From space to threatening territory: the representation of the land of Chile in Desengaño and reparo de la guerra del reino de Chile (1614), by Alonso González de Nájera

Abstract

Indian Chronicles usually idealize the space they describe as a form of reclamation, to show the benefits of the territory. Also, they can present Nature as wild and untamed so to explain the difficulties of Conquest. A good example of this is Desengaño y reparo de la guerra del reino de Chile (1614), by Alonso González de Nájera, a heterogeneous work that mixes the natural and moral treatise of the Austral territory and its people with the chronicle or narrative of events; treatise of captivity but at the same time means or memorial to win the Arauco war. Space plays a vital role here: on the one hand, the author uses it to flaunt the beauties of the distant territory of Chile; on the other shows how the rough and wild land provides the Indians with insurmountable advantages in war.