Analysis of Dona Barbara

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Dona Barbara is a 1943 Mexican film directed by Fernando de Funters the film is based on Romulo Gallegos 1920 novel of the same name. While the film was produced in Mexico, the story takes place on Los Llanos de Aruca Vally Venezuela (Aruca Vally lowlands). Important natural resources themes enforced on this movie are the use of The Orinoco River as means of transportation and communication and the use of agrarian activities as the way to make a profit.

Doña Barbara a female caudillo, is the owner and ruler of El Miedo, a hacienda in Aruca Vally Venezuela as well the low lands surrounding the Orinoco river. Barbara is known as the man-devourer as she uses men to enrich herself and then disposes them, this was the case of Lorenzo Barquero a properly owner whom she marry to take possession of his land; and then left him to become an alcoholic. Doña Barbara is known and respected in the land she is said to be as fierce and strong as any man; along with her kinsmen and the corrupted authorizes she has been stealing cattle and land from Altamira a neighborhood hacienda. The climax of the story is reached when Santos Luzardo; a well manner lawyer and the rightful owner of Alatamira arrives to Aruca Vally to address Altamira’s mismanage and ongoing financial problems. The peones (working man) in Altamira do not believe Santos will be a match for Dona Barbara corrupted actions, however, as true llaneros they swear loyalty to their patron (boss). Barbara and Lorenzo had a daughter Marizela, who reminds Barbara of herself before she was raped. This is the reason why she has left the girl penniless living on a hut with her alcoholic father as punishments for not been strong like her. Upon his arrival Santos takes Lorenzo and his daughter t...

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...e role of women but also keep alive the struggle between civilization and barbarism during the begging of the oil era and the political criticism to Venezuela’s president Juan Vicente Gomes (1857 – 1935) regime. Romulo and De Fuentes used themes such as Mr. Danger, Coronel Pernalete and Doña Barbara to describe his presidency. Coronel Pernalete, and specifically the scene of dotting the H to have them sound makes reference to Gomez illiteracy; a man who rose to power due to his ample knowledge of military strategies. Doña Barbara and Mr. Danger represent Gomes mismanage of the country; on one side, Mr. Danger serves as an example of the US domination in Latin America while Dona Barbara on the other makes reference to his violent way of governing and the fact that, during his presidency, a significant percent of Venezuela’s wealth ended up on his hand and Wall Street.

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