Anna in The Tropics

Anna in the Tropics presents differing perspectives on how to approach life. One of those approaches is through violence. In the openeing scene of the story, we are introduced to the game of cockfighting. In the game, victory goes to the opponent who is the fastest, strongest and smartest. These are elements that Cheche, a man who is cautious but also believes that if approaching a problem with reason doesn't work, then power and violence will surely get the job done. This line of behaior is evidenced when Cheche grabs Marela and forces her to him after rejecting his looks and attempts to seduce her. Further examples are when Cheche asserts his power over reason when he kills the lector whom he believes hsi iews are practical in their modern age. Howeer, these actions seem to be born of failure because they can be seen as a reaction to failing to mechanize the factory.

Adversely, the characters of Ofelia and Santiago seem to hold a more empathetic view. They oppose the mechanization of the factory because the process would take away workers jobs. Instead of agreeing with a majority of the people at the factory they decide to invest in a new line of cigars they plan to strategically market and sell. Another example of the power of reson in the story comes during a piotal moment when the workers are trying to decide whether or not to install machinery in the factory. Ofelia and Juan Julian insist that they take the democratic process by putting it to vote. These clashes with Cheche's assertion of power as the two use judgment and reason to come to a solution.

I felt that this story was reaffirming in the fact that it was about people whom decide to use thinking over intimidating uses of power. The power of the mind is emphasized in the story with positive consequences while Cheche, whom believed that through displays of power you can achieve any agenda, was driven to madness at the refusal of his plans. I identified instead with Ofelia whom sought the most logical solution that would help her fellow workers. I would agree with Cheche's view to the extent that the workers need modern technology to work with so they can compete and be more efficient. That to me is sound reasoning, but not at the expense of other people whom were replaced by machines.