SOLDADOS DE SALAMINA el soldado

Summary

In a tense moment during a rainy day, a young soldier, no older than twenty, raises his musket at the narrator. Upon recognizing the soldier from the monastery courtyard, the narrator recalls an unexpected moment of vulnerability: the soldier sings 'Suspiros de España,' a song filled with longing. Despite his position of authority, the soldier's humanity shines through in his music, and the shared laughter that follows briefly lightens the mood. The narrator reflects on the soldier's curious gaze and wonders why he spared him that day, leaving an impression that lingers beyond the moment.

Takeaways

• 😀 A young man, not even 20 years old, raises a rifle in the rain to aim at the narrator.
• 😀 The narrator recognizes the young soldier, recalling a prior encounter at the monastery's courtyard.
• 😀 The soldier is not part of any special force (carabinero or SIM agent); he is just a simple soldier.
• 😀 Although the two never spoke, the narrator noticed the soldier during a guard shift in a watchtower.
• 😀 The soldier unexpectedly starts singing the Spanish folk song 'Suspiros de España' from the guard tower.
• 😀 The song's lyrics express sorrow for being far from Spain and the longing to return to a lost homeland.
• 😀 The soldier’s song brings a moment of levity to an otherwise grim situation, making the others laugh.
• 😀 A superior officer humorously insults the soldier, which breaks the tension and further lightens the mood.
• 😀 Despite the laughter, the narrator reflects on the soldier’s curious ability to smile with a joyful look.
• 😀 The narrator is left wondering why the young soldier chose not to shoot, as he seems to have been given a chance to escape.

Q & A

Who is the young man described in the script?

The young man is described as being under 20 years old, a soldier who once pointed a musket at the speaker under the rain. The speaker recognizes him from their previous encounter.

Where does the speaker first encounter the young man?

The speaker first sees the young man in the courtyard of a monastery, where the young man is standing guard in a sentry box.

What significant event occurs between the speaker and the young man?

The young man raises his musket at the speaker during a rainstorm, which causes the speaker to recall their prior encounter at the monastery.

What song does the young man sing, and why is it important?

The young man sings 'Suspiros de España,' a traditional Spanish song. The song is important because it connects to the young man’s emotional state and serves as a memorable moment for the speaker.

What is the significance of the young man's gaze as described in the transcript?

The young man is described as having an 'happy' gaze, which contrasts with the harsh situation. This gaze seems to leave a lasting impression on the speaker, who wonders why he let him escape.

How does the interaction between the young man and his superior unfold?

The young man is playfully insulted by a superior while singing, which causes a brief moment of humor and laughter. The incident lightens the mood among the soldiers.

What is the significance of the line 'Por qué me alejo España de ti?'

'Por qué me alejo España de ti?' is a line from the song 'Suspiros de España.' It conveys the sorrow and longing of the singer, reflecting the emotional hardship of being separated from Spain.

Why does the speaker recall the young man during this interaction?

The speaker recalls the young man when he raises the musket at him, as this moment makes the speaker remember the time they briefly interacted in the monastery courtyard.

Why does the speaker describe the young man as 'simple'?

The speaker describes the young man as 'simple' because he is not a member of the elite military forces, such as the carabineros or the SIM agents, but rather an ordinary soldier.

What is the emotional tone of the script?

The emotional tone is a mix of nostalgia, sorrow, and humor. While the situation is tense with the musket being raised, there are also moments of levity and camaraderie, particularly during the singing and playful interaction with the superior.