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Chilean History And Its Role In “House Of The Spirits” Amos Leager
Namely: 9/15/05
Salvador Allende’s Final Hour Per. 1
House Of The Spirits draws heavily on historical events during its description of the military coup that occurred Sept. 11th, 1973. I aim to compare the book’s telling of the bombing of the presidential palace, the president’s steadfastness, and his eventual demise with the way events transpired in real life.
Cleverly, Isabel Allende uses Jaime as our eyes into the chaos of the palace, so we see no more when he is removed. Also, under the umbrella of fiction, certain events could have been fabricated even while Jaime bore witness. I have confirmed, however, that the president did indeed refuse to be flown away from the palace to safety, maintaining that he would “not surrender, nor resign.” He delivered a last address to his country, shortly thereafter helmeting himself, shouldering an assault rifle (not a bazooka, sadly) and leaving his office to organize the defense of the palace alongside his faithful compañeros. Though my primary source, which told us of his actions up to the very end of his life, claims that he shot himself with a rifle after dismissing his last remaining supporters, I don’t believe that any concrete evidence can be given as to the true cause of his death. The book implies that he died in a more honorable way, though the newly appointed authorities adhered to the suicide story. Maybe he shot himself to deny the attackers the satisfaction of killing him, maybe he went down in a hail of gunfire, taking as many soldiers with him as he could. No-one knows. But overall, it appears as if Isabel did not invent her uncle’s bravery and dedication. Since many escaped the palace alive, it seems inevitable that the truth would out.
Bibliography:
http://www.geocities.com/educhile_1970s/September11.html
Author: Ewin Martínez Torre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile#History
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDallende.htm
notes
A few minutes after 9:00 AM -through a telephone link with Magallanes Radio, the only pro-government station that had not been silenced by military raids that morning- Allende addressed the nation once again.(10) "This will surely be the last time I speak to you," he said. "Magallanes Radio will be silenced, and the reassuring tone of my voice will not reach you. It doesn't matter. You will continue hearing it. I will always be with you. At the least, your memory of me will be that of a man who was loyal to the country...I have faith in Chile and its destiny. Other people will be able to transcend this sad and bitter moment, when treason tries to force itself upon us...I'm sure that my sacrifice will not be in vain,...it will be a moral lesson that will punish the felony, cowardice, and treason [of the Armed Forces]."(11)
Shortly thereafter, the defenders of La Moneda saw the first tanks making their approach. Belonging to the Second Armored Regiment and under the command of Army General Javier Palacios, they took up positions around the Plaza de la Constitución and,(12) while Air Force jets flew overhead, trained their guns on the Presidential palace. Inside, an aide was on the telephone, trying to negotiate with the military. Rebuffed, he turned to Allende with the message: "In two minutes, we will be attacked." Allende immediately snatched up his assault rifle, donned a combat helmet, and left his office to organize the resistance inside the building. At that moment, the first shots were heard.(13)
http://www.geocities.com/educhile_1970s/September11.html
Ewin Martínez Torre
After the air raids, Palacios renewed the ground attack. The relentless firing of the tanks was deafening, as explosions pulverized the remains of the building and fed the flames.(21) Then a group of twenty soldiers broke open the palace door facing Morandé Street and flushed out several people while the shooting in the Plaza diminished. Allende was still on the second floor with a few companions. When he learned that the first floor had been taken, he ordered everyone out of the building: "Everybody leave your weapons and go down. I will be the last one."(22) As the others made their way out of the palace, Allende entered Independence Hall. There the President sat down, placed his assault rifle between his legs, and set its muzzle under his chin. Two shots ended the life of the Constitutional President of Chile.(23)
A military coup supported by the CIA overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. As the armed forces bombarded the presidential palace (Palacio de La Moneda), Allende reportedly committed suicide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile#History
On 11th September, 1973, a military coup removed Allende's government from power. Salvador Allende died in the fighting in the presidential palace in Santiago. General Augusto Pinochet replaced Allende as president.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDallende.htm
Namely: 9/15/05
Salvador Allende’s Final Hour Per. 1
House Of The Spirits draws heavily on historical events during its description of the military coup that occurred Sept. 11th, 1973. I aim to compare the book’s telling of the bombing of the presidential palace, the president’s steadfastness, and his eventual demise with the way events transpired in real life.
Cleverly, Isabel Allende uses Jaime as our eyes into the chaos of the palace, so we see no more when he is removed. Also, under the umbrella of fiction, certain events could have been fabricated even while Jaime bore witness. I have confirmed, however, that the president did indeed refuse to be flown away from the palace to safety, maintaining that he would “not surrender, nor resign.” He delivered a last address to his country, shortly thereafter helmeting himself, shouldering an assault rifle (not a bazooka, sadly) and leaving his office to organize the defense of the palace alongside his faithful compañeros. Though my primary source, which told us of his actions up to the very end of his life, claims that he shot himself with a rifle after dismissing his last remaining supporters, I don’t believe that any concrete evidence can be given as to the true cause of his death. The book implies that he died in a more honorable way, though the newly appointed authorities adhered to the suicide story. Maybe he shot himself to deny the attackers the satisfaction of killing him, maybe he went down in a hail of gunfire, taking as many soldiers with him as he could. No-one knows. But overall, it appears as if Isabel did not invent her uncle’s bravery and dedication. Since many escaped the palace alive, it seems inevitable that the truth would out.
Bibliography:
http://www.geocities.com/educhile_1970s/September11.html
Author: Ewin Martínez Torre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile#History
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDallende.htm
notes
A few minutes after 9:00 AM -through a telephone link with Magallanes Radio, the only pro-government station that had not been silenced by military raids that morning- Allende addressed the nation once again.(10) "This will surely be the last time I speak to you," he said. "Magallanes Radio will be silenced, and the reassuring tone of my voice will not reach you. It doesn't matter. You will continue hearing it. I will always be with you. At the least, your memory of me will be that of a man who was loyal to the country...I have faith in Chile and its destiny. Other people will be able to transcend this sad and bitter moment, when treason tries to force itself upon us...I'm sure that my sacrifice will not be in vain,...it will be a moral lesson that will punish the felony, cowardice, and treason [of the Armed Forces]."(11)
Shortly thereafter, the defenders of La Moneda saw the first tanks making their approach. Belonging to the Second Armored Regiment and under the command of Army General Javier Palacios, they took up positions around the Plaza de la Constitución and,(12) while Air Force jets flew overhead, trained their guns on the Presidential palace. Inside, an aide was on the telephone, trying to negotiate with the military. Rebuffed, he turned to Allende with the message: "In two minutes, we will be attacked." Allende immediately snatched up his assault rifle, donned a combat helmet, and left his office to organize the resistance inside the building. At that moment, the first shots were heard.(13)
http://www.geocities.com/educhile_1970s/September11.html
Ewin Martínez Torre
After the air raids, Palacios renewed the ground attack. The relentless firing of the tanks was deafening, as explosions pulverized the remains of the building and fed the flames.(21) Then a group of twenty soldiers broke open the palace door facing Morandé Street and flushed out several people while the shooting in the Plaza diminished. Allende was still on the second floor with a few companions. When he learned that the first floor had been taken, he ordered everyone out of the building: "Everybody leave your weapons and go down. I will be the last one."(22) As the others made their way out of the palace, Allende entered Independence Hall. There the President sat down, placed his assault rifle between his legs, and set its muzzle under his chin. Two shots ended the life of the Constitutional President of Chile.(23)
A military coup supported by the CIA overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. As the armed forces bombarded the presidential palace (Palacio de La Moneda), Allende reportedly committed suicide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile#History
On 11th September, 1973, a military coup removed Allende's government from power. Salvador Allende died in the fighting in the presidential palace in Santiago. General Augusto Pinochet replaced Allende as president.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDallende.htm