Friday, June 21, 2013

Sin Rumbo - Eugenio Cambaceres (1885)


Sobre el autor y la obra
-          Eugenio Cambaceres
o   Vida: 1843-1888; Argentina
o   Had some interest in politics, was a politician in his younger years
o   Died relatively young of tuberculosis
-          This work was considered his masterpiece
-          This novel is the third in a set of four
-          Famous line, reflecting pessimism of novel: “vivir es querer y querer es sufrir: luego la vida es por esencia dolor” (is this from the text or some other book?)

Contexto político/social
-          Argentina won independence from Spain in early 19th century (between 1816 and 1818)
-          However, after gaining independence, it took them a while to get their stuff together
-          There was a federalist dictator (Juan Manuel de Rosas) in power from roughly 1835 until 1852
-          Lots of trade with Europe, reliance on foreign powers for good of Argentinean economy
-          Federalist style government again in 1880’s (General Roca)
-          Argentina is not in a great situation during this time period – economic deterioration, political corruption, industrialization is ruining the ranch thing, lots of foreign immigration that overpopulates capital and raises crime rate

Comps
-          There’s no example comps question listed for this one.
-          I would think:
o   The role of the novel as social commentary/criticism
o   How the novel serves as example of naturalism and/or realism

Summary, according to wikipedia
El libro narra la historia de Andrés, un joven acostumbrado a vivir a su manera y sin ningún escrúpulo. Un día, cansado del aburrimiento de su hacienda, decide ir a la casucha del puestero y comienza un romance clandestino con la hija del mismo, Donata, a quien deja embarazada. Una vez que lo hace, la abandona y se marcha a la ciudad.
En la ciudad visita frecuentemente el Teatro Colón, en donde conoce a una cantante de ópera llamada Marietta Amorini, la prima donna de Aída. Amorini cede inmediatamente a las insinuaciones de Andrés pero, después de quince días de haber comenzado su apasionado romance, éste se aburre y decide volver a su hacienda en el campo.
Cuando regresa, ve que la campesina había muerto pero su hija (Andrea) continúa viva, por lo que asume que es hija suya y se hace cargo de ella. De esta forma Andrés comienza a cambiar su modo de vida en beneficio de su pequeña hija.
Pese a su felicidad, un día Andrea enferma de difteria y, muy debilitada, fallece. Andrés, destruido por la tragedia que lo había marcado a él y a su hija, se suicida, dando final a la historia.
Esta novela es una de las tantas que se presentaron en la corriente literaria "Naturalismo"

Notes from article (“Arte Narrativo in Sin Rumbo”)
-          Structure:
o   Chap. 1-13: Takes place in el campo en la estancia del protagonist
o   Ch. 14-26: Buenos Aires
o   27-32 Back in countryside. Part II also takes place in countryside. 
-          There is a symmetrical/parallel structure- e.g. opening/closing scene of book-not just a costumbrista scene, but also foreshadowing of tragical final scene (sheep were panting, in pain) 
-          Action, violence, and tension mark el paso de Sin Rumbo. MOVEMENT. 
-          ánimo nervioso y mudable del protagonista. 
-          Theatre motif (some of the narration sounds like acotaciones)
-          no omniscient narrator, really, who directs himself to the reader to explain the action. 
-          the characters " poseen esta característica de obedecer a un comportamiento inmutable."
-          Cordnudo as the most absurd theatrical character. 

What Cambridge Latin America says (Chap. 1, pg. 36-37)
-          Naturalism combined with realism
-          The protagonist, Andrés, is a jerk who’s impassive, jaded, and bored
-          There’s a summary – pg. 37
-          Severe contrast in protagonist Andrés’s behavior in the two parts of book (in first part, highlights his negative qualities; in second part, highlights his more positive qualities)
-          Several violent passages

What Franco says (Chapter 4, pg. 116-118)
-          “the best of the Argentinean novelists”
-          “rails at the avariciousness of the trading classes”
-          We as humans are “slaves of our instincts” – this smells of naturalism (determinism)
-          Brief summary of Sin Rumbo – pg. 117
-          Cambaceres’ belief that “lack of moral or spiritual purpose in man’s life reduces him to a biological machine which propagates and evacuates without the intervention of human will. His only freedom is that of self-destruction”

Notes from the introduction (edición de Claude Cymerman)
-          Strong contrast between the developed, more modern and rich capital city of Buenos Aires, and the poorer, undeveloped rural areas (implication of civilization vs. barbarie)
-          “La generación del 80”
o   Writers were all lawyers, politicians, journalists, diplomats, or military men – all intellects, but still politically involved
o   “La obra de los escritores del 80 lleva estampada la nostalgia de un pasado glorioso del que se siente heredera”
o   All these writers are aristocrats, part of the elite class
o   They accept the European influence – they’re into positivism, liberalism, and republicanism
o   These writers are dilettantes (amateurs, dabbling in writing for amusement, b/c they think it’s appropriate for their class) – idea of “dilettantes” writing for other “dilettantes” – implication that there’s not a lot of quality writing then
§  OMG, I’m so channeling Jovellanos… these dudes are BORED, and they don’t have any ilustrados forcing them to go to the theatre to entertain themselves, so they write instead…
-          Naturalism
o   European/French influence
o   Some characteristics:
§  Evolutionary theories, determinism, idea of hereditary traits
§  Physiology is superior to feelings/emotions
§  Influence of race and environment on actions
§  Fascination with experimentation
§  Positivism
§  Interest in science
§  Faith in man and in human progress
o   Affiliation of naturalism with the optimism of Latin America towards end of 19th century (essentially: “Things suck now, but things can get better! Right?”)
o   Pessimism – relates to determinism; idea that man isn’t in control of his own fate
-          Higher foreign/immigrant population in the 1880’s – increased crime rate, racism
-          Strongly pessimistic tone of the text
-          City-country contrast
o   In some ways, civilización vs. barbarie (especially in Cambaceres’ novels leading up to this one)
o   However in this novel more of idea of city as perverse and corrupted, with country contrasting as a regenerating refuge

Personajes
-          Andrés – protagonist, a young landowner/gaucho
-          Donata – Andrés’s lover at the hacienda; she dies early on
-          Marietta Amorini – opera singer, Andrés’s lover in the city
-          Andrea – Andrés’s daughter with Donata

Temas/ideas importantes
-          Estilo de escritura
o   No omniscient narrator, really, who would direct himself to reader to explain the action… more of third person limited narrator, focused on Andrés’s perspective
o   Symmetrical/parallel structure – beginning of book mirrors the end
§  Sheep suffering in beginning, Andrea and Andrés suffering at end
o   Use of regionalist language, slang, dialect – language reflects setting
-          Influence of naturalism
o   Focus on grotesque details of reality
o   Lots of mentions of science
o   Idea that it’s impossible to change (determinism)
o   Pessimism
o   Idea of following instincts (kind of goes with evolutionist theory)
-          Influence of realism
o   Contrast between rural and urban settings (ranch/country vs. city)
o   Transition from rural area to urban area (Andrés goes from ranch to city/Buenos Aires)
o   Idea of portrayal of life as it really is
o   Use of colloquial and popular language (regionalism)
-          Social commentary/criticism
o   The protagonist represents Argentina and its future – has no direction, [self]-destructive ending
o   Idea of the idleness/ociosidad of the upper class
§  Ex: Andrés was lazy in school; studied law and medicine but dropped out of both programs
§  Andrés’s life in the city – just gambling and going to opera, having sex
o   Andrés says church/religion and school are a useless waste of time (Cap. VII)
-          City (Buenos Aires) vs. country (rural ranch lands)
o   Civilización vs. barbarie
§  Example: Donata dies because nobody ever thinks to send for a doctor; she dies “like a dog”
§  City is more “sophisticated”
o   City is kind of like a waste land – all Andrés does is waste money gambling and have sex with Amorini; he rapidly gets bored and apathetic there
-          Gender
o   Andrés’s rape of Donata – she doesn’t exactly defend herself or resist. Thoughts on the abuses that are suffered by women; yet text doesn’t exactly offer any solution – kind of like, yeah it happens, nothing to do about it!
o   Andrés objectifies Donata – doesn’t love her or care about her; sex with her is just a way to pass the time. (Discusses this in Cap. VIII)
o   Objectification of women in general – examples: Donata and Amorini
o   Idea of the natural inferiority of women and the suffering that they inevitably face (discusses this specifically in Cap. XXXIV)
-          Violence
o   Careless sheep shearing (Cap. I)
o   Rape of Donata (Cap. IV)
o   Goes hunting not to eat animals, just to hurt something (Cap. V)
o   Castration of bulls (Cap. XI)
o   The surgery performed on Andrea (Cap. XLIV)
o   Andrés’s horrible suicide at the end
-          Characterization of the “gaucho” (maybe?)
o   Andrés’s rough personality, always angry; expects his orders to be obeyed
-          Characterization of Andrés
o   Womanizer
o   Irresponsible and ignorant landowner
o   Serves as an example of the elite failing to exercise leadership – Andrés should be leading his ranch to a progressive future, but he sucks at running a ranch
o   Pessimistic and apathetic; very negative outlook on life
o   Significant change in the second part of the book – loves his daughter and cares for her obsessively
o   Ultimately very unstable emotionally – revealed fully in ending action of suicide

Apuntes del texto
Primera Parte
I.                   The men are shearing sheep, but they’re not being careful and are doing a really crappy job, so they’re cutting the sheep and hurting them badly; lots of blood (violence). A couple of the men get into a fight (barbarians, violence) and the patron breaks it up.
II.                Description of setting/nature (I think the master house of the hacienda): there’s a Louis XIII style pavilion (1600’s French); a belt of yellow clouds, burning November sun, calm/tranquil afternoon. Presentation of Andrés – on a hammock; attractive blue yes, gray beard despite his young age (subtly dramatic introduction of protagonist).
III.             Andrés reflects on his past, so we as readers learn about his youth. His mother spoiled him (this ruined him – naturalism/determinism?); he was always given spending money by his parents/family. University as “una época feliz.” Studied law, then medicine, but dropped out of both programs (ociosidad de la clase alta!). Immense boredom with life. Reads Schopenhauer (a philosopher who described life as suffering; pessimism, naturalism). “Si la vida es tanto más feliz cuanto menos se la siente, lo mejor sería verse uno libre de ella” (early premonition of suicide?)
IV.             Andrés crosses the hacienda to go to ranch hand / tenant farmer’s house (where the country girl Donata lives). Vaguely theatrical description of scenery/nature around him (“to the left…,” “to the right…,” “en frente”). Andrés finds Donata semi-undressed after a siesta; his manly instincts start to take over (naturalism) and he throws himself at her (violence). “… fuera de sí, sin poder dominarse ya, en el brutal arrebato de la bestia que está en él, corrió y se arrojó sobre Donata.” He rapes her, but she doesn’t resist as much as she could have, because her instincts kick in too. After, he doesn’t understand her feelings at all… “Why are you crying, ingrata?”
V.                Andrés’s “negro pesimismo.” He’s in a bad mood, pissed at the world and lost in thought about “la corriente destructora de su siglo” and the pointlessness of love. Rapid change from laying about to wanting to go out – “un furor de movimiento” (movement, instability of character). Goes hunting, kills animals not to eat, just for desire of hurting something (violence). Andrés’s cat – the only animal/being that he actually likes; a dog is chasing the cat, which goes up a tree – idea that this is God’s natural order of things; yet Andrés interrupts/disturbs it by shooting the dog. The cat scratches him in return, haha.
VI.             There was a party in town. A rich guy (a cow thief) donates money to buy some fancier decorations for the church altar. Idea that he can make up for his crimes/sins with money. (Critique of church, misuse of money).
VII.          At the town party. They have a church service. After, the justice of the peace gives a speech: “Thanks to this rich dude for the donation of the altar. But that’s enough – all of you should contribute to the development of this place. We need a school – our kids aren’t being educated. ‘La inercia nos mata, nos consume.’” (Desire for progress). Andrés responds with his own little speech: “Stop wasting time with church and school. God isn’t anybody, and science is a cancer for the soul. Saber es sufrir, ignorar, comer, dormir y no pensar, la solucion exacta del problema, la única dicha de vivir.” (Naturalism: Happiness in following instinctual needs)
VIII.       Andrés has continued a relationship with Donata. Has sex with her whenever he finds her alone; she just kind of accepts it. Her father is an old typical pampa farmer, of the type that starts to disappear when faced with civilization (civilización vs. barbarie). Donata is kind of stupid and didn’t grow up with any women around since her mother died; she doesn’t know anything about love other than what nature teaches her – she thinks Andrés loves her because he keeps coming back (naturalism – follows instincts). For Andrés, she just a thing – objectification of women.
IX.             Andrés has the antojo to spend a night with Donata, so he sends her father out on some task for him. Andrés asks if he thinks there will be any problem leaving Donata alone with some peoncito, and her father says no, “I taught her how to have some honor.” He has no idea she’s already sleeping with Andrés.
X.                Andrés goes to find Donata alone in her house that night. He has sex with her, but then can’t sleep – puts out the candles she had lit for her father (for Virgin’s protection), finds the sheets rough (he has finer ones b/c he’s rich). He eventually gets frustrated and leaves.
XI.             A group of the peones drinking and talking as the night starts to become morning. (Somewhat costumbrista). Un peon: “los hombres pobres necesitamos de los ricos.” Work for the day: castrating bulls. (Violence, force, pain). One bull escapes and nearly hurts Andrés; Andrés is pissed at one dude in particular.
XII.          It’s May and it’s starting to get colder and days are shorter; winter is coming (winter is June-August in Argentina). Andrés is going to go to the city; Donata is sad he’s leaving. Andrés is annoyed: “A mí no me gustan las mujeres lloronas.” Donata reveals she’s pregnant and Andrés suddenly softens, and says he’ll come back within a month and will take care of her.
XIII.       Andrés doesn’t want to get married and settle down (“mirando el matrimonio con horror”) so he heads to the city (Buenos Aires) to live up the single life, going to clubs and the theatre and gambling. Idea of life as a farce.
XIV.       Andrés goes to the theatre/opera, where he receives special treatment (for his higher social class and status) – he is allowed to enter while the singers are rehearsing and others aren’t. There’s a new (and beautiful) opera singer – Amorini, the prima donna… she’s married, but Andrés wants her. Andrés chats with Amorini’s husband, who seems like an ignorant little twit.
XV.          Andrés goes to a club to gamble and loses quite a bit of money.
XVI.       Theatre again, night of the opera’s debut. Amorini is nervous, but the audience loves her.
XVII.    There’s a dinner after the opera; Andrés and Amorini are both there. Some other chick is jealous of the attention Andrés pays Amorini. Andrés is only interested in Amorini due to an instinctual, carnal desire (naturalism). “apenas movido por un débil interés carnal, ésa y la otra y todas eran lo mismo.” (objectification of women). Amorini wants to get with Andrés; she’s jealous and wants him to herself – they’re going to start an affair even though she’s married.
XVIII. There’s an abandoned somewhat ruined house in the city, where Andrés has flings. Amorini starts to second-guess: “What are you going to think of me after?” He gives her a traitorous kiss and things get going; she starts to defend herself and make excuses but then gets into it. (Passion).
XIX.       Amorini is falling in love with Andrés (as is natural for a woman); Andrés however, has gotten bored of her after two weeks. Andrés feels very apathetic about everything. (“¿por qué andar, por qué vivir?”)… Andrés thinks of suicide (foreshadowing). Amorini wants to have sex at the theatre, and Andrés says no until she calls him a coward.
XX.          It’s a dismal day (weather) – maybe a bit romantic; weather reflects Andrés’s mood? Andrés meets Amorini in the theatre and they start to have sex… but then they hear her husband’s voice; he’s looking for her. Andrés tells Amorini to hide, and handles business, telling her husband that Amorini’s not there and to stop poking his nose where it doesn’t belong (haha wow). THEN, the incredibly stupid Amorini pokes her head out and her husband (Gorrini) sees her and gets super pissed. Andrés says, “let’s go outside,” to not have a scandal in the theatre, but then the husband never comes out.
XXI.       Andrés goes to talk to some friends about what’s going on; he’s thinking about challenging Amorini’s husband, Gorrini. His friends say he’s only being so angry/irrational because he’s hungry (it’s like a Snickers commercial!).
XXII.    One of Andrés’s friends goes to talk to Gorrini (Amorini’s husband). Says there’s nothing going on between Andrés and Amorini, it just looked that way. I don’t know if Gorrini believed it, and still thinks his reputation is ruined, or what… Gorrini thinks about Amorini: “lo había traidoramente escarnecido, deshonrado, a él, un noble, un conde, un hijo de ilustre raza, a él que todo lo abandonara, porvenir, familia, patria, que todo sacrificara por ella… y tanto que la había querido… ¡infame, infame, infame!”
XXIII. Solari (owner of theatre) thinks that the reputation of his theatre is in shambles after this whole thing. Solari tells Andrés to stop this nonsense with Amorini; Andrés laughs at him. Gorrini has left Buenos Aires to go wait for his wife in Río Janeiro (shame!).
XXIV. Andrés and Amorini are now rather openly lovers. Andrés is so bored of Amorini that he starts to hate her. Amorini starts to sing badly in the theatre and has become ugly in Andrés’s eyes. Andrés imagines killing her and then killing himself (foreshadowing).
XXV.    Andrés looks for excuses to be away from Amorini. He becomes a shut-in and is lethargic and depressed. Contrast between lethargic stillness and sudden movementreflects instability of Andrés’s character. He drinks and gambles. His life is “sin plan ni rumbo.” He’s somewhat nostalgic for the Pampa and the ranch, but remembers Donata being pregnant and is reluctant to go home to a kid. Conflict of thoughts – he’s proud to have a child (naturalism, yay for continuing the blood line), but doesn’t want responsibility or an annoying woman. Starts to worry about money – he’s close to financial ruin if not careful.
XXVI. Andrés leaves Amorini a brief letter saying goodbye, in which he recommends she get back together with her husband Gorrini and leaves her some money. He’s thinking of his child (with Donata, back at the ranch) – he wants to meet him.
XXVII.          Andrés heads back towards the ranch. The way is a little bit difficult due to all the rain recently; Andrés is annoyed.
XXVIII.       Andrés dreams about his son – dreams that he is big and powerful, but then becomes a monster. There is a crowd and Andrés defends his monster-son from the people.
XXIX. Continued journey towards the ranch. Andrés thinks of his child and actually cries a few tears… wow! They’re going to have to swim to get across the river.
XXX.    They’re crossing the river and it’s rough going. The men and animals are almost drowning. “La inteligencia, el instinto por un lado; por el otro la fuerza inconsciente y ciega de la naturaleza desquiciada.” (Naturalism – sense that nature is indifferent to human struggle). Andrés nearly drowns, but makes it across – he’s the only one to do so, so he heads to the ranch on foot, alone.
XXXI. Andrés finally arrives home at the ranch. He asks for news – is curious if Donata has had his child, but doesn’t want to ask directly. As an afterthought, his servant mentions that Donata’s father is going to stop working for them, because he’s been screwed financially because Donata “got into some mischief” and just had a baby, but died in childbirth. The servant wonders out loud who the father of the orphaned girl is, and Andrés angrily reveals that he is.
XXXII.          Servant woman gives Andrés his daughter for the first time; he feels sad and confused. Contrast of feelings: curiosity vs. repugnance. He wants to treat his daughter well, and “rodearla de todo el bienestar de que él gozaba.” Andrés is super worried about taking perfect care of his daughter – thinks he should maybe bring in a nurse from Buenos Aires. The old-lady-servant-woman-nurse tells Andrés about how Donata got sick after childbirth and died; Andrés doesn’t understand why they didn’t call for a doctor instead of leaving her to “die like a dog.” (They’re uncivilized). Andrés thinks about taking his daughter to live in Buenos Aires.

Segunda parte (starts two years later)
XXXIII.       Two years have passed and it’s a beautiful spring day. There is no longer sadness in Andrés’s eyes; he’s changed. He is playing with his daughter and listens to her tell a story about her doll. (Cambaceres writes in childlike language, imitates childish speech for daughter’s voice). Andrés adores his daughter, Andrea; she’s changed his perspective on life. He spoils his daughter like crazy… he’s afraid to lose her, so only wants to give her happiness.
XXXIV.       Andrés worries about his daughter’s future as a woman: “Pensaba en la triste condición de la mujer, marcada al nacer por el dedo de la fatalidad, débil de espíritu y de cuerpo, inferior al hombre en la escala de los seres, dominada por él, relegada por la esencia misma de su naturaleza al segundo plan de la existencia” (gender roles, inferiority of women). Andrés starts to return to his old pessimism. Idea that he can’t do anything to change his daughter’s fate – it’s all up to the natural way of things (determinism, naturalism). Andrés ponders the role of the woman – maybe things are actually better in the East with polygamous harems. “La prostitución, esa asquerosa llaga del cuerpo social; la ilegitimidad de los hijos, esa irritante injusticia; el celibato de la mujer, esa absurda esterilización de fuerzas en las clases superiores, esa inhumana condena al más bárbaro de los presidios en las clases proletarias: cientos de miles de infelices desheredadas de la suerte, obligadas a arrastrar, para ellas y sus bastardos, una vida miserable de privaciones y trabajos.” His daughter is condemned to suffer the vía crucis of her gender. Andrés is irrationally terrified that his daughter will die – foreshadowing.
XXXV.          Andrés feels purified and tranquilo in the presence of his daughter Andrea. He’s worried about how fickle fate is – vague desire to be able to have faith in something like God, but he’s pretty much an atheist.
XXXVI.       Everything is going well for Andrés financially with the ranch, etc. He’s going to be able to provide for his daughter’s future, and he imagines what she’ll be able to do. Ironic contrast: “Pero como si entre las leyes ocultas que gobiernan el universo existiera una, bárbara, monstruosa, exclusivamente destinada a castigar por el delito de haber gozado alguna vez, el sueño acariciado por Andrés no debía tardar en disiparse convertido en una ironía sangrienta del destino.”
XXXVII.    It’s a hot day. (Constant commentary on weather…) Andrés is working hard; he’s driven by a blind ambition to accumulate and increase his wealth.
XXXVIII. Andrés arrives from working to eat with his daughter and aunt; he and his daughter are super close. She is very affectionate with him. Andrés has a bad feeling that something horrible is going to happen, but says his mind’s playing tricks on him. “His daughter wouldn’t get sick, she would live a long healthy life…” (Pessimism, foreshadowing).
XXXIX.       A few hours later in the middle of the night, Andrea is sick with croup, a respiratory illness. Andrés feels as though he’s already seeing her death sentence, and starts to panic. He forces her to take some medicine and sends for a doctor – ASAP.
XL.           Andrés starts to give up hope – “no había remedio, toda esperanza era vana, el crup no perdonaba…” He feels useless – wishes the sickness would take human form, something he could hurt and kill. “Only a miracle, only God could save her… but where is that merciful God anyways?” Andrés makes another medicine to give her and thinks she has died and starts to shout – but, false alarm, she’s still alive.
XLI.        The doctor finally arrives. He gets the gunk (phlegm) out of Andrea’s throat. (Scientific, talks about details of cure).
XLII.     Andrea’s still sick. Andrés is suffering, super worried for her. He plagues the doctor with constant questions. (Scientific/medical terminology). A ranch-hand shows up and tells Andrés that things on the ranch aren’t going so well; a lot of cows drowned in the flooded river – Andrés doesn’t care at all, says they can all die for all he cares.
XLIII.  The doctor’s going to operate on Andrea since she’s not improving. The doctor will need help in surgery and asks Andrés to get some other man, Andrés refuses and says he himself will help. “Con las señoras no debe uno contar en estos casos”
XLIV.  Operation on Andrea. Doctor cuts her throat open – Andrés and servant man hold her down. (Blood, violence). Andrés is watching this horrible spectacle – “La desgraciada criatura le hacía el efecto de un cordero degollado.” (Like the sheep at the beginning). Andrés cries out to God – “I believe in  you… I’ll believe in you if you just save her!”
XLV.     After all that, nothing worked. Andrea died. Andrés goes into a weird silent trance. He wants to kill himself; he’s very calm about the whole thing. He cuts a cross into his own front, his stomach. He waits but isn’t dying and he gets angry: “Vida perra, puta… - rugió Andrés -, yo te he de arrancar de cuajo!” So he tears out his own intestines; his blood splashes out onto his daughter’s cadaver, and he dies. Smoke billows in the air… FIN.

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