Class Notes: “The Inextinguishable Race” By Silvina Ocampo Examining the story from an analytical perspective.

Examining the Story "The Inextinguishable Race" is a satire on modern society reminiscent of Gulliver’s Travels. In Ocampo's tail, children rule the city in which they and their parents live. In a striking reversal of roles and values, the children perform all of society’s tasks while the parents stay home and relax with hobbies. The smaller you are, the better. All aspects of living are child-sized, and the children refuse to consider the needs of anyone larger than they are. They view adults who complain about "inconveniences" as greedy, and they are wary of any adult small enough to masquerade as a child. Although these children are growing progressively smaller, and therefore are finding it increasingly difficult to perform the tasks on which the welfare of their society depends, they will destroy their society rather than share their power. They do not see anything myopic (nearsighted) in this attitude, being convinced that unless they rule as dictators, their race will die. Thus, Ocampo is depicting a world in which the principal values are topsy-turvy: what the children value as good is evil; what they view as salvation will bring annihilation; and what they consider to be human is inhumane.

Symbolism of the Children In this story, the children symbolize adults in modern society. In a role reversal, the children live their world the way Ocampo believes that adults live in theirs, with selfishness, myopia (nearsightedness), and paranoia. Both groups think only of satisfying their own needs and view everyone else as a threat to their future well-being. Ocampo implies that the humanity of adults in modern societies is just as self-centered, myopic, inhumane, and paranoid as the humanity of these children. Like the children in Ocampo's story, adults in the real world strongly resist relinquishing their power, at home or at work, nationally or internationally. Like the children in the story, many adults are prejudiced against anyone who is different, with gender, race, religion, and nationality being divisive issues in modern societies. Finally, like the children in the story, any adults in the real world focus only on the quality of their own lives. They do not care that others live under inferior and unsatisfactory conditions, and they see no connection between how they treat others and their own future. The children in this story, while symbolic of adults, actually think and behave like children. Young children are naturally selfish and incapable of foresight.

Parents as passionate beings The narrator views passion as a factor that distinguishes parents from children. However, the children are passionate (even apparently violent) in their hatred of those whom they view as a threat to their power. Although they are in control of their community, they still indulge in childish temper tantrums.

Foreshadowing There is foreshadowing of the reality beneath the appearance. The fact that the child-narrator is “bleary-eyed” and accuses the parents of “selfishness” foreshadows that all is not as it appears.

Satire The story is a satire in that it ridicules the values and myopia of the ruling classes in modern society. Just as the reader is aghast at the attitudes and behaviour of the children in this fictional society, so the author is aghast at the identical attitudes and behaviour of adults who thrive in modern societies In addition, the title emphasizes the story’s satirical aspects. The story reminds the reader that similar behaviour in other societies has not yet been rooted out, and that certain negative aspects of human nature may be inextinguishable.

The Ironic Nature of the Story The title reflects this ironic nature. The children think that their attitudes and actions will preserve their race, whereas their selfishness, paranoia, and myopia will actually lead to their downfall and destruction.

The use of Irony “A child’s world,” the symbol of innocence, purity, and goodness, is transformed here into a sophisticated evil. Becoming “more and more human,” the symbol of progress, wisdom, and increasing humanity, is transformed here into what is regressive and destructive of both others and self. Other ironies include: The fact that children, not adults, rule the society. The city appears to be perfect, but life is difficult for both adults and children. The children view adults as selfish, greedy, and unscrupulous, when they themselves behave like the adults they are criticizing.

Theme: In the words of Lord Acton (1834-1902): “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”