Belisa Crepusculario's Two Words

Being able to communicate is the most influential skill humans have developed in their lifetime. When used properly, words can be utilized to motivate people towards something that they need and want in their life. In the story Two Words by Isabel Allende, Belisa Crepusculario gives the Colonel two words that changes his life for the better. These two words were, Ignorance Dies. Meaning that a person cannot spend their entire life in a state of being unaware of their impact on others and themselves. Prior to meeting Belisa, the Colonel had become desensitized by what he witnessed in war torn areas. Despite the grave experiences he endured during the war, the Colonel saw these events as, “minor inconveniences.” The Colonel is a leader, which

means he needs to be seen as resilient man so that his subordinates will follow him. In accomplishing this objective, he conformed to his society’s expectations of what a man should be; causing him to block out all emotions that may make him seem weak.

In return, his men followed his leadership. This was seen by how El Mulato treated the Colonel. Even though El Mulato was a threatening man, Belisa realized that the Colonel had more authority when she was first brought to him and noticed that, “…the way his gigantic aide addressed him with such humility that he must have a very menacing expression.” Implying that the Colonel must have intimidating characteristics as well. In the war, the Colonel had become accustomed to violence and he never learned of any other way to become powerful. As a result, he only knew of using force to gain something he wanted. This is how he became an ignorant man. Unknowingly, the Colonel was creating the terror he saw in people’s eyes because, when they looked at him they did not see a caring and compassionate man. All that the Colonel did know is that he no longer wanted people to fear him. When Belisa told him these words, the Colonel realized that he could not continue to live his life this way. The Colonel now understood that he needs to prevent his ignorance and learn to be a new man, one who can find power through words instead of

violence. All in all, when Belisa told the Colonel these two words, she helped him realize how he would need to attain the change he desired. To never forget the meaning behind these words, the Colonel would keep them close to him so that he does not ever overlook their impact on him.
As people grow older, they begin to find ways of communicating in different ways.

Instead of explaining messages through words, they learn other forms of expression. One of these forms is art. When Belisa told the Colonel these two words, they brought him to his desired journey of change. In order to have the meaning of the two words by him at all times, the Colonel chose to get the two words and an image tattooed on him. This image shows a tombstone with a skeleton in a suit, and the two words Ignorance Dies below. It is also in dark colours because they are associated with power. The Colonel has an aspiration to be accepted, which he attempted to gain through power in the military. When this did not work, he approached Belisa to help him become President. The Colonel new that this was a position of power that he would be recognized for. However, in order to earn this power, he would need to change so that people no longer feared him. In regards to the image, the tombstone and skeleton represent death, while the suit represents him still being alive. This is because the Colonel is still alive, but his ignorance is dying. The skeleton represents the painful part of death. After the Colonel received Belisa’s two words, El Mulato noticed that the Colonel was as miserable as a man about to die. Death is a painful part of life that is not easy to accept. This is similar to how difficult it was for the Colonel to realize that he needed to change the part of himself that he felt

so comfortable with. The grave stone represents the acceptance of death. When someone dies, they are buried by their loved ones to bring about closure. The tombstone shows that now that the Colonel is no longer an ignorant man, he can finally find peace in his life. The Colonel had finally found the change he wanted, and was able to become a new man. This was seen at the end of the story, when Belisa finally saw the Colonel’s eyes soften. In essence, the Colonel’s tattoo represents his journey of change, which was filled with pain, doubt, and acceptance.