Summary Of Jamaica Letter By Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar’s self-exile to Jamaica caused him to write a letter to the governor of Jamaica expressing his thoughts on the then current condition of Latin America and how he hopes to fix it. Bolivar strongly believed in the ideas of the enlightenment and uses them to justify his claims of action that he hopes to carry out in the continent. In the Jamaica Letter, Bolivar illustrates his compassion for a revolution and liberation from Spain, but also his doubts and pessimistic viewpoint on uniting Latin America. Through a South American Revolution fueled by the rage of the Spanish creoles and Americanos, Bolivar believes that South America can sever its tie to Spain and become fully independent as well as self-governable in a republic; however, Bolivar contradicts himself because he does not fully live up to the

In response to the Jamaican governor’s hopeful wishes for Bolivar’s revolution, Bolivar says, “I take this hope as a prediction… because the destiny of [South] America has been irrevocably decided” in his Jamaica letter. Bolivar clearly demonstrates his hopes for South America and is very cocksure about liberating South America. He believes that the governor’s hopes are actually a “prediction” and that South America’s destiny has been “irrevocably decided.” Bolivar clearly demonstrates that he does not think or “hope” the revolution will be successful but knows that “success will crown [his] efforts.” Bolivar continues to use strong metaphors to describe South America’s detachment from Spain. Bolivar says that “there is nothing we have not suffered at the hands of that unnatural stepmother-Spain.” Bolivar sounds like a rebellious child calling Spain an “unnatural stepmother” which allows the reader to understand that Bolivar feels as if South America should not have a connection with Spain at all, demonstrating his strong desire for