El Tonto Del Barrio Summary

Intelligence vs. Education: El Tonto del Barrio Intelligence and education are different concepts that branch from the same source: knowledge. However, there are many differences that create a variation in the application of these concepts. While intelligence comes from within, education comes from without. One cannot be perceived to be educated, if they have not received knowledge from outside sources. However, one can be intelligent without having received an education. In El Tonto del Barrio, the differences between education and intelligence are clearly brought out. The story brings out characters who are intelligent and others who are educated. From the understanding of this story, one can be intelligent and uneducated and educated and

Intelligence is innate and cannot be sources from books or teachers. In this story, it is clear that Barelo did not go to school. He has not had even the slight education. This means that he is uneducated, but this does not make him unintelligent. On the other hand, Seferino has finished high school and is set to join Harvard University soon (Stanford 527). This makes him one of the most educated persons in the Golden Height Centro region. However, the education he has does not translate into intelligence. This can be seen through the actions of both characters in relation to Romero. Barelo takes time to think about how to treat Romero and comes up with a way of helping him out. He gives him haircuts and lets him sit in the barber shop all afternoon as a way of repaying him for sweeping the streets (Anaya and Márquez 22). Seferino does not see things this way. He believes that the only way Romero can get compensation for his kind acts, is through money. This shows the clear intelligence differences that exist between the father and

As a person acquires more life experience, their critical thinking skills get better. Moreover, experience sharpens one’s intelligence levels. This is why younger persons are more likely to make stupid mistakes as compared to older individuals. The lack of experience makes it difficult for them to think about situations properly, leading to rush decisions. In this story, it is clear that Seferino does not have adequate life experience to help him in analyzing situations. He just applies the little knowledge he has had so far and relates it to Romero’s case (Stanford 527). This results in a rush decision, that is reached without proper analysis of the scenario. From an educated perspective, Romero can only be paid using money and this is the perception help by Seferino. This is why Einstein says that education can interfere with a person’s learning. However, from an intelligent mind such as that of Barelo, Romero is paid through the kind acts expressed by everyone in the