Topic > Summary of By Night In Chile - 1034 by Father Urrutio

On pages 81-82 Father Urrutia presents the reader with a chronology of the political transition from a socialist democracy to a military dictatorship. However, Father Urrutia disguises these political events as minor interjections as he recounts his extensive readings of Greek literature. Behind the literature of antiquity, Father Urrutia seems to hide both to be involved in the transition and to justify the political transition in Chile from a Marxist government to a military dictatorship. Furthermore, what is also important to consider is the significance of the fact that Father Urrutia read Greek literature. During ancient times, political thought revolved around democracy, which is opposite to the political transformation that occurs in this part of the book. The Greek writings represent his beliefs in democratic socialism within his political unconscious. These beliefs later conflicted as he taught Marxism to the leadership of the military dictator, Pinochet, to help destroy socialist democracy. “Why do you think I want to know the fundamentals of Marxism? He asked. To better serve our country, sir. Exactly to understand Chile's enemies, to find out how they think...” (Bolaño 100) Father Urrutia sees in Pinochet's teaching a possible gain in