the conflict between civilization and barbarism mirrors latin america's difficulties in the post-independence era. literary critic sorensen goodrich argues that although sarmiento was not the first to articulate this dichotomy, he forged it into a powerful and prominent theme that would impact latin american literature. he explores the issue of civilization versus the cruder aspects of a "caudillo" culture of brutality and absolute power. "facundo" set forth an oppositional message that promoted a more beneficial alternative for society at large. although sarmiento advocated various changes, such as honest officials who understood enlightenment ideas of european and classical origin, for him education was the key.