This lecture gives the historical context in Venezuela in the 1920s and 30s in order to appreciate the literary significance of the classic1929 novel Doña Bárbara, by Rómulo Gallegos. Gallegos was writing this novel under the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez, and it explores the theme of 'civilization and barbarism' harking back nearly 100 years to Domingo Sarmiento in Argentina. Notably, Gallegos later became the first democratically elected president of Venezuela, although he only lasted one year before being overthrown by another dictator, General Marcos Pérez Jiménez.
Doña Bárbara is a classic of Venezuelan history and has been made into several movies and TV series.
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