The Indians by Pablo Neruda (1957)
The poem is a lament for the indigenous people of Chile who were exploited and oppressed by Spanish colonizers. It describes their suffering, poverty, and cultural erasure, as well as the speaker's sense of guilt and responsibility towards them. The poem also touches on the theme of historical memory and the importance of remembering the past in order to learn from it.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1957 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Social Commentary · 584 words
First lines
The Indian fled from his skin to the depths of ancient immensity from which he rose one day like the islands: defeated, he turned into invisible atmosphere, kept expanding in the earth, pouring his secret sign over the sand.
He who spent the moon and combed the world's mysterious solitude, he who didn't transpire without rising up in lofty air-crowned stones, he who endured like celestial light beneath his forest's magnitude, was suddenly worn threadbare, transformed into wrinkles, his torrential towers demolished, and he received his packet of rags.
What this Textopian page supports
The Indians is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1957 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: 1957 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Social Commentary, Cultural, Existential
- Length: 584 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in a poetic style, utilizing vivid imagery and metaphor to convey deep emotional and cultural themes.
- Historical — The poem addresses the historical oppression and suffering of Indigenous peoples, reflecting on their past and the impact of colonization.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal structures and injustices faced by Indigenous populations, highlighting themes of exploitation and loss.
- Cultural — The work explores the cultural identity and heritage of Indigenous peoples, emphasizing their connection to the land and nature.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Chilean Poetry · Indigenous Peoples · Colonialism · Imperialism · Social Justice · Politics · History · Cultural Heritage · Identity · Nationality
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