Erna von der Walde

CECI NEST PAS UN CROCODILE:

VARIATIONS ON THE THEME OF
AMERICAN NATURE AND THE WRITING
OF HISTORY*
Aitc: t|c ccict i: t|c cvc: Yc:s W: ;1.oo!,, i: |clousl, closcc ll cccss to
its osscssio:s i: t|c :cw Wo:lc :tu:lists i: l:iti:, l::cc :c Gc:u:,, suc| s
Williu ko|c:tso:, c: luis lcclc:c luiio:, t|c A||c k,:l :c o::clius cc lw,
wc:c t|c:cio:c |::cc i:ou ci:cct o|sc:vtio: :c llcc t|c vcuuu wit| sccultio:
G:ctl, i:uc:ccc |, t|c gc:c:l cliutc oi :ti:is| iccli:g, t|c, uoulccc t|c
vil|lc i:io:utio: o: t|c :cw Wo:lc i:to t|co:, oi ccgc:c:c, t|t :ot o:l,
u:o:tcc to ccsc:i|c t|c :tu:l wo:lc |ut lso ccou:tcc io: t|c i:ic:io:it, oi t|c
colc :c t|c socil :c oliticl io:utio:s lctwcc: 1-- :c 10+, Alcx:cc: vo:
luu|olct o|ti:cc c:uissio: i:ou t|c :is| :ow: to visit tc::ito:ics t|t |c :ot
|cc: cxlo:cc |, :o:t|c:: lu:oc: :tu:lists si:cc t|c |oi:t l::co:is|
cxccitio: oi l o:cui:c, A:to:io cc Dllo :c o:gc u: ;1!.+., luu|olct
cccictcc |is liic to couosi:g scic:tic visio: oi :tu:c w|ic|, uo:gst ot|c:s,
:ciutcc t|c ilsc sttcuc:ts :c ssuutio:s |out t|c :tu:l wo:lc i: t|c Auc:ics
I|is, |owcvc:, cic :ot cissucc G W l lcgcl i:ou tcc|i:g t|c t|co:ics oi
Auc:ic: ccgc:c:c, i: |is lcsso:s o: t|c |iloso|, oi |isto:, i: lc:li: |ctwcc:
1!! :c 1!1
1
I|is :ticlc is :cci:g oi : i:stlltio: |, t|c olou|i: :tist osc Alc|:c:o
kcst:co cllcc luu|olcts :ococilc is :ot lcgcls ;1--+,, wo:| t|t stgcs
co:i:o:ttio: |ctwcc: luu|olct :c lcgcls visio:s oi Auc:ic: :tu:c wit|
:cic:c:cc to c:ococilc At :st gl:cc, it c:s to oiic: siulc co:t:st |ctwcc:
t|c ositivc visio: oi t|c :tu:list gi:st t|c :cgtivc oi t|c |iloso|c: lc:c, l will
t|c u, cuc i:ou kcst:cos iccc to cxui:c t|csc visio:s, ciscussi:g t|c |c|g:ou:c
oi t|c tcxts |c quotcs i:ou t|c two Gc:u: t|i:|c:s, i: o:cc: to cst|lis| t|c oi:ts t
w|ic| t|is i:stlltio: i:tc:vc:cs
I|c titlc :cic:s to kc:c \g:ittcs cci :cst s u:c ic :c, co:c:ctcl,, to
\ic|cl loucults :cci:g oi t|is ictu:c ;loucult, 1-!, loucults i:tc::cttio: oi
\g:ittc |cls uc to :cc kcst:cos i:stlltio: i: tc:us oi t|c sccs c:ctcc |, t|c
wo:|, :c to c:w ttc:tio: to t|c i:ctu:cs i: t|c su:icc oi :c:csc:ttio: \, iu is
to ciscuss t|c uo:tgc i: kcst:cos iccc s :ccctio: o: t|c ciscu:sivc i:sc:itio:
oi lti: Auc:ic wit|i: cc:ti: |isto:icl coccs, i:ucs oi :c:csc:ttio: :c s,stcus
oi i:tc::cttio: Discou:scs o: Auc:ic: :tu:c, l will :guc, iu:ctio: s ccviccs to
loctc lccs, :csou:ccs :c colcs wit|i: : o:cc: oi t|i:gs t|t sc:vc t|c
:o:itio: oi :tu:c io: couuocictio:
Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies, Vol. 15, No. 2 August 2006, pp. 231-249
ISSN 1356-9325/print 1469-9575 online q 2006 Taylor & Francis
DOI: 10.1080/13569320600782286
osc Alc|:c:o kcst:co ;| 1-.-, is o:c oi olou|is lcci:g co:tcuo::,
visul :tists l: :ic| :c civc:sc t:|ccto:,, |c |s cxlo:cc t|c c,:uics oi
owc: :c :c:csc:ttio: i: t|c violc:t |isto:, oi lti: Auc:ic kcst:co uscs
|isto:icl utc:il :c ico:og:|, to stgc wcllccctcc :::tivcs :c
:c:csc:ttio:s, :c :::gcs t|cu i: uo:tgcs t|t u:scttlc :c cisu:tlc t|ci:
:c:t co:sistc:c, A cisti:ctivc ictu:c is t|c visul cco:ou, oi |is i:stlltio:s,
w|ic| us|cs io:w:c t|c suggcstivc owc: oi t|c iugcs :c susc:cs t|c
:cic:c:til o:cc: oi t|i:gs
luu|olcts :ococilc is :ot lcgcls |clo:gs to c:ioc i: w|ic| |c cl|o:tcc
vicco i:stlltio:s ccli:g wit| t|c ciscou:sc o: :tu:c i: lti: Auc:ic: |isto:,, t|c
iu:i:t oi colo:iztio: :c citlisu, :c t|c :o|cctio:s oi lu:oc: iugi:tio:
!
l: wo:|s li|c Di:io cc vi|cs ;1--!, :c ll so ccl Qui:c o ;1--,, |c t|cs t|c
ico:og:|, oi lu:oc: :c coucstic t:vcllc:s to cou:tc:oi:t t|cu wit|
co:tcuo::, vicco iugcs i: o:cc: to ccu,stii, t|c :c:csc:ttio: :c u:vcil t|c
violc:cc o|scu:cc |, cst|ctistio:
l: :ot|c: iccc, \us :cisic ;1--+,, |c cc:csscs t|c issuc oi
couuocit, ictis|isu, cl|o:ti:g uo:tgc t|t co:i:o:ts t|c visito: to w|ou
t|c couio:t|lc :olc oi scctto: is cc:icc wit| |ot| t|c u,stictio:s :c t|c
:clitics |iccc: |c|i:c t|c siulc :c i::occ:t c::cc oi |:: lscc o:
:i:ctcc:t|cc:tu:, :i:t oi wou: sitti:g u:cc: |:: t:cc, t|c i:stlltio:
:csc:ts |u:c|cs oi t|c i:uit |:gi:g i: c:|c:cc cx|i|itio: :oou, vicco sc:cc:s
:c ttc|cc to cc| |u:c|, |ut t|c iugc is o:l, visi|lc i: t|c :ccctio: oi ui::o:s
FI GURE 1 Musa paradisiaca. q Jose Alejandro Restrepo.
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 3 2
lccc o: t|c oo: u:cc: t|cu io:ci:g t|c visito: to st:c u:cc: t|c |::s
!
I|c
iugcs :o|cctcc :c stgcc c:io:u:ccs oi Acu :c lvc i: :cisc co:t:stcc
wit| clii:gs i:ou IV :co:ts o: t|c violc:cc i: t|c D:| :cgio: oi olou|i,
t|c t:citio:l zo: |::c:
I|c i:o:, lics i: t|c titlc itscli Moo o.o1..o.o is li::cuss scic:tic :uc io: t|c
|:: I|c o:igi: oi t|c :uc |s |ccouc lcgc:c:,, |ut i: t|c u:, vc:sio:s wc c:
c:ccivc t|c :o|cctio:s oi t|c lu:oc: iugi:tio: o: t|c cxotic cou|i:cc wit| t|c
|ilologicl ut|c:tictio: ccvicc oi :cic:c:cc to :cic:t sou:ccs Acco:ci:g to o:c
vc:sio:, Moo, w|ic| givcs t|c :uc to t|c gc:us, u, cc:ivc i:ou t|c A:| :uc oi
t|c i:uit ;oo.co.,, w|ic|, i: tu::, u, |c :cltcc to t|c :o|ct \us
;.1!00 l,, : lg,ti: w|o ccou:icc t|c ls:clitcs i: t|c cxocus to llcsti:c
I|c :uc /ooo u, cqull, cc:ivc i:ou t|c A:|ic wo:c /oo, uc:i:g :gc: oi
u:
+
A lcss i:tc:csti:g |ut uo:c li|cl, cxl:tio: ostultcs t|t li::cus u,
|vc |cc: |o:ou:i:g A:to:io \us, t|c |,sici: oi luc:o: ctvius Augustus
;Dc l:g|c, !000 o, lt is sic t|t t|c wccis| scic:tist, w|o ws lso t|c :st to
succcssiull, g:ow |:: t:cc i: lu:oc: g:cc:|ousc, |clicvcc t|is to |vc |cc:
t|c io:|iccc: i:uit lvc oiic:cc Acu i: :cisc, :c t|us t|c :uc o.o1..o.o io: t|c
sccics lli:, t|c llcc: uc:tio:s t|t wisc uc: i: l:ci tc i:uit t|t i: ltc:
i:tc::cttio:s |s |cc: ssocitcc wit| t|c |:: ;o: o:c oi its :cltivcs, t|c
l:ti:,, :c t|us t|c ot|c: :uc io: t|c i:uit Moo o..o
kcst:cos i:stlltio: i:vo|cs t|is cxtc:sivc glx, oi :cic:c:ccs t|:oug| t|c
:uc ;scc kcst:co, 1--, lut t|c cxc:ic:cc oi t|c iccc s suc| iu:ctio:s t|:oug|
violc:t co:t:st it cls to lu:oc: iugi:tivc :o|cctio:s oi t:oicl :ciscs
t|t |ot| t|c i:uit :c its :uc c::,, tcuti:g visito:s to ct o:c |, cli:g to t|ci:
ccsi:c io: t:oicl i:uits, o:l, to co:i:o:t t|cu wit| i:ic::l co:citio:s oi
cxloittio: I|us, |c lso l,s |:c t|c uc:i:g oi t|c two |isto:icl t:ocs t|t |vc
ccou:icc t|c iugi:tio: oi Auc:ic: :tu:c s !c.o oc.o :c !c.o ..../.!.
D:li|c Moo o.o1..o.o, luu|olcts :ococilc is :ot lcgcls cocs :ot iu:ctio:
s ci:cct cisclosu:c oi t|c :cltio: |ctwcc: couuocit, :c t|c violc:cc oi
:ocuctio: lt t|cs us to t|c lcvcl oi scic:tic :c |iloso|icl ciscou:scs o:
Auc:ic: :tu:c, :c co:t:sts t|cu wit| :cso:sc t|t woulc, iccll,, cuc:gc i:ou
:tu:c itscli I|is iccc co:i:o:ts t|c scctto: wit| t|c coulcxit, oi t|c ciscu:sivc
l,c:s t|t c:vclo : o||cct to t|c oi:t oi :c:cc:i:g it luost i:visi|lc
I|c i:stlltio: co:sists oi two iugcs :c two tcxts : t|c lowc: :t oi t|c
i:stlltio:, uo:c o: lcss t t|c lcvcl oi t|c vicwc:s s|i:, two sc:cc:s wiccl, sc:tcc
i:ou cc| ot|c: s|ow t|c c,c :c t|c til oi : :iul |clo:gi:g to t|c ..c.c1,!o
iuil, I|c sc:cc: t|t s|ows t|c c,c is lccc slig|tl, |ig|c: t|: t|c o:c wit| t|c til,
:ocuci:g t|c ciicct oi t|c s|c oi t|c :iul I|c two sc:cc:s io:u :t oi t|c li:c
luu|olcts :ococilc is :ot lcgcls, t|us
lD\llDI jlYl kDlll l :I llGll jIAll
I|c :uc oi luu|olct l,s t|c :olc oi t|c |sc:t uout|, lcgcl is :t oi t|c |sc:t
|oc, D:cc::ct|, t|c cxtc:sio: oi t|c sc:tc:cc:iul is :uuc:icll, :c:csc:tcc s
!. icct, :cic::i:g to t|c sizc oi t|c c:ococilc cco:ci:g to luu|olct lovc:i:g ovc:
t|c sc:cc:s, t |cig|t oi |out vc icct t|t is, t t|c lcvcl oi t|c vicwc:s c,cs
two tcxts, o:c |, luu|olct :c o:c |, lcgcl, :cic: to t|c c:ococilc
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 3 3
luu|olcts tcxt is t|c ostsc:it to lcttc: to V::|gc: vo: l:sc w:ittc: i:
1! :c :ccs t|us
l woulc volu:t:il, givc u |cci i:ou lu:oc: cows w|ic| lcgcl, i: |is
ig:o::cc, co:sicc:s suc:io: to t|t oi Auc:ic: cows, :c l woulc li|c to livc
:c: t|osc cclictc :c wc| c:ococilcs w|ic| u:io:tu:tcl, :c !. icct lo:g
I|c llusio: to lcgcl i: luu|olcts tcxt :cic:s to :cu:| |, t|c |iloso|c: i: t|c
i:t:ocuctio: to |is lcctu:cs o: 1|. t|.!cc|, c u.c.,, u|lis|cc ost|uuousl, t|t
suc ,c:, w|ic| i: t|c i:stlltio: c:s quotcc t|us
Auc:ic |s lw,s s|ow: itscli iuotc:t, :c still cocs, :ot o:l, |,sicll, |ut
si:itull, lts lio:s, tigc:s :c c:ococilcs t|oug| :cscu|li:g t|ci: |ouo:,us i:
t|c lc Wo:lc, :c i: ll :csccts, sullc:, wc|c: :c lcss owc:iul
.
lvc: t t|is u:cl, ccsc:itivc lcvcl, wc c: c:ccivc : clcuc:t oi i:co:g:uc:cc :o
co:vc:stio: c: t|c lcc |ctwcc: t|c two tcxts lt|oug| luu|olct :cic:s to |cci,
t|c Auc:ic: uoclit, oi w|ic| lcgcl so uuc| cc:cctcs, i: t|c quottio: oi t|c
|iloso|c:s tcxt :o cows :c to |c iou:c l: luu|olcts ::ottio:s, o: t|c ot|c:
|:c, t|c:c :c :o lio:s o: tigc:s I|c c:ococilc is t|c o:l, oi:t w|c:c t|c two visio:s
ucct At t|t oi:t, t|c :iul ccscs to |c |ust :cic:c:t to |ccouc : cu|lcu oi
Auc:ic: :tu:c I|is cu|lcu, t|oug|, i: kcst:cos i:stlltio:, is luost |sc:t,
:cvcli:g o:l, : c,c t|t |li:|s :c til t|t uovcs vc:, slowl,
FI GURE 2 Humboldts crocodile is not Hegels. q Jose Alejandro Restrepo.
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 3 4
lcio:c ttcuti:g to i:tc::ct t|c sig:ic:cc oi t|c c:ococilc :c its luost
coulctc |sc:cc, l w:t to ciscuss lcgcl :c luu|olcts visio:s to loctc t|c scc
i: w|ic| kcst:cos i:stlltio: i:tc:vc:cs l: w,, t|c quottio:s :c lso li|c |cc
:c til oi uuc| vstc: co:st:uctio: l: t|c su:icc oi t|c i:stlltio:, t|c, |:cl,
touc|, t|c, o:l, ucct t t|t cistu:|i:g clusivc oi:t t|c c:ococilc At t|c suc tiuc,
t|c, :c lccc s |clo:gi:g to t|c suc o:cc: t|t oi ciscou:sc :c :c lccc s
cu|lcus oi lu:oc: gzcs ovc: Auc:ic
First variation: Hegels crocodile
lcgcls olcuicl :cu:|s o: Auc:ic: :tu:c i: t|c it| c|tc: oi t|c i:t:ocuctio:
to t|c t|.!cc|, c u.c.,, w|ic| |c:s t|c titlc I|c Gcog:|icl lsis oi listo:,,
cou|i:c wiccl, ccctcc :otio:s i: lu:oc t t|c tiuc lc :clics o: t|c icc t|t
civiliztio:s o: cui:cs cv:cc, li|c t|c su:, i:ou lst to Wcst lct us :ccll
|c:c t|t t.o ;:cic::i:g to t|c su::isc, ws couuo: :uc io: t|c :ic:t, :c t|t
i: Gc:u: t|c Wcst s gcog:|icl :cgio: ;s ooscc to c:ci:l oi:t, is
+/.1!o1 ;ic l:c oi t|c :ig|till, I|c :cgul: cou:sc oi t|c c, :oviccc uct|o:
io: gcog:|icl cuu |isto:icl iugi:i:gs, w|c:c|, t|c |cgi::i:g oi tiuc ws i: t|c
cst ;Mc..!o1, :c t|c c:c i: t|c wcst
o
l: lcgcls stiltcuo:l sc|cuc, |isto:,
|c :cc|cc its c| i: t|c lu:oc oi |is tiuc low cocs o:c ccou:t, t|c:, io: t|c
ict t|t iu:t|c: wcst l, : c:o:uous co:ti:c:t I|c :cw Wo:lc |c to |c loctcc
|ot| |iloso|icll, :c |isto:icll, wit|i: t|is visio:
tiuistic :c l:ouct|c: :o|cctio:s lccc i: t|c :cw Wo:lc lost :ciscs :c
utoi: iutu:cs oi :cicll, ciiic:c:t socictics t|t woulc |:c| t|c uoulc oi t|c lc
Wo:lc :c :cccsig: t|c cou:sc oi |isto:, i t|csc, c:|s t|c uost wiccs:cc ws
kousscus |uu:isu:c |is :otio: oi t|c :o|lc svgc u:co:tui:tcc |, civiliztio:
:c its cisco:tc:ts A:ot|c: visio:, u:osciull, uscc to :ciutc kousscus cxltcc
:o|cctio:, ws t|c scic:ticll, |scc :otio: oi t|c gcog:|icl, cliutic :c |iologicl
ccccc:cc ;o: :iucvl stgc, oi t|c Auc:ic: co:ti:c:t, t|c uost co:sistc:t vc:sio:
:ci:g io:u i: t|c wo:| oi Gco:gcs louis lcclc:c, outc cc luiio: ;10,
luiio: ccvclocc cctilcc ccou:t oi t|c ciiic:c:ccs |ctwcc: t|c :iuls i: t|c
lc :c t|c :cw Wo:lc, :c uo: t|is, |c :ticultcc t|co:, oi t|c gc:c:l
stg:tio: oi :tu:c i: t|c Auc:ic: co:ti:c:t l: uuc|quotcc ssgc i:ou t|c
u.c... :oo..!!., |c sttcc t|t
l: Auc:ic . . . :iutcc :tu:c is wc|c:, lcss ctivc, :c uo:c ci:cuusc:i|cc i:
t|c v:ict, oi |c: :ocuctio:s, io: wc c:ccivc, i:ou t|c c:uuc:tio: oi t|c
Auc:ic: :iuls, t|t t|c :uu|c:s oi sccics is :ot o:l, icwc:, |ut t|t, i:
gc:c:l, ll t|c :iuls :c uuc| sullc: t|: t|osc oi t|c lc o:ti:c:t :o
Auc:ic: :iul c: |c cou:cc wit| t|c clc|:t, t|c :|i:occ:os, t|c
|iootuus, t|c c:oucc:,, t|c cuclo:c jgi:iic, t|c |uiilo, t|c lio:, t|c
tigc:, sc ;luiio:, 11,i A:iuls lcculi: to t|c :cw Wo:lc, Vol . 11.,
:ot o:l, wc:c o:igi::, :iuls wc|c: t|: t|osc i: t|c lc Wo:lc, |ut |c coulc lso
o|sc:vc t|t jll t|c :iuls w|ic| |vc |cc: t::so:tcc i:ou lu:oc to Auc:ic . . .
|vc |ccouc sullc:, :c t|osc w|ic| wc:c :ot t::so:tcc, |ut wc:t t|it|c:
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 3 5
so:t:cousl,, t|osc, i: wo:c, w|ic| :c couuo: to |ot| o:ti:c:ts . . . :c lso
co:sicc:|l, lcss t|: t|osc oi lu:oc ;luiio:, 11, i A:iuls ouuo: to lot|
o:ti:c:ts, Vol . 1!-,
lu:t|c:uo:c, w|t :ovcc :ig|t io: uuuls coulc cqull, |c o|sc:vcc i: t|c
i:||it:ts oi t|c co:ti:c:t
l: t|c svgc, t|c o:g:s oi gc:c:tio: :c sull :c icc|lc lc |s :o |i:, :o
|c:c, :o :cou: io: t|c iculc I|oug| :iu|lc: t|: t|c lu:oc:, |ccusc uo:c
ccustoucc to :u::i:g, |is st:c:gt| is :ot so g:ct lis sc:stio:s :c lcss cutc,
:c ,ct |c is uo:c tiuic :c cow:cl, lc |s :o vivcit,, :o ctivit, oi ui:c I|c
ctivit, oi |is |oc, is :ot so uuc| : cxc:cisc o: so:t:cous uotio:, s
:cccss:, ctio: :ocuccc |, w:t Dcst:o, |is ctitc io: victuls :c c:i:|, :c
,ou will t o:cc ::i|iltc t|c ctivc :i:cilc oi ll |is uovcuc:ts lc :cui:s i:
stuic :cosc, o: |is liu|s o: couc|, io: w|olc c,s lt is cs, to ciscovc: t|c cusc
oi t|c scttc:cc liic oi svgcs, :c oi t|ci: cst::gcuc:t i:ou socict, I|c, |vc
|cc: :ciuscc t|c uost :ccious s:| oi :tu:cs :c I|c, |vc :o :cou: io:
wouc:, :c, oi cou:sc, :o lovc to u:|i:c ;luiio:, 11, Vol . 1!0,
lscc o: t|csc o|sc:vtio:s, luiio: ws |lc to co:clucc t|t i: t|is :cw Wo:lc,
t|c:cio:c, t|c:c is souc cou|i:tio: oi clcuc:ts :c ot|c: |,sicl cuscs, souct|i:g
t|t ooscs t|c ulictio: oi :iutcc :tu:c ;11, Vol . 1!-,, w|ic| |c t|c:
:occcccc to cxli:
lct us :ow cxui:c w|, t|c :ctilcs :c i:sccts :c so l:gc, t|c quc:uccs so
sull, :c t|c uc: so colc, i: t|c :cw Wo:lc I|csc ciiccts uust |c :cic::cc to
t|c qulit, oi t|c c:t| :c tuos|c:c, to t|c ccg:cc oi |ct :c uoistu:c, to t|c
situtio: :c |cig|t oi uou:ti:s, to t|c qu:tit, oi :u::i:g :c stg::t wtc:s,
to t|c cxtc:t oi io:csts, :c, |ovc ll, to t|c i:c:t co:citio: oi :tu:c i: t|t
cou:t:, l: t|is :t oi t|c glo|c, t|c |ct i: gc:c:l is uuc| lcss, :c t|c |uuicit,
uuc| g:ctc: ;luiio:, 11, Vol . 1!!,
luiio:s t|cscs o: Auc:ic: :tu:c wc:c t::sltcc, cxggc:tcc :c :ogtcc i:
l:ussi |, t|c Dutc| :icst o::clius Dc luw i: oul: u|lct, r..|...|.
t|.!cc|.o. o. !. +. ...o., :st u|lis|cc i: 1o

Wo:|i:g u:cc: l:icc:ic| ll ;w|o

govc::cc |ctwcc: 1+0 :c 1o,, Dc luws r..|...|. :oviccc scic:tic
iou:ctio: to cctc: cuig:tio: to t|c :cwWo:lc i: cuig: :ouotcc |, t|c lisc:
lt ws lcgcl, |owcvc:, w|o i:co:o:tcc luiio:s t|cscs o: Auc:ic: :tu:c
i:to owc:iul |iloso|icl ciscou:sc t|t wc:t |c,o:c ccsc:itivc cxositio:s :c
t|c co:clusio:s to |c cc:ivcc i:ou t|cu l, t|c tiuc |c :csc:tcc |is lcctu:cs,
lu:oc: :c Auc:ic: scic:tists, :ot|l, I|ous ciic:so: ;:c. c |. :o. c
....o, 1,, |c io:cciull, :ciutcc souc oi t|c uost out:gcous :o:u:citio:s,
:c cvc: luiio: |c :cviscc |is iccs o: Auc:ic: ccgc:c:c, ;luiio:, 1, \o:c
iuo:t:tl,, t|c succcss oi t|c Auc:ic: kcvolutio: i:cictcc t|t t|c t|cscs
:cg:ci:g t|c :cw Wo:lc ccu:ccc uo:c cutio: ouc oi t|is lcit : iu:cssio:,
io: lcgcl cocs u|c cisti:ctio: |ctwcc: :o:t| :c out| Auc:ic, :c w|ilc |c
still |olcs o: to t|c :otio: t|t :tu:c i: t|c :cw Wo:lc is wc|, |c s|iits uost oi
t|c :cgtivc sccts to t|c out|
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 3 6
l: lcgcls visio:, |isto:, cv:ccc i:ou cst to wcst s utc:iliztio: oi t|c
i:it, :c it |c :cc|cc its cului:tio: i: lu:oc t t|c tiuc |c ws tcc|i:g |is
lcctu:cs o: t|c |iloso|, oi u:ivc:sl |isto:, i: lc:li: |ctwcc: 1!! :c 1!1 l: t|c
lcgcli: s,stcu, co:scious:css sscs t|:oug| :occss oi cilccticl su|ltio:
;Aui|c|u:g, oi ciiic:c:t uouc:ts o: stgcs, w|ic| :c :ot :cccss:il, |isto:icl i:
tcuo:l tc:us |ut :c cccl, :ootcc i: |is ow: i:tc::cttio: oi lu:oc: |isto:, l:
t|is :occss, t|c cului:ti:g oi:t oi co:scious:css is w|c: it :cc|cs t|c |solutc
si:it co:stitutcc |, kcso: kcso: :ulcc t|c wo:lc, :c |isto:, ws t|c :og:cssivc
u:iicsttio: oi it i: wo:lc|isto:icl cvc:ts I|c |ig|cst stgc oi kcso: |c |cc:
c|icvcc, io: lcgcl, i: t|c co:c:ctc cu|ociuc:t oi t|c i:it i: t|c ttc, sccicll,
i: its uocc:: co:gu:tio: s it ws t|i:g s|c i: lu:oc
Auc:ic i: lcgcls s,stcu :cui:cc outsicc |isto:,, li:gc:i:g t t|c uost s
ossi|lc iutu:c, |ut s iutu:c t|t, t lcst io: w|ilc, |c :ot|i:g to co wit| t|c
co:c:ctio: oi ctc::l kcso: Auc:ic is t|c l:c oi t|c iutu:c, s,s lcgcl i: o:c oi
t|c :l ssgcs oi t|c i:t:ocuctio:, :c ji: t|c tiuc to couc, t|c cc:tc: oi wo:lc
|isto:icl iuo:t:cc will |c :cvclcc t|c:c lut i: o:cc: to co so, Auc:ic will |vc
to |:c| wit| ll t|t wo:lc |isto:, |s |:oug|t |out u:til t|c: lo:, so i:, ll t|t |s
t|c: lcc i: Auc:ic is uc:c cc|o oi t|c lc Wo:lc, :c t|c cx:cssio: oi : lic:
vitlit, ;lcgcl, 1-1 -0,
lcgcl us t|c wo:lc :st s civiccc |ctwcc: t|c :cw Wo:lc :c t|c lc Wo:lc
I|c socllcc :cwWo:lc, |c :otcs, :cccivcs t|is :uc to ccou:t io: t|c ict t|t it ws
:ot |:ow: to colcs oi t|c lc Wo:lc u:til :cltivcl, :ccc:tl, lut, s |c oi:ts out,
t|c, :c :cw ltogct|c:, i: :cscct oi t|ci: w|olc |,sicl :c si:itul u|cu
;lcgcl, 1-1 ., lcgcl loctcs Auc:ic :c Aust:li wit|i: t|c :cw Wo:lc :
Aust:li |c |s vc:, littlc to s,, ot|c: t|: t|t its wtc:s |vc :ot ,ct cug :ivc:|cc
:c t|us cut, i:to u:s|cs Wit| :cg:c to Auc:ic, |c co:t:sts t|c :o:t| wit| t|c
out| ;i:ou \cxico sout|w:cs,, st:cssi:g t|c :cligious, oliticl :c |isto:icl
ciiic:c:ccs o:c is l:otcst:t, t|c ot|c: is t|olic, o:c is ccuoc:tic, t|c ot|c: is :ulcc
|, uilit:, uc:, o:c ws colo:izcc, t|c ot|c: ws co:quc:cc l:cust:,, g:icultu:c :c
couuc:cc ll :osc:cc i: t|c l:otcst:t :cgio:, |ccusc t|c :cligio: c:cou:gcs t:ust
oi i:civiculs i: o:c :ot|c: I|c t|olic :cligio: :oviccs :o suc| |sis I|c :cgtivc
ictu:cs :c ll lccc i: t|c sout|c:: :t oi t|c co:ti:c:t, :c uuc| oi it |s |cc:
cxcluccc ltogct|c: i:ou |isto:, ;iutu:c o: ot|c:wisc, io:, wc coulc :cvc: :c g:ou:c
io: wo:lc|isto:icl colcs i: t|c to::ic zo:c o: i: t|c i:igic zo:c ;lcgcl, 1-1 +,
lollowi:g t|is :c:cc :occss oi cisti:ctio:s, wc c: scc t|t i: kcst:cos i:stlltio:
lcgcls c:ococilc |s to |c t|c: s : cu|lcu oi Auc:ic: :tu:c i: t|c Io::ic Zo:c,
w|c:c|, t|c gcog:|icl sccictio: ccou:ts lso io: its lcc i: |isto:, l: lcgcli:
tc:us, t|is zo:c is cccucc :o:|isto:icl, w|ic| cocs :ot uc: t|t :ot|i:g |c:s t|c:c
|ut t|t :o :isc oi |isto:icl co:scious:css is to cuc:gc i:ou its colcs listo:icit, is
uttc: oi co:scious:css :c su||cctivit,, :c t|us t|c |isto:, oi t|c colc wit|out
|isto:, is o:l, t|t oi t|c ctio:s cxc:tcc |, |isto:icl |ci:gs uo: t|cu
Interlude
lt woulc |c cs, to t|c lcgcls Gcog:|icl lsis oi listo:, to ts| o: t|c
uisco:cctio:s :c uisco:st:uctio:s |, cisqulii,i:g cc| oi t|c ilsc sttcuc:ts oi ict
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 3 7
:c t|c ilsc co:clusio:s c:w: i:ou t|cu I|c :o|lcus oscc |, t|is :t oi t|c
i:t:ocuctio:, |owcvc:, |vc vc:, littlc to co wit| t|c icts l:|:si:g lcgl
cx:cssio:, w|t uttc:s |c:c is :ot t|c !... |ut t|c ... oi t|c u:ivc:sl |isto:icl lw
l: t|c ovc:ll sc|cuc t|t lcgcl uts io:w:c, luost :, ot|c: sct oi icts coulc |vc
sc:vcc t|c u:osc
li|c u:, oi |is co:tcuo::ics, lcgcl ws co:cc::cc wit| t|c cssc:cc oi
|isto:,, wit| t|c iu:cuc:tl |iloso|icl :i:cilcs t|t sc:vcc to cst|lis| :c
c|:ctc:izc t|c ciiic:c:t uouc:ts oi |uu: socictics :c to i:qui:c i:to t|c su|st:cc
t|c, wc:c ucc oi I|t is, t|c |iloso|, oi |isto:, ws :ot uttc: oi :l,si:g
cvc:ts s t|c, succccccc cc| ot|c: i: tcuo:l scquc:cc, |ut uostl, qucstio: oi t|c
sc:sc :c uc:i:g oi t|csc cvc:ts s t|c, utc:ilizc i: t|c ... ;lcgcl, 1-1 !,
lo: lcgcl, sc:sc :c uc:i:g wc:c loctcc i: kcso:
I|c o:l, t|oug|t w|ic| |iloso|, |:i:gs wit| it, i: :cg:c to |isto:,, is t|c
siulc t|oug|t oi kcso: t|c t|oug|t t|t kcso: :ulcs t|c wo:lc, :c t|t
wo:lc |isto:, |s t|c:cio:c |cc: :tio:l i: its cou:sc I|is co:victio: :c i:sig|t
is ..oc..c i: :cg:c to |isto:, s suc|, lt|oug| it is :ot :csuositio: i:
|iloso|, itscli ;lcgcl, 1-1 1!,
I|c i:it, io: ll its |st:ctcc:css, is cu|ocicc i: co:c:ctc u:iicsttio:s it is c
colc ;Vol|, listo:icit, is uttc: oi co:scious:css, ic oi :occss oi su|ltio: oi
:tu:c, :c t|c si:it is :cciscl, t|c :isc oi co:scious:css i:ou :tu:cs
cctc:ui:tio:s lcgcl cic :ot u|c :, scc:ct oi t|c ict t|t |c sw t|c g:ctcst
cv:cc oi suc| :occss i: w|t |c tc:ucc Gc:u:ic colcs, c|:ctc:izcc |, t|c
si:itul :c |isto:icl iu:i:t oi t|c l:otcst:t kcio:utio:
I|us, gcog:|, is i:vo|cc :ot s t|c |:owlccgc oi t|c g:ou:c s : cxtc::l
loclc W|t lcgcl w:ts i:ou t|c :tu:l c:vi:o:uc:t is io: it to cxli: |ow it
iiccts t|c colcs t|t i:||it it i: o:cc: to u:cc:st:c t|ci: c|:ctc: :cg:ci:g t|c
i:it, cst|lis|i:g closc :cltio: |ctwcc: :tu:l c:vi:o:uc:t :c olit, |c loo|s
io: t|c :tu:l t,c oi t|c loclit, w|ic| co::cso:cs to t|c t,c :c c|:ctc: oi t|c
colc t|t is t|c c|ilc oi suc| g:ou:c ;lcgcl, 1-1 !,
A c:ucil cisti:ctio: is ucc :io:i |ctwcc: :tio:s s io:utio:s |ci:g closc:
to :tu:c ;:otc t|c ct,uologicl :oxiuit,, :c Vol|c: ;colcs, s : ct|icl
w|olc lo: ll t|c :oclivit, to gcog:|icl cctc:ui:isu, lcgcls :guuc:t ctull,
co:st:ucts |isto:icl cctc:ui:isu :tio:s ;s ooscc to Vol|, :c :ccluccc i:ou
|isto:icit, uostl, |ccusc t|c, |vc :ot c:|o,cc t|c suc |isto:icl io:us li lcgcls
|iloso|, oi |isto:, c: |c u:cc:stooc to collucc wit| colo:ilist iccologics, it is
:cciscl, t t|t oi:t w|c:c cc:ti: |isto:icl :cccssit, cuc:gcs, w|c:c t|c
:og:cssio: oi t|c i:it s it |s u:iicstcc itscli i: lu:oc is clcvtcc to ttc:: t|t
ot|c: colcs :c to iollow i: o:cc: to c:tc: i:to listo:,
lcgcls visio: oi |isto:, c:s so t:ou|li:g to ou: :csc:t sc:si|ilitics |ccusc t|c
c:ucil ciiic:c:cc |ctwcc: colcs c: |c t::sltcc i: tc:us oi :cc

l: u, vicw,
|owcvc:, t|c sig:ic:t cisti:ctio: is uo:c i: tc:us oi ...!..o.c s cuc:gi:g i: sccic
loctio:s lcgcl still u, |vc u oi t|c wo:lc cco:ci:g to w|ic| :ccs :c lso loctcc
gcog:|icll,, |ut t|c iu:cuc:tl oi:t, s c: |c scc: i: |is cotio: oi luiio:s
ccgc:c:c, t|co:,, is t|t civiliztio:s t|:ivc i: cc:ti: loctio:s i:ccc:cc:tl, oi t|c
colou: oi t|c s|i: oi its i:||it:ts :c co :ot i: ot|c:s \ost oi Ai:ic is lcit out oi |is
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 3 8
visio:, cc:ti:l,, |ut :ot t|c \ccitc:::c: :t o: t|c :olc it l,s i: t|c :st stgcs oi
lu:oc: civiliztio:, t t|c suc tiuc, kussi is cxcluccc s uuc| s uost oi lstc::
lu:oc, :c out|c:: lu:oc iccs w, w|c: t|c i:it :cc|cs t|c :o:t|
-
I|c c:ucil oi:t io: u, ciscussio:, t|c:, is t|t lcgcls loctio: oi t|c Io::ic
Zo:c i: |is |iloso|, oi |isto:, c: |c t|c: s : cu|lcutic io:uultio: oi
ciscou:sc t|t tu::s t|c :otio: oi civiliztio: i:to : i:st:uuc:t oi coui:tio:
listo:, sc:vcs |c:c t|c u:osc oi cc:,i:g .c.o!. ;scc l|i:, 1-!, to ll t|osc
w|o :c :ot :ticiti:g oi t|c i:it i: t|c suc w, lcgcls |iloso|, oi |isto:,
cu|lcuticll, :c:csc:ts co:st:uctio: oi ciiic:c:cc lo:g two xcs t|osc w|o co
:ot i:||it t|c wo:lc oi t|c i:it :c loctcc i: ciiic:c:t wo:lc |ot| still, :c
tcuo:ll,, :c i: tc:us oi co:scious:css, t|csc i:civiculs :c :tio:s |vc :ot
:cc|cc t|c suc stgc s wo:lc|isto:icl colcs
Second variation: Humboldts crocodile
Alcx:cc: vo: luu|olct |c witcc t|c u|lictio: oi lcgcls t|.!cc|, c u.c.,
wit| |ot| :csc:vc :c cu:iosit, l: lcttc: to V::|gc: vo: l:sc, |c :ticitcc t|c
ciicct it woulc :ocucc
lcgcls |isto:icl stucics will |c oi sccil i:tc:cst to uc, |ccusc u to :ow l |vc
|c g:ct :c|ucicc gi:st t|c visio: t|t colcs ;Vol|c:,, :, o:c oi t|cu,
s|oulc :c:csc:t souct|i:g, t|t cvc:,t|i:g st |s |cc: to iull w|t t|c
|iloso|c: ugu:s l will :cc c:ciull, :c wit| lcsu:c :cvisc u, :c|uciccs
;luu|olct, 1o0 +! u, t::sltio:,
ltc:, |c ::ou:ccc t|t |c |c t|c voluuc wit| |iu :c ws |out to :cc it, :c i:
t|c |oc, oi t|c :cxt lcttc: to V::|gc: ;t|c ostsc:it oi w|ic| is quotcc i:
kcst:cos i:stlltio:, |c couuc:tcc
I|c:c is, oi cou:sc, w|olc wo:lc oi iccs i: t|is lcgcl, w|ic| G:s |s so
o..o!!, :csc:vcc i: ll |is g:ct i:civiculit,, |ut io: u: li|c uc, w|o li|c
: i:scct :cui:s |ou:c to t|c g:ou:c :c ll its :tu:l civc:sit,, suc| |solutc
sccultio:s, |scc o: ilsc icts :c visio:s |out Auc:ic :c t|c l:cics, ttcut
gi:st i:cccou :c :c i:ig|tc:i:g I|is cocs :ot iul, t|t l c::ot :ccog:izc ll
t|c g:ct:css ;luu|olct, 1o0 ++ u, t::sltio:,
luu|olcts :cctio: ws ti:tcc wit| gooc o:tio: oi c:so:l :csc:tuc:t li:st :c
io:cuost, |c :oticcs i: lcgcls t|.!cc|, c u.c., t|c cis:cg:c io: w|t |c |c
couuu:ictcc i: |is ow: wo:| i ll t|c uisco:cctio:s t|t u, |c :csc:t i: t|c wo:|
oi t|c |iloso|c:, luu|olct u:cc:li:cs t|osc t|t touc| t|is sccic gcog:|ic :c
I|c cxlo:tio: oi Auc:ic |c l,cc iu:cuc:tl :olc i: t|c cl|o:tio: oi
luu|olcts cosuic visio: oi :tu:c lu:t|c:uo:c, t|c Io::ic Zo:c, so ccsiscc |,
lcgcl, ws :cciscl, w|t |c ctu:cc luu|olcts iugi:tio: i: |is 1--10+
t:vcls :c lcit i: |iu sc:sc oi lo:gi:g ;:c c:|s :cg:ct, t|t ccou:icc |iu io:
t|c :cst oi |is liic luu|olct :cvc: iou:c |iuscli t |ouc i: lu:oc itc: t|c
Auc:ic: |ou::c, lc c:vcc t|c li:s oi Vc:czucl :c t|c ug:icc:t co:cillc:s oi
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 3 9
\cxico :c lc:u \:, tiucs |c |c w:tcc to :ctu::, :c t o:c oi:t |c cvc:
co:sicc:cc scttli:g cow: i: \cxico
10
lut |c ws lso w:c t|t :ow|c:c clsc coulc
|c u:suc |is scic:tic stucics, |vc t|c :ig|t i:tc:locuto:s, t|c li|::ics, uuscuus,
|c:|:i, collcctio:s :c i:st:uuc:ts
l: luu|olcts visio: oi t|c l:lig|tc:uc:t, |:owlccgc ws iu:cuc:tl
couo:c:t oi t|c uuc| vstc: :o|cct oi cu:citio: :c i:cccou D:iou:ccc
sccultio: :c :c|ucicc wc:c to |c ovc:couc |, c:ciul :c sou:c stuc,, |, co:st:t
:cvisio: oi t|c ilsc iccs t|t clouccc u:cc:st:ci:g lis scic:tic wo:| ws lso
oliticl, :c |c ctcc uo: t|is, utti:g |is |:owlccgc oi Auc:ic to sc:vicc i: t|c
iu:t|c:i:g oi t|c i:ccc:cc:cc oi t|c :is| Auc:ic: :cu|lics :c to g|t gi:st
slvc:, lc cccictcc uuc| tiuc :c ciio:t to co::ccti:g uisco:cctio:s, :cvisi:g
Williu ko|c:tso:s u.c., c +....o,
11
:c :ciuti:g luiio: :c k,:l w|c:cvc: |c
sottcc : c::o: |, t|csc scic:tists, w|o |c :cvc: visitcc t|c tc::ito:ics uo: w|ic| t|c,
cxc:tcc so uuc| scic:tic ut|o:it,
luu|olct sw c:gc: i: lcgcls visio:, io: it co:t:i|utcc to iostc: :c s:cc t|c
t,c oi :c|ucicc t|t owcc cvc:,t|i:g to ig:o::cc I|c uost c:gc:ous vicw oi t|c
wo:lc ;Wclt:sc|uu:g, is t|t oi t|osc w|o |vc :ot scc: ;vicwcc, t|c wo:lc, s,s
luu|olct :cic::i:g to t|c |iloso|c: ;quotcc |, l:zc:s|c:gc:, !00+ 1., I|c
co:i:o:ttio: ws :ot o:l, |ctwcc: visio:s oi Auc:ic: :tu:c, |ut lso, :c uo:c
iu:cuc:tll,, |ctwcc: :oc|cs to |:owlccgc w|ilc lcgcl co:sicc:cc it i::clcv:t to
|:owt|t g:ou:c s : cxtc::l loclc, io: luu|olct t|c cxc:ic:cc oi t|c g:ou:c ;li|c
: i:scct, :c closc ttc:tio: to cctil :c :ticul:it, wc:c t|c |c, icto:s lis st:ti:g
oi:t ws cc:ti:l, : iuuc:sc t|co:cticl i:ucwo:| oi t|c lws oi :tu:c, |ut t|co:ics
wc:c co:st:tl, ut to t|c tcst i: t|c :csc:cc oi t|c u:iiolc u:iicsttio:s oi t|c :tu:l
wo:lc I|us, io: cxulc, :cg:ci:g c:ococilcs, to w|ic| |c :cic:s o|scssivcl,,
1!
luu|olct gt|c:cc i:io:utio: i:ou t|c i:||it:ts oi t|c :i:oco :c t|c \gclc:
kivc:s, :cgistc:cc t|c ciiic:c:t :ucs oi t|c :iul ;c,u:, lligto:, :c cvc: t|c
:is| cococ:ilo,, ucc o|sc:vtio:s oi |is ow:, ucsu:cc t|cu, collcctcc sulcs to
|c sc:t to lu:oc: uuscuus :c co:tcstcc scic:tic clssictio:s
1!
luu|olcts u|itio: ws to co:vc, t|is vst:css :c uultilicit, i: o:c si:glc ictu:c
;lilc, oi t|c wo:lc, w|ic| couou:ccc :ot o:l, t|c iuuc:sit, oi ccuuultcc ictul
|:owlccgc |ut lso : cst|ctic s,:t|csis t|t woulc |c |lc to co:vc, t|c sc:suous lo:g
wit| t|c i:tcllcctul I|c :st ttcut t t|is iusio: oi t|c scic:tic :c t|c cst|ctic,
st:o:gl, i:uc:ccc |, Goct|c, is to |c iou:c i: |is 10 wo:| +..|. 1.. :oo. :c ws
to cului:tc i: ccc ;1+,, w|ic| |c ccsc:i|cc to |is i:ic:c V::|gc: t|us
l u |cgi::i:g to :i:t u, wo:| ;t|c wo:| oi u, liic, l |c t|c g:ct icc to
:csc:t i: si:glc wo:| t|c w|olc utc:il wo:lc, cvc:,t|i:g wc |:ow :owc,s
|out t|c u:iicsttio:s oi t|c u:ivc:sc :c oi liic o: c:t|, i:ou t|c :c|ulc to
t|c gcog:|, oi t|c uoss o: g::itc :oc|s, :c i: wo:| t|t, t t|c suc tiuc,
t|:oug| livcl, l:gugc stiuultcs :c lcscs t|c si:it lvc:, g:ct :c iuo:t:t
icc t|t u, gliuuc: soucw|c:c uust |c :csc:tcc |c:c :cxt to t|c icts
;luu|olct, 1o0 !! u, t::sltio:,
lcgcls :cu:|s o: Auc:ic :c |is :oc| to |:owlccgc cccl, oiic:ccc luu|olct
lut io: ll t|c ciiic:c:ccs |ctwcc: t|c :tu:list :c t|c |iloso|c:, t|c:c wc:c oi:ts
oi c:cou:tc: I|c iull tcxt oi t|c ostsc:it to t|t lcttc: is :ticul:l, i:tc:csti:g
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 4 0
l |vc o:g:izcc u, liic vc:, |cl,, :c l u coi:g u, |cst to |ccouc stuic s
soo: s ossi|lc l woulc volu:t:il, givc u |cci i:ou lu:oc: cows w|ic|
lcgcl ;,, i: |is ig:o::cc, co:sicc:s suc:io: to t|t oi Auc:ic: cows, :c
l woulc li|c to livc :c: t|osc cclictc :c wc| c:ococilcs w|ic| u:io:tu:tcl,
:c !. icct lo:g lu:t|c: o: ; ++!++,, l li|c ou: :o|lc i:ic:c uuc| uo:c
;luu|olct, 1o0 ++ u, t::sltio:,
I|c ssgc oi t|c c:ococilc cx:csscs iull sc:sc oi i:ust:tio:, s ii t|c wo:| oi |is
liic |c |cc: :t|c: usclcss, :c io: t|is |c |c sc:iccc t|c |i:css |c iclt i: t|c
Io::ic Zo:c
1+
I|c ui:o: :cic:c:cc to t|c closi:g sttcuc:ts oi lcgcls lcctu:cs, o:
t|c ot|c: |:c, :cic:s to t|c s|:cc vicw oi t|c closc :cltio:s|i |ctwcc: l:otcst:t
kcio:utio: :c c:lig|tc:cc |:owlccgc s io:u oi :o:itio: oi t|c wo:lc t|t
woulc c:|lc i:cccou |o:tl, |cio:c |vi:g :cc lcgcls t|.!cc|, c u.c.,,
luu|olct |c couuu:ictcc wit| c:t|usisu to V::|gc: |is ow: visio: oi
u:ivc:sl |isto:,
i:cc t|c g:ct tiuc oi oluu|us :c c Gu, itc: o:c sicc oi ou: l:ct ws
:cvclcc to t|c ot|c:, uo|ilc clcuc:t, t|c sc, |s c:|lcc t|c u:ivc:sl ctio:
oi o:c |::c| oi civiliztio:, t|t oi Wcstc:: lu:oc t|c: custous, :ot|c:
iit| :c ot|c: :cccs c:ct:tc ll ovc: i: :cgio:s u:til :ow cooucc to
iuuo|ilit, I|c isl:cs oi t|c out| c :c l:cc, l:otcst:t :is|cs, oti:g
|ttc:,, o:c si:glc w:s|i c|:gcs t|c ccsti:, oi |ilc. . . ;luu|olct, 1-0
!!+ u, t::sltio:,
1.
luu|olcts ositivc vicw oi Auc:ic: :tu:c cic :ot :cccss:il, |:i:g |out
ciiic:c:t co:cctio: oi t|c cv:cc oi |isto:, I|c :ccog:itio: oi civc:sit, :c
ciiic:c:cc i: :tu:c :oviccc :ic|c: :c uo:c :u:ccc iugc oi its ug:icc:cc
A:c s uuc| s |c lo:gcc io: t|c t:oics, luu|olct :cvc:t|clcss |clicvcc t|t t|c
cv:ccuc:t oi |:owlccgc s it u:iicstcc itscli i: :o:t|c:: lu:oc :oviccc t|c
civiliztio:l iou:ctio: io: t|c iu:ovcuc:t oi t|c :cst oi t|c wo:lc
luu|olcts visio: oi :tu:c ws, c:io:cc, c:t:glcc i: t|c :ccicuc:ts oi
uocc::it, l:owlccgc |scc o: icts :c scic:tic :ccisio: coulc |c clcvtcc, s |c
ustc:iull, c|icvcc i: .. c :oo.. :c ccc, to : cx:cssio: oi t|c su|liuc, it
coulc cqull, |c i:tcg:tcc i:to t|c :o|cct oi cu:citio: oi |uu:it, i:ou
ig:o::cc :c :c|ucicc :c uscc i: t|c sc:vicc oi i:cccou lut scic:tic |:owlccgc,
i:ccc:cc:tl, oi |is i:tc:tio:s, ws lso t|c :ivilcgcc i:st:uuc:t oi t|c :o:itio:
oi :tu:c io: ot|c: u:oscs
Third variation: ceci nest pas un crocodile
low cocs kcst:cos iccc i:tc:vc:c i: t|is cisutc I|c su:icc oi t|c i:stlltio: is
t|c stgc oi : c:cou:tc: |ctwcc: co:t:sti:g visio:s oi Auc:ic: :tu:c i:ou two
i:uc:til Gc:u: t|i:|c:s :c t|c o||cct t|c, ciscuss I|c ciscussio: ccls wit| two
visio:s oi :tu:c :c t|ci: ciicct o: |ow t|c t:oics :c i:sc:i|cc wit|i: co:ccts oi
civiliztio: i: t|c |iloso|icl :c scic:tic ciscou:sc oi uocc::it, I|c iccc oiic:s
two |:ici :c i:coulctc quottio:s to :c:csc:t co:icti:g visio:s oi t|c lu:oc:
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 4 1
gzc A:c t|c i:coulctc, luost |sc:t iugc, oi t|c o||cct ciscusscc t|c
cu|lcutic :c c:igutic c:ococilc uc:tio:cc i: |ot| tcxts
lt is :ot ossi|lc to co:tcultc t|is i:stlltio: i:ou si:glc ositio:, o: si:glc
st:coi:t Wc co:i:o:t ciiic:c:t gzcs t|t co :ot u:gc to :c oi:t oi
c:cou:tc:, co:cilitio: o: su|ltio: oi t|c ciiic:c:t vicwoi:ts lcgcl :c luu|olct
st:c t t|c suc lcvcl, |ut g:ct cist:cc sc:tcs t|ci: sttcuc:ts I|c c:ococilc
lics t t|c |ottou, loo|cc uo: |, t|c ciscou:scs t|t uc:tio: it |ut :c i:c|lc oi
ccou:ti:g io: its cxistc:cc
I|c ciiic:c:t l:cs oi t|c i:stlltio: stgc t|c tc:sio: |ctwcc: tcxts :c o||cct,
|ctwcc: t|c wo:cs :c t|c :cic:c:t ;sig:ic: :c sig:icc, I|c ciuc:sio:s oi t|c
i:stlltio:, its sclc, lso i:volvc t|c |oc, oi t|c vicwc: ii wc uovc closc to :cc o:c
tcxt, wc losc sig|t oi t|c o||cct :c oi t|c ot|c: tcxt l:ou cist:cc, t|c tcxts :c
luost i:visi|lc, |ut wc c: scc t|c iull cxtc:sio: oi t|c :iul Yct, w|c: wc t|i:|
wc :c g:si:g it, wc c::ot scc t|c c:ococilc
W|t st:cs out is t|c |sc:cc, w|ic| t|c wo:cs oi t|c titlc st:ugglc to ll, u|i:g
it cvc: uo:c clusivc I|c titlc co:ti:s logicl :oositio: luu|olcts c:ococilc
is :ot lcgcls t|t is o:l, t|c cx:cssio: oi :cgtivit, :ow|c:c is it sttcc t|t t|is
c:ococilc is luu|olcts, |ut t|c i:ic:c:cc is ossi|lc lt is guc oi l:gugc :c
i:tc::cttio:s, :c wc :c i:volvcc i: it I|c:c is, i: cu:ious i:o:ic w,, t|i:c
:oositio: t|is is :ot c:ococilc
I|is t|cs us |c| to t|c cc|tcs o: Auc:ic: :tu:c Acco:ci:g to luiio:s
t|co:, oi t|c cist:i|utio: oi :iuls c:oss co:ti:c:ts, c:ococilcs wc:c iou:c i: t|c
lc Wo:lc lut i: t|c Auc:ics, t|c:c wc:c o:l, lligto:s :c ciu:s, :iuls t|t
cwcllcc i: swus :c :ot i: :ivc:s i:cc t|c wtc:s i: t|c :cw Wo:lc, s i:
Aust:li, cic :ot :c ssgc to t|c sc, t|c:c coulc |c :o c:ococilcs luu|olct,
|owcvc:, w|o co:i:o:tcc t|c lcc :c t|c :iuls, coulc scc:ti: t|t t|c:c wc:c
i:cccc c:ococilcs i: t|c :cw Wo:lc
As wc st,cc o:l, o:c :ig|t t lt|:o, l :cg:cttcc uuc| t|t l ws u:|lc to
o|ti: :ccisc i:io:utio: :cltivc to t|c two sccics oi c:ococilcs w|ic| i:icst t|c
ic:cg I|c i:||it:ts givc to o:c oi t|csc :iuls t|c :uc oi c,u:, to t|c
ot|c: t|t oi c:ococilc, o:, s t|c, s, couuo:l, i: i:, oi cococ:ilo I|c,
ssu:cc us t|t t|c lttc: |s uost gilit,, :c ucsu:cs uost i: |cig|t |is s:out is
uo:c oi:tcc t|: t|t oi t|c c,u:, :c t|c, :c :cvc: iou:c togct|c: I|c
c:ococilc . . . is souctiucs itcc: icct lo:g, :c will, it is sic, u:suc u: o:
|o:sc|c|, li|c t|c wolvcs i: lu:oc, w|ilc t|c :iuls cxclusivcl, cllcc c,u:s
t lt|:o :c so tiuic t|t colc |t|c wit|out :c|c:sio: i: lccs w|c:c
t|c, livc i: |:cs. . . Zoologists |vc, |owcvc:, scc:ti:cc t|t t|c:c :c i:
Auc:ic c,u:s o: lligto:s wit| o|tusc s:outs, :c lcgs :ot i:cc:tcc, :c
c:ococilcs wit| oi:tcc s:outs :c i:cc:tcc lcgs, :c i: t|c olc co:ti:c:t, |ot|
c:ococilcs :c gvils ;luu|olct, 1-0 Vol !, | !. -,
I|c i:||it:ts ucc cisti:ctio:s cco:ci:g to ttc:: t|t i:volvcs |ot| t|c
|c|viou: oi t|c :iuls :c t|ci: ow: l: t|c s|:cc c:vi:o:uc:t, t|c sizc :c io:u
oi t|c s:outs, w|ic| i:cictcs w|ct|c: t|is is ciu: o: c:ococilc, is :clcv:t
cisti:ctio:, io: t|c, :c i:ciccs oi w|ct|c: o:c c: |t|c i: t|c :ivc: o: :ot I|c
ciiic:c:t :ucs ciu: cococ:ilo st:c io: :o c:gc:c:gc:
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 4 2
luu|olct :cco:ccc t|csc tcstiuo:ics i: souc cctil, |ut :otc lso |owc:ciull, t|c
o|sc:vtio:s oi t|c locls :c cvlutcc gi:st :ot|c: o:cc: oi t|i:gs, t|t oi scic:tic
txo:ouics I|c :iul is wit|c:w: i:ou t|c sitc oi cxc:ic:cc :c :cic::cc to t|c
uuscuu oi :tu:l |isto:, o: t|c scic:tic cccu,, to t|c o:cc: oi t|i:gs oi t|c
zoologists, w|c:c it c: |c cou:cc wit| :iuls oi siuil: c|:ctc:istics i: ot|c:
lccs oi t|c wo:lc cic:tic txo:ouics c:|lc ctcgo:iztio: cco:ci:g to scguc:ts oi
t|c :iul t|c s:out, t|c lcg, t|c s|i:, t|c c,c I|c, u|c |st:ctio: oi t|c ci:cct :c
livcc co:tct oi colcs wit| :iuls, t|c s|:cc c:vi:o:uc:t, t|c couuo: liic I|c
s:out is :o lo:gc: : i:ccx oi |ow colc icc:tii, t|c :iul io: cc:ti: u:oscs, io:
cxulc, its iccci:g ||its w|ct|c: it c:us|cs to:toisc s|clls ;io: w|ic| it :cccs
|:oc s:tout, o: ctc|cs s| ;io: w|ic| t|i: :c clo:gtcc o:c is uo:c co:vc:ic:t,
A:ot|c: ccolog, is t st|c |c:c, |owcvc:, :c :ot|c: io:u oi :o:itio:, w|ic|
sc:tcs t|c |c|viou: oi t|c :iul i:ou t|c s|:cc c:vi:o:uc:t :c c:|lcs its
isoltio: i: t|c :ctilc |ouscs oi zoologicl :|s I|c, c: |c tu::cc i:to itcus o: list,
o: o||ccts i: collcctio: o: cx|i|itio: :ococilcs, o:cc out oi lcc, |ccouc s,u|ol
oi :ot|c: |st:ctio: t|c t:oics, t|c cxotic, t|c ciiic:c:t
l: kcst:cos i:stlltio:, |owcvc:, t|c clssicto:, c:c|:t oi scic:tic
ciscou:sc is susc:ccc |, t|c uc:c wit|c:wl oi t|c ictu:cs t|t c:|lc clssictio:
All t|t is lcit is t|c cxtc:sio: oi t|c :iul, :oviccc |, luu|olcts :cu:|, w|ic|
:cic:s uo:c to t|c scic:tists :ccuctio: oi :clit, to t|c utc:ils |c c: :c|c:c
t|:oug| i:st:uuc:ts, t|: to t|c :iul lo: t|is is :ot :cccss:il, c:ococilc t ll, :o
lcgs :c :o s:out :c visi|lc low :c wc to |:ow lt is :ot clc: t|t t|c quotcc tcxts
:cic: to t|is :iul i: :ticul: l: ict, t|c:c is :o gu::tcc t|t t|c two :ts
s|ow:, t|c c,c :c t|c til, |clo:g to t|c suc :iul I|c :iul |iccs, cocs :ot
s|ow itscli, cocs :ot :cvcl w|t it is I|c scic:tic ciscou:sc oi ciiic:c:cc is uoc|cc
|, t|c i:ciiic:c:cc oi t|c :iul
I|c i:stlltio: ccco:st:ucts t|c ciscou:scs |, co:i:o:ti:g t|cu wit| t|c :cic:c:t,
|ut it lso qucstio:s t|c ossi|ilit, oi :c:csc:ti:g t|c c:ococilc, ccco:st:ucti:g t|us
its ow: visul l:gugc As i: \g:ittcs i:ti:g cci :cst s u:c ic, t|c
i:sc:itio: c: |c :cc lso s ccci :cst s u: c:ococilc I|c uo:tgc i:ctu:cs t|c
couuo: lcc oi c:cou:tc: |ctwcc: io:us oi :c:csc:ttio: :c t|c o||cct
:c:csc:tcc D:li|c \g:ittcs i:ti:g, |owcvc:, t|c c:ococilc is :ot :c:csc:tcc
usi:g co:vc:tio:l icto:il coccs, w|ic| iu:ctio: o: t|c t:ouc locil oi t|c
:c:csc:ttio: t|i:g t|c lcc oi t|c :c:csc:tcc \g:ittc ccco:st:ucts t|is
co:vc:tio:, u:vcils |ow t|c ictu:c oi t|c ic t|cs t|c lcc oi ic l: kcst:cos
uo:tgc t|c:c is vcuuu oi :cic:c:tilit,, t t|c suc tiuc t|t t|c ciicct oi t|c :cl
is i:tc:sicc |, :ot|c: co:vc:tio:, t|c w, wc t|c uovi:g iugcs to |c u:uccitcc
:c:csc:ttio:s oi t|c :cl t|i:g I|c ui:c :c|ccts t|c i:coulctc :c:csc:ttio: :c
t:ics to ll t|c vcuuu, to ll i: t|c uissi:g |oc, oi t|c c:ococilc, to ssuuc t|t t|is is
c:ococilc, w|c:, i: ict, ll wc c: scc is : c,c :c til oi : :iul
lu:t|c:uo:c, t|c c,c wc co:tcultc is : c,c t|t uovcs, :c it is wtc|i:g itscli
|ci:g loo|cc t I|c uovi:g c,c :cvcls t|t u:c::, t|i:c c,clic c:ococilcs |vc, :c
it loo|s s ii it is wi:|i:g t us, uoc|i:g t|c wo:cs t|t :cic: to it
1o
I|c c:ococilc
sccus to |:ow w|t is |ci:g sic :c c:s to |c i:ciiic:c:t At t|c suc tiuc,
t|oug|, :c t|c:ci: lics t|c t:gic i:o:, oi t|is iccc, t|c c:ococilc is t:cc i: t|c
scc oi :cic:c:ccs t|t loctc it Alt|oug| t|c wo:cs co :ot cc:c w|t it is to |c
c:ococilc, i:ou ll siccs t|c, |vc t|c: osscssio: oi it
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 4 3
Coda: Whose crocodile is it anyway
I|c:c is :ot|c: oi:t oi c:cou:tc: i: t|c uo:tgc t|t oi lcgcl :c luu|olcts gzc
:c t|c |sc:t |oc, oi t|c c:ococilc lcgcls i:sc:itio: oi t|c :cw Wo:lc i: |is
co:st:uctio: oi t|c sc:sc :c uc:i:g oi |isto:,, io: ll t|c cc|t|lc icts, still ccou:ts
io: visio: oi its :tu:c, :csou:ccs :c colcs I|c |isto:, oi t|c Io::ic Zo:c, s wc
c: u:cc:st:c :cci:g lcgcl gi:st t|c g:i:, is t|c |isto:, oi w|t it |s uc:t :c
:c:csc:tcc io: wo:lc|isto:icl colcs I|is |isto:, is :ot w:ittc: s t|t oi t|c
co:qucst, colo:iztio: :c t::sio:utio:s :c |ow t|c, iicct t|c colcs c t|c :c .
t|c Io::ic Zo:c, it is t|c |isto:, oi |ow t|csc :occsscs oi :o:itio:s |ccouc
|isto:icl ict c. lu:oc I|c scic:tic ciscou:sc, o: t|c ot|c: |:c, c:|lcs
cou:tuc:tliztio: oi :clit, i:to cisc:ctc ctcgo:ics t|t |ccouc iu:ctio: oi
:occss oi :o:itio: io: cisti:ctivc io:u oi |:owlccgc lot| io:us oi :o:itio:
will ucct i: t|c si:glc scc oi t::sio:utio: oi t|is :tu:c i:ccc:cc:tl, oi w|ct|c:
it is scc: ositivcl, o: :cgtivcl, i:to couuocitics, t|c :cl, t:uc :o:itio:
I|c |oc, oi t|c c:ococilc, i: its co:sicuous |sc:cc, is :cciscl, w|t is |ci:g
:o:itcc :c t::sio:ucc i:to s|ocs, |:c|gs, u:scs :c |clts, t|c vluc oi
w|ic| is cst|lis|cc i: t|t scc oi uo:st:ous ccuuultio: oi couuocitics, w|ic|
co:stitutcs t|c wclt| oi |ou:gcois socict,, s l:l \:x oi:tcc out i: |is :l,sis oi
t|c couuocit, io:u
1
l: t|c co:tcxt oi t|is :occss, t|c cisutc oi t|c lu:oc:s co:cc::i:g t|c t:uc
:tu:c oi Auc:ic: :tu:c :cccccs i:to scc oi i:tc::cttio:s t|t c::ot co uuc|
to c|:gc t|c c:ucc icts c:ti:l,, t|c:c is lw,s t|c ossi|ilit, oi ciscussi:g |ow
t|csc vicws co:t:i|utc to co:ic: lcgitiuc, to t|c cxloittio: oi t|c Io::ic Zo:c :c
t|c su|o:ci:tio: oi its :clitics to t|c logic oi t|c couuocit, io:u
lt ws lcgcl, |owcvc:, w|o :cui:ccc us t|t
l|iloso|, . . . lw,s coucs too ltc l|iloso|,, s t|c t|oug|t oi t|c wo:lc,
cocs :ot c: u:til :clit, |s coulctcc its io:utivc :occss, :c ucc itscli
:cc, listo:, t|us co::o|o:tcs t|c tcc|i:g oi t|c co:cctio: t|t o:l, i: t|c
utu:it, oi :clit, cocs t|c iccl c: s cou:tc::t to t|c :cl, :c|c:cs t|c
:cl wo:lc i: its su|st:cc, :c s|cs it i:to : i:tcllcctul |i:gcou W|c:
|iloso|, i:ts its g:c, i: g:c,, o:c io:u oi liic |s |ccouc olc, :c |, uc:s oi
g:c, it c::ot |c :c|uvc:tcc, |ut o:l, |:ow: I|c owl oi \i:c:v t|cs its ig|t
o:l, w|c: t|c s|ccs oi :ig|t :c gt|c:i:g ;lcgcl, !001 !0,
l|iloso|, is o:l, tclli:g us |ow to u:cc:st:c w|t |s |c:cc A:c i: t|c csc oi
t|c Io::ic Zo:c, w|c: lcgcls si:it :oc|cs it, t|c sto:, oi cc:cctio: :c
lu:cc: ws olc c:oug| lc qucstio:s t|c |isto:icl :ig|t oi t|c :is| :c t|c
lo:tugucsc :o:itio:s, :c co:ic:s t|c lcgitiuc, oi :o:itio: to ot|c:s, t|c
:o:t|c:: lu:oc: civiliztio: W|ct|c: it u|cs g:ct ciiic:c:cc io: t|c i:||it:ts
to |c colo:izcc i: t|c :uc oi t|c :oss :c t|c wo:c o: i: t|c :uc oi u:|ct
cco:ou, is still oc: to cc|tc
lt is csic: to cst|lis| ci:cct cusl :cltio:s|i |ctwcc: t|c :o:itio: oi
:tu:c :c t|c co:t:i|utio:s oi scic:tic ciscou:sc I|csc |ccouc cxlicit :c visi|lc i:
t|c co:c:ctc i:tc:vc:tio: oi scic:cc i: t|c io:uoi tcc|:olog, to oc:tc t::sio:utio:s
oi :tu:c :c su|o:ci:tc :clitics to its logic l: t|is sc:sc, luu|olcts :olc is ti:tcc |,
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 4 4
t:gic i:o:, lc cclig|tcc i: t:oicl :tu:c li|c :o ot|c: lu:oc: t:vclc: |cio:c |iu
:c c:ctcc si:gul: l:gugc to cou|i:c t|c cxct |:owlccgc oi it wit| t|c cst|ctic
lcsu:c it :ocuccc, co:vi:ccc t|t i: :o ot|c: w, coulc t|c ug:icc:cc |c
u:cc:stooc :c :ccitcc I|is ws, |owcvc:, t|c :cgligi|lc :t oi |is co:t:i|utio:
to |:owlccgc lt ws t|c :ccisio: oi ucsu:cuc:ts ;t|c !.ioot lc:gt| oi t|c
c:ococilc,, loctio:s :c clssictio:s t|t c:|lcc t|c |cst :o:itio: oi t|is :tu:l
wo:lc I|c Gc:u: oct l:s \g:us l:zc:s|c:gc: i: |is Mooc!.o io!!o1 .c |.
u.c., c t.c.. oi:tccl, cx:csscs t|c i:o:, oi luu|olcts ciio:ts
W|t |c|cc: t|c oi:t oi it ll i:sccts, c:cci:g l:ts, to::c:ts, :c |. ..|, o.. c
|. i1.c lt ws:t zi:c, |utc, :u||c:, coc: lc ws s:c c:so:, w|o u:witti:gl,
c::icc wit| |iu t|c ciscsc, cisi:tc:cstcc ucssc:gc: oi t|c lu:cc:i:g, cou:ic:
w|o ws :ot w:c t|t |c |c couc to ::ou:cc t|c ccst:uctio: oi ll t|t w|ic| |c
so lovi:gl, i:tcc, u:til |c ws :i:ct, ,c:s olc, i: |is .. c :oo.. ;1-. .,
I|c:c is st::gc iccli:g oi ccsoltio: i: t|c c:o:uous su:icc oi kcst:cos
i:stlltio: o: t|c c:ococilc lc,o:c t|c i:o:, oi t|c c,c t|t wi:|s, :ot|c: uc:i:g
oi t|c ostuocc:: is stgcc |c:c lt is :ot o:l, c:itiquc oi t|c uct:::tivcs oi
uocc::it,, |c t|c, t|c |isto:icl o:c t|t lcgcl so cu|lcuticll, :c:csc:ts o:
t|c scic:tic o:c, |cst :c:csc:tcc i: ll :csccts |, luu|olct I|c:c is lso |i:t t|t
t|c c:itiquc oi uct:::tivcs u, |vc lcit us wit|out :::tivcs to ccou:t io: t|c
cc:cctio:, t|c lu:cc:i:g, t|c loss lc:c :t i:tc:vc:cs, wit| t|c ccit, to
:c:csc:t silc:cc, |sc:cc :c t|c i:cctc:ui:c, oi |isto:,
FI GURE 3 The eye of the crocodile. q Jose Alejandro Restrepo.
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 4 5
Notes
A: c:lic: vc:sio: oi t|is :ticlc ws :csc:tcc t t|c ::ul suuuc: co:ic:c:cc oi t|c
ou::l oi lti: Auc:ic: ultu:l tucics t li:||cc| ollcgc, D:ivc:sit, oi lo:co:
i: \, !00. lvl,:: goc c:cou:gcc uc to ccvclo t|csc iccs l u vc:,
g:tciul to t|c :tici:ts io: t|ci: vlu|lc co:t:i|utio:s, csccill, c:s
A:cc:u::, o|: l::ius|s :c l:u:o lostccls kos:io ss Duu, |s :oviccc
:icclcss |cl i: t|c :csc:c| oi lcgcl :cqui:cc io: t|is :ticlc Vc:, sccil t|:|s :c
oiic:cc to osc Alc|:c:o kcst:co io: |is gc:c:ous suo:t, |is tic:cc i: :swc:i:g
ll u, qucstio:s, :c io: :ovici:g t|c illust:tio:s
1 I|c |isto:, oi t|csc visio:s oi Auc:ic: :tu:c :c oi ciiic:c:t visio:s oscc |, ot|c:
:o:t|c:: lu:oc:s is cocuuc:tcc i: A:to:cllo Gc:|i ;1-!, lo: t|c :is| :c
:is| Auc:ic: i:tc:vc:tio:s :c c:itiquc oi t|c :o:t|c:: lu:oc:
cistcuologicl iou:ctio:s, scc :iz:cs lsguc:: ;!001,
! Wo:|s oi t|t c:ioc :c, uo:g ot|c:s, Di:io cc vi|cs ;1--!,, A:co:c ;1--+,,
Quisu ;1--.,, :c ll so ccl Qui:c o ;1--, I|:oug|out t|is :ticlc, l usc
lu:oc :c lu:oc:, Auc:ic :c Auc:ic: s ciscu:sivc c:titics s s|cc
|, |ot| lu:oc: :c Auc:ic: ciscou:scs :c :ot s t|c :cl, cxisti:g
:cic:c:ts lo: t|c s|c oi :cc|ilit,, l will :ot usc i:vc:tcc couus to i:cictc t|is
! lccll,, visito:s s|oulc lso ic| |:: i:ou t|c |u:c| :c ct it l:tc:csti:gl,,
|owcvc:, t|c, :c usull, :cluct:t to co so uostl, cuc to t|c ict t|t, |ci:g :t
oi wo:| oi :t, it s|oulc o:l, |c co:tcultcc :c :ot touc|cc I|c u:,
iulictio:s oi t|is :c |c,o:c t|c i:tc:tio: oi t|is css, ;l:io:utio: o|ti:cc i:
c:so:l couuu:ictio: wit| t|c :tist,
+ lt is uc:tio:cc s suc| i: t|c xc.o t :t !- ou:ct ll Quuu :uu|c: .+
l |vc c:w: t|is i:io:utio: i:ou Dc l:g|c ;!000 o,
. kcst:co too| t|c quottio:s i:ou lcctu:c |, t|c olou|i: |iloso|c:, :los l
Gutic::cz, lcgcl , luu|olct Dos visio:s :titctics , co:tcuo::cs cc Auc:ic
cclivc:cci:1--! lo: u|lis|cc vc:sio:, scc :los l Gutic::cz ;!001, l ucsccill,
i:cc|tcc to l:oicsso: Gutic::cz io: |is gc:c:osit, i: :ovici:g t|c tcxt oi t|c lcctu:c
o l: |is ocu ... c |. t.c.. c t!o. +. o1 t.o.. . +....o ;1!o,, t|c l:is|
|iloso|c: Gco:gc lc:|clc, io:uultcc |is visio: oi :c:iss:cc oi :ts :c
scic:ccs i: t|c :cw Wo:lc |scc o: t|is suc :otio: Wcstw:c t|c cou:sc oi
cui:c t|cs its w, I|c iou: :st cts l:cc, st, A it| s|ll closc t|c c:u
wit| t|c c, Iiucs :o|lcst oiis:i:g is t|c lst
I|is wo:| ws :c:i:tcc 11 tiucs |, 1-- :c Dc luws ccic:cc gi:st ttc|s :c
:ciuttio:s oi |is t|cscs, . .. 1. r..|...|. .., ws :c:i:tcc :i:c tiucs cu:i:g t|c
suc c:ioc
cc, io: cxulc, t|c cc|tc |ctwcc: ko|c:t lc::sco:i :c osc| \c::c,
ko|c:t lc::sco:i, lcgcls :cisu A :cl, to \c::c, :c osc| \c::c,,
lxc|:gc lcgcls :cisu A :cso:sc to lc::sco:i, ro1..o! t|.!cc|, 11-
;\,u:c !00!,, !!+, !+
- lc:c l iollow :los l Gutic::cz, lcgcl , luu|olct Dos visio:cs :titctics
, co:tcuo::cs cc Auc:ic, t,csc:it
10 l: lcttc: to t|c l:c:c| scic:tist loussi:gult, w|o ws |out to lcvc io: :cw
G:c:cc, |c s,s l u cctc:ui:cc to lcvc lu:oc to livc i: t|c t:oics oi :is|
Auc:ic, lcc w|c:c l |vc lcit suc| gooc ucuo:ics :c w|osc i:stitutio:s :c so
uuc| i: |:uo:, wit| u, ccsi:c ;luu|olct, 1-0 !00,
L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 4 6
11 cc, io: cxulc, :t cc l koqucttc ;1. ctcu|c:, 1!.,, i: co.o o....oo
;luu|olct, 1-0 !1!1,
1! cc, +!.o1.c 1. uo/c!1 . cc!c/.o i.o.c 1. o 1.o..c ;logot Acccui
olou|i: cc ic:cis lxcts, l sics , :tu:lcs, 1-!, l: |is |ou::c, i:ou
:tgc: u t|c \gclc: kivc:, luu|olct is ui:l, co:cc::cc wit| t|c
o|sc:vtio: oi c:ococilcs
1! cc, i: :ticul:, t..co! :o..o.. ;luu|olct, 1-0, Vol !, | !. --,
1+ l: t|c lcttc:s i:ou I|c :cw Wo:lc to |is |:ot|c: Wil|clu vo: luu|olct, |c
co:st:tl, st:csscs t|c iccli:gs oi |i:css W|ilc uuc| oi it u, |c i:tc:ccc to clu
cow: t|c wo::ics oi |is clcc: |:ot|c: io: |is |clt| :c wcll|ci:g, t|c:c is ssio:
io: t|c lcc i: ll |is w:iti:gs o: t|c Io::ic Zo:c t|t u:cc:li:cs t|c iccli:g cc,
Alcx:cc: vo: luu|olct, co.o o....oo ;luu|olct, 1-0,
1. lt is u:clc: w|t luu|olct u, |c :cic::i:g to l: 1!, closcl, gu:ccc |, t|c
l:itis| :v,, |ilc cccl:cc w: gi:st t|c lc:ulolivi o:iccc:tio: lo: t|c
li|c:tio: |iloso|c: l::iquc Dusscl, t|c cissolutio: oi t|c co:iccc:tio: |:c|s u
t|c |u:c| s wcll, :c wit| t|is |c sccs lso t|c coui:g to : c:c oi t|c c: oi
colo:il |:isti:it, i: t|c co:ti:c:t ;1--! 1!ii, :otc t|t t|is suc ,c:,
D:wi: ws :oc|i:g Vl:iso, i: |ou::c, t|t owcc uuc| oi its i:si:tio: to
luu|olcts t..co! :o..o..
1o kcst:co s,s, :cg:ci:g t|c c,c l wc:t t|is tiuc i: sc:c| oi luu|olcts c:ococilc
:c iou:c it i: scui|:co:cc :u:sc:, i: :uc: cc Aicl l wl|cc t|:oug|
clc wit| g:ss u to u, wist :c, succc:l,, l iou:c t|c c:ococilc, t ui:iuuu
cist:cc, |solutcl, still, :tcciluvi:, :c wc |c o:l, ou: cuc: l st:tcc to lu
:c ctu:cc t|is closcu oi its c,c, w|ic| |s t|i:c c,clic, :c it oc:s :c closcs it
vc:, slowl, s ii it wc:c wi:|i:g t us l li|cc t|c i:o:, vc:, uuc|, |ccusc, gi:st
t|is ciscussio: oi t|c lu:oc:s, t|c iussivc c:ococilc |ust wi:|s Quotcc i: kucc
l|:co ;!00+ + u, t::sltio:,
1 \:x ;1-! !1, l: t|c l:glis| vc:sio:, t|is oc:i:g sttcuc:t oi \:xs c...o. c
tc!...o! i.cc, is :c:cc:cc t|us I|c wclt| oi |ou:gcois socict,, t :st sig|t,
:csc:ts itscli s : ... ccuuultio: oi couuocitics, its u:it |ci:g si:glc
couuocit,, t::slti:g t|c wo:c u:gc|cuc: io: iuuc:sc l :cic: to :ccovc: t|c
ot|c: sc:sc oi t|c wo:c, uo:st:ous, w|ic| st:cs i: :cltio:s|i wit| ot|c: wo:cs
\:x uscs w|c: :cic::i:g to couuocitics, suc| s t|ci: ,...co :c t|c oo..
qulitics :c, oi cou:sc, t|c ..|. c |. .cc1., c. I|c:c is i:tc:t i: t|c l:gugc
to co:vc, t|c u:c::, :cltio:s|i wc cst|lis| wit| couuocitics, t|c :occss |,
w|ic| t|c, cot io:u t|t c:|lcs us to cisuiss w|t lics |c|i:c t|ci: :ocuctio:
References
lc::sco:i, ko|c:t !00! lcgcls :cisu A :cl, to \c::c, ro1..o! t|.!cc|, 11-
;\,u:c, !!+
luiio:, Gco:gcs louis lclc:c, outc cc 11 :oo.o! u.c., c...o! o1 to...o!o.,
j1+-1o t::sltcc |, Williu ucllic, vols lci:|u:g| W t:|: :c
I ccll
luiio:, Gco:gcs louis lclc:c, outc cc 1 Dcs coqucs cc l :tu:c l: u.c...
oo..!!., . . .o!. . o...o!.. .., ulcuc:t Vol V l:is lu:iuc:ics :o,lcs, 1
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 4 7
:iz:cs lsguc::, o:gc !001 uc c P... |. u.c., c |. :. Pc.!1 u.c...,
i..c!c.., o1 i1.... . |. i.|..|c.o., +!o.. Pc.!1 t:io:c t:io:c
D:ivc:sit, l:css
Dc l:g|c, lcuo:c !000 iooo ...., . |. M.11!. io (jc.1o, i,, oo) kouc
llGkll:llAl
Dc luw, o::clius 1o r..|...|. t|.!cc|.o. o. !. +. ...o., co M. c... .. ..o
co. .... o !|.c... 1. !..... |oo.., ! vols Dcc|c: lu:iucu: cu koi
Dusscl, l::iquc 1--! u.c..o 1. !o i!..o . +. ...o to.o M.1.c .!..c 1. .c!c.o. ,
!./..o..c (:.v2:vv2) \c:ic \u:co :cg:olsquil \isio:l
l:zc:s|c:gc:, l:s \g:us 1-. Avl ;1o- |is 1.-, l: Mooc!.o :../.o11....
io!!o1. oo 1.. c..|..|. 1. tc..|.. l::|iu:t u \i: u|:|u
l:zc:s|c:gc:, l:s \g:us !00+ Dc: \:: gc|t stcts uis G:zc l:tc:vicw wit| l:s
\g:us l:zc:s|c:gc: .. :...!, :: ! ;ctcu|c:,
l|i:, o|::cs 1-! 1.. o1 |. o|.. uc +|.cc!c, c..o. . o/.. :cw Yo:|
oluu|i D:ivc:sit, l:css
loucult, \ic|cl 1-! 1|. . c o t.., wit| illust:tio:s :c lcttc:s |, kc:c \g:ittc,
t::sltcc :c ccitcc |, ucs l:|:css lc:|clc, D:ivc:sit, oi liio::i l:css
Gc:|i, A:to:cllo 1-! 1|. .o. c |. :. Pc.!1 1|. u.c., c o tc!..., ::v
t::sltcc |, c:cu, \o,lc litts|u:g| D:ivc:sit, oi litts|u:g| l:css
Gutic::cz, :los l 1--! lcgcl , luu|olct Dos visio:s :titctics , co:tcuo::cs cc
Auc:ic I,csc:it oi lcctu:c cclivc:cc t t|c li|liotcc luis A:gcl A::go,
logot
Gutic::cz, :los l !001 lcgcl , luu|olct cos visio:cs co:tcuo::cs , oucsts cc
l :clicc uc:ic: l: cc....c. 1. !o .co.o +.c.o..c. ...1...!.o..o,
ccitcc |, lclic st:cc :c \t|is Vollct logot lcicio:cs D:i:ccs
lcgcl, G W l 1-1 i.c1o..c c 1|. t|.!cc|, c u.c.,, wit| : c:cix i:ou 1|.
t|.!cc|, c r.| t::sltcc |, lco kuc| l:ci:olis :c u|:icgc lc|ctt
lu|lis|i:g ou:,
lcgcl, G W l !001 t|.!cc|, c r.|, t::sltcc |, W D,cc :t:io ltoc|c
loo|s
luu|olct, Alcx:cc: vo: 1o0 i.... c +!.o1.. c uo/c!1 o o.|o. c i. oo
1. jo|.. :2 /. :, ccitcc |, lucuill Assi:g lcizig lA l:oc||us
luu|olct, Alcx:cc: vo: 1-0 co.o o....oo, t::sltcc |, \:t I:|, ccitcc |,
|:lcs \i:guct :cs li|liotcc A,cuc|o
luu|olct, Alcx:cc: vo: 10 +..|. 1.. :oo., . ...|o..|. i.!oo..o.
Iu|i:gc: ott 10 jl:glis| t::sltio: ;11+, .. c :oo.. o. cc.!o.c
c |. :o/!.. t|.c.o c c..o.c, .| :..... i!!o.o.c, t::sltcc |, l ttc
:c lc::, G lo|:, !:c cc: lo:co: lo|:, 1.0
luu|olct, Alcx:cc: vo: 1-0 t..co! :o..o.. c 1.o.! c |. io.c..o! r..c c
+....o o.. |. 1.o. :vv:. /, +!.o1.. c uo/c!1 o1 +.. ic!o1,
t::sltcc :c ccitcc |, Iousi: koss, ! vols lo:co: Gco:gc lcll s o:s
luu|olct, Alcx:cc: vo: 1-! +!.o1.c 1. uo/c!1 . cc!c/.o i.o.c 1. o 1.o..c
logot Acccui olou|i: cc ic:cis lxcts, l sics , :tu:lcs
ciic:so:, I|ous 1-! :c. c |. :o. c ....o j1, ccitcc wit| i:t:ocuctio: :c
:otcs |, Williu lccc: |cl lill :c lo:co: D:ivc:sit, oi :o:t| :oli:
l:css
\:x, l:l 1-! Zo. x...| 1.. c!...|. o

|cc.. j1.- lc:li: Dictz Vc:lg

L AT I N AME RI CAN CUL T URAL S T UDI E S 2 4 8
\c::c,, osc| !00! lxc|:gc lcgcls :cisu A :cso:sc to lc::sco:i ro1..o!
t|.!cc|, 11- ;\,u:c, !+
kcst:co, osc Alc|:c:o 1-- Moo o.o1..o.o +o. o.o oo ...o..c logot
olcultu:
kucc l|:co, :tigo :::tivs |isto:ics c iugc:cs ol tics c: l o|: cc osc
Alc|:c:o kcst:co ;!+ \:c| !00+, Avil|lc i:ou |ttwwwl|lo:g
|lvi:tultcsiscoliutu:o|osc:cst|tu, l:Ilk:lI
Erna von der Walde is an independent researcher. She teaches literature, lm and
history and has published on Colombias violence and the historical and literary
discourse of the nation.
CE CI N E S T P AS UN CROCODI L E 2 4 9