War and its effects
The book, Reasons of State is about an unnamed Caribbean country that is politically unstable. The president of the country is the main character. War takes place in the country several times. These wars are caused by rebels who are against the current government’s way of ruling. The first rebellion in the book was cause by a gentleman known as Atauflo Galvan who was once a close friend of the president. He was captured and executed by a firing squad and his body thrown into the sea. General Beccera also lead a rebellion with the help of university students. He was a university professor. In the later stages of the novel, he prevails and becomes the president. Miguel was a sculptor who also headed a rebellion and was killed together with some of his followers. General Hoffman was the minister of war of the country and he also betrayed his ally, the president and caused war because the country was being ruled unconstitutionally.
The effects of war that are brought out by the narrators are the loss of human life for the president and his armies executed the people who rebelled. Destruction of property such as the church of the Divine Shepherdess that was shot at and as a result some items in it were destroyed. Displacement of people as they seek to find a peaceful abode and withdrawal of support of the country by foreign governments.
Economic activities
The novel illustrates various economic activities that were carried out by the characters of the novel. These are mining in the country’s mines that include silver mines, farming of various crops including fruit that were then sold to The United Fruit Company that was a foreign held business. Transportation was also an economic activity carried by people who owned boats and would transport people and items across the sea. Some people engaged in fishing whereas others were traders of goods in the country.
The role of women
The role of women is brought out by various female characters in the book. The role of women in the book is companionship, care giving and entertaining. Mayorala was the servant of the head of state. She polished his boots and arranged his military uniform. Other times, she would give the president sexual pleasure. Women as portrayed as entertainers in brothels and festivals where they danced to bamba, jarabe and marinera. The deceased wife of the president is portrayed as a caregiver for she raised her children and took care of them.
