Captain Berardo Giraldo, the myth of the noble guerrilla fighter

Abstract

Popular imagery suggests that the guerrillas defend the subaltern, the poor, the displaced by official violence and their lands. This context makes the emergence of a modern epic hero, with special features exemplary in battle and with unquestioned authority. Thus, testimonial literature creates a character who becomes myth in his own chronicle. Moreover, the testimony uses popular language, liberal and indigenous ancestry, warlike courage and equestrian Art to dialogue with the images of the former insurgent leaders in Latin America. His voice builds a true story. Literary devices mythify the guerrilla leader and, therefore, it is essential analyze their language, their expressions, the marginal geography and selection of stories, in order to trace the myth of the good fighter in the testimony of Captain Berardo Giraldo.