Ariel (1922)

Ariel is a philosophical essay written by the Uruguayan writer Jose Enrique Rodo and published in 1922. The book is divided into three parts and explores the role of art and culture in shaping the identity of Latin America. In the first part, Rodo introduces the character of Ariel, a symbol of the idealistic, creative spirit of Latin America. He contrasts Ariel with Caliban, a symbol of materialism and utilitarianism, which Rodo sees as a threat to Latin American culture. In the second part, Rodo discusses the importance of education and intellectualism in preserving the cultural heritage of Latin America. He argues that the pursuit of knowledge and beauty is essential to the development of a strong and vibrant society. In the final part, Rodo discusses the relationship between Latin America and Europe, arguing that Latin America should not blindly follow European models but should instead create its own unique culture. Overall, Ariel is a passionate defense of Latin American culture and a call to arms for its preservation and development.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.