La búsqueda del sentido de la vida mediante la violencia en las bestias de agosto (1964)

This article examines how, in Las bestias de agosto, within an irrational and senseless society, violence becomes the primary means of finding a vital purpose. To fully expound on this idea, the analysis will first reflect on how the novel portrays these characteristics of their social environment and will then explore how violence allows certain characters—such as the Colonel, Beto, and Gro—to construct meaning of their existence around power, money, pleasure, and ideals. The narrative suggests that both the State and its detractors employ similar strategies to perpetuate the conflict. Both create an enemy to justify violence, forge a collective identity, and promote moral superiority. They coerce their militants to abandon their dignity and critical thinking to follow orders. Additionally, they establish principles rooted in hypocrisy, moral superiority, contradiction, and a Manichaean worldview.