Importance of Community in El Tonto Del Barrio Essay -- Tonto Del Barr

Importance of Community in El Tonto Del Barrio The title of Jose Armas story, El Tonto Del Barrio (or The Barrio Dummy), may be interpreted two different ways. The first interpretation is literal and applies to the simple-minded Romero, who with the help of his community is able to function in the real earth. The second interpretation is ironic it applies to the Harvard-bound Seferino, who though he means well is so lacking in experience that he turns Romeros world upside down and nearly gets him committed to an institution. Many readers see the second interpretation as the more interesting, but to see the story in this fair is to overlook a very important element. This element is the significant role of the community that is the setting for this story. If we consider the importance of the community, Romero is justly the title mention. Romero gives the community character through his positive attitude, and he is a great role model to the children in terms of his work ethic. In r eturn, the neighbors treat Romero with kindness, loyalty, and respect. In a no-hit community, everyone must work unitedly and help one another. Sometimes there are people in the community who seem strange to outsiders. They may as yet seem strange to the community members. The more peculiar residents may be ridiculed and put down, but not in Romeros communityhe is two respected and well-treated, and in return he treats members of the community with consideration. In this way Romeros situation demands the best of his community, and in demanding their best, he makes the community stronger. Although Romero was not sooner normal, he has a mature attitude towards his job, and he always made sure his work was done thoroughly R... ... everyone is taught to help anyone who needs it and to respect everyone, no matter how odd he or she seems. These values come through strongly in Armas story. Overall, the reader can see that this community does band together to support Romero. Romero is a bit touched, but he manages to teach everyone in the town some important lessons. He exemplifies a work ethic that is likely stronger than any elses in the community. Despite his affliction, Romero is always cheerful and full of vitality. Even though he is the village idiot by conventional definition, he is a blessing to this barrio. Works Cited Armas, Jose. El Tonto Del Barrio. Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. NY HarperCollins, 1991. 1137-1142. Works Consulted Armas, Jose. Cuban Consciousness in Literature 1923-1974. Miami, Florida Ediciones Universal, 1978.