How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Even Decoud himself seemed to feel that this was as much as he could expect of having her to himself till—till the revolution was over and he could carry her off to Europe, away from the endlessness of civil strife, whose folly seemed even harder to bear than its ignominy. After one Montero there would be another, the lawlessness of a populace of all colours and races, barbarism, irremediable tyranny. As the great Liberator Bolivar had said in the bitterness of his spirit, "America is ungovernable. Those who worked for her independence have ploughed the sea." (II.5.77)
Yikes. Apparently now Martin is arguing that the presence of all races in Costaguana has opened the door for "irremediable tyranny." We're not sure what racial profile would be ideal for him (only Europeans, perhaps?), but he certainly seems to associate certain racial demographics with barbarity and political problems.
Quote #8
It was known that Father Corbelán had come out of the wilds to advocate the sacred rights of the Church with the same fanatical fearlessness with which he had gone preaching to bloodthirsty savages, devoid of human compassion or worship of any kind. Rumours of legendary proportions told of his successes as a missionary beyond the eye of Christian men. He had baptized whole nations of Indians, living with them like a savage himself. It was related that the padre used to ride with his Indians for days, half naked, carrying a bullock-hide shield, and, no doubt, a long lance, too—who knows? That he had wandered clothed in skins, seeking for proselytes somewhere near the snow line of the Cordillera. Of these exploits Padre Corbelán himself was never known to talk. But he made no secret of his opinion that the politicians of Sta. Marta had harder hearts and more corrupt minds than the heathen to whom he had carried the word of God. (II.5.104)
This moment is a little more complicated than some of the other references to indigenous Costaguaneros. Okay, yes, the narrator refers to these individuals as "bloodthirsty savages," which is in keeping with the generally racist tone of other mentions. That said, we have to mention that Father Corbelán seemed to find politicians more objectionable than heathens. So, perhaps this moment is actually trying to undermine the notion that indigenous peoples are savage?
Quote #9
He became so interested that for an instant he forgot his precious prisoner. There is always something childish in the rapacity of the passionate, clear-minded, Southern races, wanting in the misty idealism of the Northerners, who at the smallest encouragement dream of nothing less than the conquest of the earth. Sotillo was fond of jewels, gold trinkets, of personal adornment. After a moment he turned about, and with a commanding gesture made all his officers fall back. He laid down the watch on the table, then, negligently, pushed his hat over it. (III.2.27)
With this description of the dopey Sotillo, we get more curious stereotypes and racial profiling. Although complimenting the "Southern races" as "clear-minded," the narrator also calls them "childish" and greedy. Meanwhile, the worst thing the narrator can say about the Northerners is that they don't need encouragement to think big… not exactly the most Real Housewives-ready insult.