The Southern Thruway by Julio Cortazar
The Southern Thruway by Julio Cortazar is a narrative that revolves around the humans' collective response to a similar problem. The traffic jam experienced on the main highway from Southern France to Paris is characterized by the slow movement of cars, irritated drivers and passengers, and the formation of informal relationships. As Cortazar focuses on the emergency response, the creation of relationships is the critical theme depicted in the narrative. Therefore, Cortazar depicts emergency management as a process that involves the development of short-term human relationships with roles and distinct characters that enable the victims to overcome the problem.
Development of Relationships
In the early stages of the traffic jam, every passenger and driver expresses own worries, irritability, and time-consciousness, which indicates the individualism. However, the development of relationships begins with the infrequent forward moves, which brings the cars closer while their occupants gradually become acquainted. In this regard, it is evident that Cortazar expresses the idea of individualism when people begin to face a common problem. Like the vehicles, the occupants soon start to discuss the common challenge with comments and restrained curses on the poor state of roads amidst high taxes and government. On the same note, some passengers and drivers leave the vehicles due to impatience, hot sun, and curiosity about the role of police in traffic control (Cortazar, 18). Hence, through similar adverse experiences, different people form informal relationships without predetermined objectives and agenda.
Distinct Characters and Behaviors
Within the informal relationships formed during emergency management, people begin to express distinct characters and behaviors. Cortazar narrates that as night fell, the group of "strangers" began to share drinks and food, while the bond is strengthened by the collective hopes, resilience, despair, and mutual relief. The roles become clear as some passengers/drivers express the positive values of helping others, seeking information for the group, consoling the worried partners, and ensuring cohesion. However, as people show their positive innate values, the contemporary identifications diminish. In this regard, the modern methods of identifying people though occupation, nature of cars, social security, family status, and professions are neglected. Cortazar narrates that during the night; the passengers/drivers did not recognize each other based on the modern identities. Instead, they both shared the experience and coordinated in overcoming the emergency without superiority of social class or status. At the end when the traffic speeds up, the temporary informal relationship ends characterized by long, breathless talks as if the people had known each other and overcame the problem together.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cortazar depicts emergency management as a process that involves the development of short-term human relationships with roles and distinct characters that enable the victims to overcome the problem. The common problem influences the victims to neglect the impersonality, inequalities, identities, and hurry that feature the contemporary society. As a result, the people develop informal relationships where they exhibit their roles and distinct traits towards collectively overcoming the problem. Besides, the victims forget the contemporary identities to express positive innate characteristics that influence mutual understanding, support, consolation, overcoming the challenge together.
Works Cited
Cortazar, Julio. "The Southern Thruway." Word Press, n.d., https://latinamericanshortstories.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/the-southern-thruway.pdf. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
