Brother Bartolomé de Las Casas
The poem is a tribute to the Spanish Dominican friar who was a passionate advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples during the colonization of the Americas. It explores the themes of colonialism, oppression, and social justice, highlighting the atrocities committed against native populations by European colonizers. The poem also touches on the idea of historical memory and the importance of remembering and learning from past injustices.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1954 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Political Literature · 646 words
First lines
On the way home from the union, at night, exhausted in the cold
May fog (in the grinding daily struggle, winter rain dripping from the eaves, the dull throb of constant suffering), one thinks about this masked resurrection, astute, corrupt, of the enslaver, of enslavement, and when grief climbs up to the lock to enter with you, an ancient light shines forth, smooth and hard as metal, like a buried star.
What this Textopian page supports
Brother Bartolomé de Las Casas is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1954 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Pablo Neruda
- Date: 1954 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Political Literature, Philosophical Literature, Biographical Literature
- Length: 646 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs rich imagery, metaphor, and lyrical language characteristic of poetry.
- Historical Fiction — It reflects on historical figures and events, particularly the life and impact of Bartolomé de Las Casas.
- Political Literature — The themes address social justice, colonialism, and the struggle against oppression.
- Philosophical Literature — It explores deep existential themes and moral questions regarding humanity and suffering.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Chilean Poetry · Historical Figure · Biographical · Catholic Church · Colonialism · Spanish Colonization · Indigenous Peoples · Social Justice · Human Rights · Religion
More by Pablo Neruda
- Body of a Woman (1959)
- The Light Wraps You (1954)
- Ah Vastness of Pines (1975)
- The Morning Is Full (1954)
- So That You Will Hear Me (1976)
- I Remember You As You Were (1952)
- Leaning Into The Afternoons Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets towards your oceanic eyes (1954)
- White Bee (1974)
- All works by Pablo Neruda