Letter to Carpentier

Dear Alejo,

Hi. I have been reading your novel The Kingdom of This World and I have noticed a couple of messages, and from them I have formed a couple of questions for you.

First, you mention on page 179 a deep realization through Ti Noel's eyes that man is at his greatest when he is bettering himself and being capable of loving despite cyclical affliction and trials. With this statement you are getting across that despite all the hellish, chaotic suffering going on in the world, man is still capable of being good, love, and improving. Although the cycle in this book seems hopeless, you are claiming there is still hope because man can better himself. So do you believe this constant sacrifice is worth the kingdom on this earth? Is all this human suffering we cause for the world worth it due to the love we can still create?

Also, on page 180, Ti Noel mentions a standoffish, wet vulture. "Ti Noel was never seen again...except perhaps by that wet vulture who turns every death to his own benefit and who sat with outspread wings, drying himself in the sun, a cross of feathers which finally folded itself up and flew off in the thick shade..." In this conclusion I take this symbol to portray some kind of god, or God himself. A figure that watches from a distance as hell burns away on earth, and then flies off, turning away from it. Ti Noel mentions earlier that he does not consider himself a part of the earthly species (173). Yet at the same time, cannot have complete understanding of the vulture or higher spirit, and because of this disconnection from the higher power he is constantly trying to transform and understand those things which he cannot. Since this chapter is called Agnus Dei, Latin for "Lamb of God," are you referring to Ti Noel as some kind of mediator between the kingdoms, that of heaven and of earth? He seems to me as if he is stuck between them, almost like a prophet sent to connect the two or at least interpret them.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
                                                                                                  Sincerely,
                                                                                                           Leah Avitabile