On the formation of Argentinian literature

three decisive moments

Abstract

Taking its cue from Antonio Candido’s methodological suggestion, this article aims to identify decisive moments in the history of Argentinian literature. For the purposes of this outline, these moments will be interpreted in terms of three polarities: civilisation or barbarity (first half of the 19th century), tradition or barbarity (turn of the 20th century), translation or barbarity (from 1920). The premise is that there is a certain continuity at the pole of civilisation / tradition / translation, which represents the hegemonic version of Argentinian literary history, characterised by cosmopolitanism. It was this version that constructed barbarity as its antithesis at the opposite pole, occupied over time by different groups: Black people, Indigenous people, gauchos, immigrants, Peronists. The body of Argentinian criticism is sufficient to permit a solid debate, especially in relation to the work of Beatriz Sarlo, Carlos Altamirano, Patricia Willson and Carlos Gamerro.