Peer Blog: Kelsey P.

PEER BLOG (KELSEY P.)

Guevera's Motorcycle Diaries

Motorcycle Diaries exemplifies to characteristics of a buildungsroman by serving as a "coming of age" story of Ernesto Guevara. During the course of the novel, Guevara transforms from a 22-year-old, sheltered medical student to a mature, serious adult. Guevara grows psychologically, morally and socially throughout various encounters with people and places. One such experience is when he meets the Communist couple in the Chilean desert. Guevara and Granado had been traveling for a long period of time without food, water or rest. Upon meeting the couple, they are relieved. However, they soon realize that the couple is in worse condition than they are. The following day, Ernesto is exposed to poverty of the indigenous peasants who are all searching for work. Guevara is appalled at the treatment of workers. This is the first instance that makes a noticeable change in Guevara. Furthermore, Guevara is changed psychologically during his visit to Macchu Picchu. He wonders how the highly advanced culture gave way to the urban sprawl of Lima. In addition, Guevara's visit to the leper colony alters his outlook on life most drastically. He sees the physical and symbolic division of society and strives to close the gap. All of these encounters with social injustice transform the way Guevara sees the world and motivates his later political activities as a revolutionary.

Plan: 8000 km in 4 months
Name of motorcyle: La Ponderosa (The Mighty One)
Travelers: Ernesto Guevara & Alberto Granado
Chichina: Ernesto's Girlfriend

"You gotta fight for every breath, and tell death to go to hell."
-Ernesto says this to Silva (patient at the leper colony)

MY RESPONSE:

This entry has great insight into Guevera's Motorcycle Diaries and clearly exemplifies Ernesto's buildungsroman throughout the film. The specific example of the Communist couple looking for work was a great turning point in the movie, in addition to their visit to Macchu Picchu and the leper colony. The overall experiences with social justice and this idea of closing the gap truly represents what Ernesto stands for, and thus foreshadows his future career as a revolutionary. Lastly, the quote he says to the dying patient at the leper colony, ""You gotta fight for every breath, and tell death to go to hell," depicts his courage and never-ending fight to stand up for himself and what he believes in. For example, he becomes a part of the leper community rather than treating them as outcasts, he lashes out at the mine managers for mistreating the workers, for telling the man that he had cancer rather than sugarcoating it, and lastly when he truthfully told the author that he did not like his story. Ernesto is strong and his actions are the reason he is so influential and became a powerful revolutionary leader.