Motorcycle Diaries exemplifies to characteristics of a bildungsroman by serving as a "coming of age" story of Ernesto Guevara. During the course of the novel, Guevara transforms from a 22-year-old, sheltered medical student to a mature, serious adult. Guevara grows psychologically, morally and socially throughout various encounters with people and places. One such experience is when he meets the Communist couple in the Chilean desert. Guevara and Granado had been traveling for a long period of time without food, water or rest. Upon meeting the couple, they are relieved. However, they soon realize that the couple is in worse condition than they are. The following day, Ernesto is exposed to poverty of the indigenous peasants who are all searching for work. Guevara is appalled at the treatment of workers. This is the first instance that makes a noticeable change in Guevara. Furthermore, Guevara is changed psychologically during his visit to Macchu Picchu. He wonders how the highly advanced culture gave way to the urban sprawl of Lima. In addition, Guevara's visit to the leper colony alters his outlook on life most drastically. He sees the physical and symbolic division of society and strives to close the gap. All of these encounters with social injustice transform the way Guevara sees the world and motivates his later political activities as a revolutionary.
Plan: 8000 km in 4 months
Name of motorcyle: La Ponderosa (The Mighty One)
Travelers: Ernesto Guevara & Alberto Granado
Chichina: Ernesto's Girlfriend
"You gotta fight for every breath, and tell death to go to hell."
-Ernesto says this to Silva (patient at the leper colony)
Plan: 8000 km in 4 months
Name of motorcyle: La Ponderosa (The Mighty One)
Travelers: Ernesto Guevara & Alberto Granado
Chichina: Ernesto's Girlfriend
"You gotta fight for every breath, and tell death to go to hell."
-Ernesto says this to Silva (patient at the leper colony)
I agree with you completely that this is a great coming of age story. I felt like that while traveling through South America that Guevera's eyes really were opened. I felt that one of the main points of the story was how through the whole trip Ernesto had the $15 to buy his girlfriend a swimsuit and even though they suffered through intense cold, hunger, and numerous breakdowns with their motorcycle he never spent the money. Until we find out that he gave it to the Communist couple he saw on the side of the road. I see this as major point because he put those people ahead of himself and his life. He saw that they were in need more than him which I think is a hint at what his future life will be like.
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