The phrase "saviour of the country," appearing here in a suitably heroic and pedigreed version, recurs ironically as the title of Guzman Bento , and becomes a kind of catchphrase for revolution, with Mrs Gould decrying "the constant 'saving of the country.'" But then, each major character in the novel is out to save Costaguana in his or her own way, Mrs Gould not excepted. The phrase thus points up the essential similarity underlying supposedly antagonistic dream-ideals: in the long run all politics are an attempt to 'save the country.' Given the proliferation of saviours, Bolivar's modification -- "his country" -- is significant.