Gaucho Literature and Poetry: History and Characteristics
Gaucho Literature and Poetry
Gaucho Poetry
Gaucho literature is a subgenre that aims to recreate the language and way of life of the gaucho. Gaucho poetry gained momentum during the Age of Romanticism due to its “eminently national character” that satisfied the movement’s search for “local color.”
Gaucho Character as Human Type
The gaucho is a human type from the Rio de la Plata plains. Some say their origins can be traced to colonial times. From a national perspective, they were a mix of Creoles and mestizos who gradually acquired a distinct identity. Their life’s work was caring for animals, and they were strong and stoic in the face of nature’s hardships and the injustices they suffered. They had a speech full of pithy sayings, tinged with archaisms and indigenisms. The gaucho created a type of oral poetry that was eventually adopted by cultured poets who gave it artistic elaboration in writing.
Jose Hernandez
Born in Perdriel, Buenos Aires, on November 10, 1834, Jose Hernandez was the son of Rafael Hernández, a wealthy Spanish merchant, and Isabel Puyrredon. He was the first Argentine writer who did not portray the gaucho as a mere political figure or a means of satire or parody. Through poetry, he gained a great response to his proposals and made the most valuable contribution to the cause of the gauchos. Martin Fierro (1872) and The Return of Martin Fierro (1879) together form a popular epic. He died in Belgrano in 1886.
Baroque Lyric
The Baroque Lyric was a spiritual movement with a sense of renewal, self-expression, and aesthetic needs. It followed the line of motion in formal aspects but not in concept. It used all materials and expressive forms, Greco-Roman themes, and meaningful worship renewal terms.
Characteristics of the Baroque Lyric
- Complexity and Complication: Things are enclosed and exaggerated, so that only a minority understand.
- Involved Ideas and Issues: Expressive child elements like metaphors and wordplay are used.
- Constant Abuse: Bright images are used to stimulate the intellect.
- Replacement of Serenity and Balance: Classic beauty is replaced with dynamic art.
- Tendency to Exaggerate.
Romantic Epic
The Romantic Epic is a subgenre often written in long lines (hexameter) or prose. It is an extensive narration of momentous actions or events worthy of memory, centered around a hero who represents esteemed virtues.
Features
- A Critique of Reality: Authors like Edward White try to explain historical facts. For example, in Venezuela Heroic, he explains how a fight is not just about discovering the battle but also about understanding the context and facts associated with historical events.
- Empathy: Readers identify with the events because, even if they haven’t witnessed them, they have the opportunity to hear about them from witnesses. For example, in Venezuela Heroic, the author justifies the actions of the patriots based on the testimonies of people like General José Antonio Páez.
- Support on Documentary Sources: Authors like Eduardo White not only rely on the testimony of people and heroes who lived through the events but also on wartime archives and documents.
- Subjective Vision of Historical Fact: In Venezuela Heroic, the author presents a passionate and emotionally charged account of historical events, reflecting the characteristics of Romanticism.
- Poetic Style: Venezuela Heroic was written to stir the minds of its readers. It presents a declamatory style with vibrant prose and uses romantic expressive resources, such as exclamations and descriptions of the natural world, to complement the poetic aspects.
Edward White
Born in Caracas on December 25, 1838, Edward White studied at the school “The Savior of the World.” He lived his youth amidst civil unrest and high heroic ideals. He married José Ramón Blanco and Maria Eugenia Acevedo and was the author of two emblematic works of Venezuelan literature.
His most important writings are: Venezuela Heroic (first edition 1881 and second edition 1883), Zarate and Fairy Tales (1882), The Nights of the Pantheon (1875), Fauvette (1905), and Epic Traditions and Old Stories (1914).
This distinguished Venezuelan writer died in his hometown on June 30, 1912. In 1900, he was awarded the title of National Writer.