19th century latin america

In the previous module, we practiced analyzing a historical monograph for its thesis (or main argument), sources, bias, and contribution. In this module, we will deploy many of these same methods to analyze the literature created by Latin American journalists, writers, and commentators during the 1880s. These authors were grappling with the introduction of new technologies, changing class dynamic, and shifting styles of production (see especially Chasteen's intro to Chapter 5 in  Latin American Voices). Note that regardless of genre, the writers are composing in an "objective" yet detailed style informed by literary realism. (See " Realism Across the Globe Download Realism Across the Globe" from the Norton Anthology for more on this literary style.)

Step 1: Read two of the primary sources in Chapter 5 (your choice!) and fill out the table below. (Available as a Google Doc you can copy, download, or print  hereLinks to an external site..)

	Source 1	Source 2
Title of work
Author
Setting (including country) and subject matter or topic of work
Genre (newspaper account? letter? short story? novel excerpt? memoir?)
Main argument or thesis of work
How is the state (the government/the ruling class) depicted or presented?
How is the nation (the people/the peasantry or workers) depicted or presented?
Does the work present a counter-argument? If so, what?
Evidence used
Bias of author
Contribution to our knowledge of this time period and ideas of "progress"

Step 2: Write a short (200-350 words) reflection on the excitement and ambiguities Latin American authors expressed over the changes of the late nineteenth century, incorporating evidence from these two sources.

What you're submitting: the notes from step 1, the reflection from step 2. Either as one file or two is fine.