The story emphasizes the importance of:
* Initiative and Resourcefulness: Rowan, despite facing immense challenges, took initiative and used his resourcefulness to complete his mission, navigating hostile territory and finding a way to reach Garcia.
* Dedication and Loyalty: The story portrays Rowan's unwavering dedication to his duty and his loyalty to his country. He faced every obstacle with determination, putting the mission above personal comfort.
* Directness and Efficiency: The story highlights the need for clear and direct communication, emphasizing the importance of efficiently completing tasks without unnecessary delay or bureaucracy.
* The Value of a Willing Worker: The story champions the importance of having dedicated and reliable employees who are willing to go the extra mile to accomplish their assigned tasks.
However, the story has also been criticized for:
* Romanticizing colonialism: The story glosses over the brutal realities of the Spanish-American War and focuses on the American perspective, neglecting the Cuban struggle for independence.
* Promoting a cult of personality: It elevates Rowan as a hero, potentially overshadowing the contributions of others involved in the mission.
* Promoting an unrealistic expectation of employees: The story's message of unwavering dedication and commitment might be interpreted as demanding employees to always be "on call" and sacrifice personal life for their work.
In conclusion, "A Message to Garcia" is a story with a complex legacy. While it emphasizes positive qualities like initiative, dedication, and efficiency, it also carries problematic implications related to colonialism and unrealistic expectations of employees.
The story remains a popular example of motivational literature, but it's crucial to read it with a critical lens, considering its historical context and potential for misinterpretation.