Defining and Interpreting Latin American Greatness: The Hero, Caudillo, Intellectual, and Symbol
Abstract:
Since the early 19th century there has been an ongoing debate about the definition of greatness. My project explores the changes in the definition of greatness throughout time, specifically focusing on Latin America, and why these changes occurred. All of these definitions are important and as a result I have come up with four categories that encompass them: the Hero, the Caudillo, the Intellectual, and the Symbol. In my project I explain why each category is needed to define greatness. I also look at various case studies of individuals in Latin America to support the validity of my four categories. I conclude that while these categories may be different they all share a commonality in that they are representations of what society at the time deemed important.