Paz explains this psychology of the people by rendering poetic justice to their attitudes. But the same cannot be categorized as inferiority complex. People have not been exposed to peaceful dispositions under all these conditions and their inner resentment was brewing often resulting in violent expressions. The process began with the rule of its own authoritarian rulers followed by the authoritarian Spanish conquerors that were cruel and ruthless and they were then replaced by the authoritarian oligarchies during the era of independence.Īnother factor by which the people of Mexico were overawed was the intimidator posture of the United States. Subdued individual personalities make a subdued and dispirited society and nation. People live under oppression and suppression under such rulers and will not have the opportunities for the free and full growth of their individual personalities. The reasons can be found in the political history of Mexico, its own authoritarian rulers to begin with. Though not a negative trait, solitude is linked to melancholy, and for Mexico, it originates in a psychological complex of defeat, according to the author.

He argues that solitude is intrinsic to the historical character of Mexico and as such, it is the key to understanding its history in its proper perspective. Wit intelligent arguments the author proves his point that solitude can be a national characteristic, the trait of an entire culture or nation. Octavio Paz tries to provide the national dimension to solitude, essentially a personal trait. That will be the beginning of real progress for the Mexicans. In that state of inner concentration, he states that Mexicans will realize that they are a cosmic race freed from all sorts of negativities and confusion. Paz turns spiritual to explain the desperate search for identity by the Mexicans thus: He urges the Mexican people to wake up from their dream state, know the ground realities, and act on the world outside with the practical approach, without the feeling of self-pity of self-condemnation.

The labyrinth of solitude octavio paz