals. They are afraid that these outsiders will “change customs handed down from [their] ancestors” (Turner, 22). The conservatives are pleased with how things have been run up to this point, with the Indians following their orders almost without question. The last thing that they want is for the Indians to start an uprising, causing the elites to lose power over them – something that Turner later portrays will eventually occur. Father Pascual describes that the liberals are creating this uprising by using “words that once the Indians hear them… will in effect put an end to… the advance payment, the mitas, the pongos…” (Turner, 25). And while the officials are persistent to maintain their power and influence, they are also determined to look innocent, as if they do not know what they are doing is wrong. For example, when discussing the gun shot with the woman, Father Pascual was “trying to throw the woman off track, for he was obsessed by his need to appear innocent” (Turner, 49). While this assists them in maintaining their power, it also strengthens the conflict with the liberals who recognize the conservatives’