The War of the End of the World

“From the moment his son reached the age of reason, the Scotsman impressed upon his mind the following precept: revolution will free society of its afflictions, while science will free the individual of his.”

The two tenets of Gall’s fundamental beliefs are introduced here. Both descend from 19th-century liberal thought, in which liberty considered the aim toward which society should aim. Uniting them is the fundamental belief in rationality, hence Gall’s dismissal of superstition, religion, machismo, and all ethical systems that derive from tradition rather than reason.

“He would finally speak to them, in that cavernous voice that unfailingly found the shortest path to their hearts.”

The Counselor is often described in borderline supernatural language, as though his charisma were of divine origin. Several times in the novel, his words bypass the usual barriers people put up and his followers feel he is speaking directly to them.

“The heart of the matter is that the interview confirmed my suspicions that in Canudos humble and inexperienced people, by the sheer powers of instinct and imagination, are carrying out in practice many of the things that we European revolutionaries know are necessary in order to institute a reign of justice on this earth.”

Part of Gall’s first article for L’Etincelle de la révolte. The rhetoric puts the “humble and inexperienced people” of Canudos in juxtaposition with “we European revolutionaries.” Whereas the rebels act by “instinct,” the Europeans use reason. Gall’s patronizing implications color his thought and ultimately lead to his death at the hands of Rufino.