Novel: By Night in Chile

Introduction
"By Night in Chile" is a 2000 unique written by Chilean author Roberto Bolaño. The book is a dark and engaging story set against the background of Chile's unstable political history. It is narrated by a passing away priest and poet, Father Sebastián Urrutia Lacroix, who states his life and experiences as a literary critic, priest, and member of an effective and deceptive order. The novel works as both a criticism of Chile's literary and intellectual elite and an exploration of the relationship in between literature, politics, and morality.

Plot Summary and Structure
The novel is divided into 2 parts and takes the kind of a monologue delivered by Father Urrutia Lacroix on his deathbed. The story covers a period spanning over 3 years, starting in the 1950s and ending in the early 1990s. While the narrative shifts back and forth in time, it generally follows Father Urrutia Lacroix's life experiences as a literary critic, author, and priest.

In the very first part of the novel, Father Urrutia Lacroix discusses his early years as a literary critic, which allowed him to become acquainted with Chile's cultural and intellectual elite. He enters into a deceptive literary churchgoers called the Brothers of the Cross, which has been charged with protecting the Catholic Church's influence in Chilean society. The Brothers of the Cross are directly linked to effective members of the political class, and their conferences typically include talking about technique and tactics for maintaining political control.

To satisfy the commission of his order, Father Urrutia Lacroix goes into the worlds of literature and politics. He makes good friends and enemies amongst Chile's literary stars, consisting of the poet Pablo Neruda, who he slams in a devastating evaluation. In this period, Father Urrutia Lacroix likewise participates in a strange conference in Europe with other members of the order to talk about the Catholic Church's action to communism. Here, he experiences a threatening figure known as the "Shadow", who seems to have a deep understanding of both literature and the functions of power.

In the 2nd part of the unique, the story jumps ahead to the 1970s, throughout the government of Salvador Allende and the socialist transformation in Chile. In this period, Father Urrutia Lacroix becomes a court poet and spiritual consultant to General Augusto Pinochet, who leads a violent coup and develops a ruthless dictatorship. He is entrusted with mentor Marxism to right-wing military officers in order to much better battle versus it. In this area, he also experiences guilt over the state-led torture and murder of civilians, including authors and artists.

Styles and Analysis
"By Night in Chile" explores themes of literature, power, and morality through the experiences of Father Urrutia Lacroix. The novel deals a scathing review of Chile's intellectual and cultural elite, who are portrayed as complicit in the nation's political repression and violence. Regardless of declaring to be guardians of art and culture, lots of protagonists are linked in the abuses of power that take place during the Pinochet regime.

The novel also raises questions about the role of literature and the obligation of authors in a politically charged context. Daddy Urrutia Lacroix represents a figure who has selected to align himself with the forces of power, even when it implies betraying his fellow writers and artists. Through his character, the unique interrogates the limitations of literature and art, as well as the ethical options that writers must make when confronted with political conflict and repression.

Overall, "By Night in Chile" is a dark and extreme exploration of the crossways in between literature, politics, and morality in 20th century Chile. Through a captivating and challenging story, Roberto Bolaño presents a damning review of a literary and intellectual elite that bears responsibility for the country's rough and oppressive history.