Jose Marti

                                  Jose Marti was a Cuban nationalist. He was born in 1853, January 28 and died on 1895 May 19.He was a poet, essayist, philosopher, journalist, professor, publisher and a political theorist. He was a Cuban patriot, freedom fighter .He never lived to see Cuba free yet he is considered as the national hero. In 1869 he was in serious trouble because of his work .The ten years war between Spain and Cuba (1868-1878) affected the lives of the slaves in Cuba .they fought against Spain and Young Jose wrote passionately in support of  the rebels. He was convicted of disloyalty and sentenced to six years labour .He was only sixteen at that time. Due to his parents intervention the sentence was reduced but he was exiled to Spain. On January 1891,His essay Nuestra America was published in New Yorks and on 3oth of that month in Mexico.He eagerly participated in the international monetary conference in New york as well. On November 26^th he was invited by the club Ignacio agramonte an organization founded by Cuban immigrants in Ybor city,to a celebration to collect funding for the cause of Cuban independence. the following night another lecture was given by Marti in another gathering in honour of the medical students killed in cuba in 1871.His style of writing is difficult to categorize. he used short, memorable lines that convey truth or wisdom. and long complex sentence considered a major contributor to the Spanish American Literary movement .He has been linked to Latin American consciousness of the modern age and modernity.

                        His writings reflected his own views both socially and politically. ’Cultivono Rosa Blanca” is one of his poems and I would like to analyze this particular poem:

I cultivate a white rose

In July as in January

For the Sincere friend

Who gives me his hand frankly

And for the cruel person who tears

Out of the heart with which I live

I cultivate neither nettles nor thorns

I cultivate a white rose

This poem expresses his hope for the betterment of his country. In Cuba January is a hot month. But July is cold and cultivating a white rose in winter would be a real action of love. The poet is prepared to carry out a labour of love for a true friend. It is truly worth to do something like that for a true friend. but he also says that he would do the same thing for his enemy as well. He was a man who faced the impact of colonization ,through this poem he is declaring that he will treat everyone equally and  explains his hope for his Home land. A kind or cruel regardless of the personality he cultivates a white rose. Which means he remains peaceful. This speaks about his ideologies and his desire to establish unity among the people. Communal identity regardless of ethnic and racial barriers. This could be possible if everyone treats each other as friends. The kindness of one person should be shared equally with his friend and enemy. On January 1891,His essay Nuestra America was published in New Yorks and on 3oth of that month in Mexico.He eagerly participated in the international monetary conference in Newyork as well.

References:

1. www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/366828/Jose-Julian-Marti

2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Martí