Where to study for Medieval-Helpful Webpage

In reviewing libros de caballería and la novela sentimental, I happened upon an excellent webpage with a ton of our medieval works on it. 

The powerpoint on La Celestina is especially well-made. 

I think this website is worth poking around…

(This is opened to the Celestina page)

https://lclcarmen3.wordpress.com/2014/02/19/la-celestina-segunda-lectura-del-trimestre/

Indigenous theme in 20th century Latin America

Cambridge Companion to Latin American Novel: Chapter 7

-          Indigenista literature – distinctive features: (144)

o   Tone of social protest aimed at undoing immediate evils

o   The imposition of ideology on plot and character

o   A black and white construction of good and evil

o   Little stylistic preoccupation

o   Little or no character development

o   Superficial description of folklore and customs

o   Principal intent is to portray oppression

o   Pessimistic vision of world

-          Transition from indigenismo to neoindigenismo begins in the decade of the 1950s with the publication of the Peruvian José María Arguedas’s Los ríos profundos (144)

-          Essential elements of neoindigenista literature according to Cornejo Polar (144-145):

o   Use of magical realism to reveal the mythical dimension of the indigenous world

o   Intensification of lyricism as a category integrated into the narrative

o   Expansion and improvement of narrative techniques through a process of experimentation

-          “While indigenismo was informed by the basic contradiction between the indigenous communities and the landowners allied with the state, neoindigenismo deals with more intangible problems, existential conflicts, and the human condition” (145)

Discuss the vision of the indigenous in Me llamo Rigoberta Menchú, Balún Canan, Huasipungo, and/or any other text from the period that you find relevant. How do questions of race, nation, and alterity affect them? In what ways are their stories recorded and why does this matter?

I.                   Introduction: The indigenous “other” is a very important theme/character in all Latin American literature, since its very beginnings! That’s because ever since the conquistadors showed up in the “New World,” there was this other type of person that they had to figure out what to do with and how to think about. Due to the continued indigenous presence in Latin America and the social conflicts that have frequently arisen do to this presence, it’s not really a surprise that even various centuries after the “discovery” of the New World, the theme is still prominent in literature. Thus, it is important to consider the vision that 20^th century Latin American literature creates of the indigenous. In order to best analyze this idea, I will discuss three Latin American texts: Huasipungo (Icaza, 1934), Me llamo Rigoberta Menchú (Menchú and Burgos, 1983), and Los ríos profundos (Arguedas, 19658). Before commencing my discussion, it is important to note that these texts are representative of different genres and movements, but all address the indigenous “other.” In my analysis, I will comment on the interaction of genre, content, and message.

II.                Background literary context: brief presentation of genres (don’t know if this would be appropriate)

-          Intro: As mentioned previously, the theme of the indigenous is a very important one in Latin American literature. As such, the theme has appeared within various genres and contexts, with varying levels of prominence in different texts. Before analyzing specific texts, it is useful to first consider some of the genres in which the theme of the indigenous “other” has appeared in a larger role.

-          Indigenist literature: talks about indigenous stuff, but often rather flat, always an outside perspective trying to propagate what Indians are like (ex: Huasipungo)

-          Neo-indigenist literature: return to same goals as above, but often a closer and more genuine vision (ex: Los ríos profundos)

-          Testimonial: not necessarily focused on indigenous, as it can cover a variety of subjects, but in this case, we have an example that applies (Me llamo Rigoberta Menchú). This example is important because it gives a much closer vision, since it records the voice of an actual indigenous person.

III.             Huasipungo (Icaza, 1934, Ecuador)

-          Flat and infantilized vision of Indians, racial stereotypes; one representative character (Andrés)

-          Discrimination: Indians are abused, live in very poor conditions, Andrés’s wife is raped

-          Idea of the Indians’ weakness vs. the landowners’ strength: the Indians attempt to rebel but are ultimately crushed

-          Indigenist novel: outside perspective, can’t really do it justice.

-          Influence of realism (details of sordidness of life, omniscient third-person narration)

IV.             Balún-Canán (Castellanos, 1957, Mexico)

-          Indigenist novel

-          Influence of child’s perspective (infantilizes problem)… taken care of by indigenous woman, sees conflict between landowners and the indigenous people.

V.                Los ríos profundos (Arguedas, 1958, Peru)

-          Incorporates real maravilloso (Zumbayllu, mythical structure, aspects of ancient indigenous culture. And that is important because it shows a different, slightly more understanding/open vision of the indio)

-          Much closer vision of indigenous (neo-indigenismo) – more understanding

-          More interesting because our narrator (Ernesto) actually puts himself into the position of having to choose between sides.

-          Very Peruvian – focused on social conflicts due to indigenous vs. not-indigenous folks (like other Peruvian novels before – Aves sin nido)

VI.             Me llamo Rigoberta (Menchú y Burgos, 1983, Guatemala)

-          Testimonial novel – collective [marginalized] voice, but more personal, closer view of the Indians because one of them is narrating the story

-          Social conflict: indigenous vs. non-indigenous ladinos

-          Also get a lot of stuff about indigenous culture that we may not have gotten in a different context/genre

VII.          Recap: some common trends/ideas between all

-          All highlight social conflict (racism, discrimination)

-          Varying levels of indigenous culture knowledge (with Rigoberta having the most, and Icaza having the least)

-          Different genres have different results/feels for the reader

VIII.       Conclusion

-          Indigenous thing is innate/inevitable characteristic of Latin American literature, have seen it in a variety of ways and will probably continue seeing it. Forms part of Latin American identity.

Latin American Essays: Modernism - Present

This doesn't include all the essays in this section of the list, but it includes a lot of them, maybe half.

Ariel (1900) – José Enrique Rodó (Uruguay)

-          Summary: Essay in the form of a farewell speech by an old schoolmaster, directed at youth of Uruguay / Latin America. Symbolic use of Shakespeare’s The Tempest – Ariel and Caliban. Ariel symbolizes reason, and Caliban symbolizes instinct. Importance of youth in shaping future. People should be well-rounded (allegory of hospitable king). Importance of beauty and aesthetics. Analysis of utilitarian attitude and democracy. A look at U.S.; criticizes utilitarian nature. Idea that Latin America should follow inspiration of Ariel – human self-improvement.

-          Influence of modernism

o   Importance of beauty, search for beauty/perfection

o   Elitism

-          Latin American identity, nationalism

-          Civilization vs. barbarie

-          Didactic, earnest, moral tone

La raza cósmica (1925) – José Vasconcelos (México)

-          Essay promotes ideology of a future "fifth race" in the Americas; an agglomeration of all the races in the world with no respect to color or number to erect a new civilization: Universópolis

-          Summary: History of diverse races, especially whites and Latins. Latins have the potential to be superior and lead other races in racial mixing to form final and perfect cosmic race in third spiritual age (rather than previous material age and current intellectual age).

-          Themes: pseudo-scientific style, anti-U.S., subtly pro-Christian, Latin American identity, race

Laberinto de Soledad (1945) – Octavio Paz (Mexico)

Discussion of Mexican identity and flaws in Mexican character. “Solitude is innate aspect of human condition.”

“Los hijos de la Malinche”

-          Mexican is closed and hard to understand, repelling to all

-          Powerful words that are unique to each country – for Mexico: chingar/chingón/chingada

-          Two possibilities for the Mexican – be the chingón, or be the chingada

-          Explanation of machismo

-          Idea of Mexicans as orphans; have rejected their origins and cut off ties with their Mother

“Todos los santos”

-          Fiesta as a temporary escape from solitude and reserve that binds Mexicans normally

-          Explanation of the nature of death as a reflection of life

La ciudad letrada (1984) – Angel Rama (Uruguay)

-          Summary: Talks about the development of urban centers during colonial times; the “letrados” or intellectuals were superior to other classes. In 19^th century, this evened out a bit – increased level of literacy and access to education. Use of writing to describe cultures that had previously been based on oral traditions. Realization of the fragility of Latin America’s place in modern economy; specialization of the letrado elite… new caudillos.

-          Influence of modernism

o   Elitism

-          Importance of education; kind of a way of proving civilization (rather than being labeled barbaric)

-          Development of Latin America

-          Exploration of Latin American identity

-          Civilization vs. barbarism

o   Urban = civilized; rural = barbaric

Latin American Essays: Independence to Modernism

Big Picture

-          Emphasis on national identity

-          Lots of comparison between Europe and Latin America (reflects looking back at Europe and looking forward into Latin American future with some trepidation and some excitement)

Simón Bolívar (Venezuela) – “Carta de Jamaica” (1815/1816)

-          Context: This letter was written in 1815, while Bolívar was in exile in Jamaica, three years after the start of the violent independence movement; didn’t have enough support to continue fighting. He was hoping to reach out to other countries for support. “America stands together because it is abandoned by all other nations”

-          Summary: Analyzes successes in America’s independence movement, and justifies desire for independence. Criticizes Spain and calls for the rest of Europe to be reasonable and help out. Speculates on destiny of the various areas of Latin America. (Fear that it would break apart and fall under tyrannical rule – creepily accurate). Petitions for the union of the countries of the Americas.

-          Focus on national identity

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (Argentina) – Facundo: civilización y barbarie (1845)

-          Work of creative non-fiction that helped to define the parameters for thinking about the region's development, modernization, power, and culture

-          Contrasts civilization and barbarism as seen in early 19th-century Argentina

o   Civilization identified with Europe and Unitarians (against Rosas)

o   Barbarism identified with Latin America and Federalists (supported Rosas)

-          Describes the life of Juan Facundo Quiroga, a gaucho who had terrorized provincial Argentina in the 1820s and 1830s

-          Denounces the tyranny of the Argentine dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas (vision of Rosas as Facundo’s heir)

-          Negative vision of the gaucho (not like Hernández’s Martín Fierro)

Andrés Bello (Venezuela) – “Nuestro ideal: La creación de la cultura americana” (1848)

-          Written for anniversary of the university

-          Neoclassical / Enlightenment influence – idea of importance of education

-          Emphasizes importance of both religion and education as keys to a healthy and happy life

-          Sees Europe and United States as positive examples to imitate