Issues in Latin America. Sociocultural contrasts and their representations in contemporary literature

Sorina-Crina Ghiață

doi:10.17684/i12a173en

Abstract

Starting with the independence process of all the territories once colonies and later, overseas territories of the different states of Western Europe, Latin America meant an association of unique paradoxes. Portugal and Spain have dominated in the past, especially from a linguistic and religious perspective,the current space that became avaried cultural environment. In this context, the aim of this study is to capture, in the introductory part, characteristics of the Latin American complex identity(reflected, for example, in the names associated with this space of civilization, in political circumstances and social issues, in particular). In addition, another purpose is to highlight the way in which these aspects are considered in the prose of modern Latin American writers, Rodrigo Rey Rosa and Héctor Abad Faciolince. At the same time,emphasizing the scourge of discrimination or inequality, but especially the perpetual violence, thestudyconcludes with a reference (also found in the literary discourse of the two texts chosen for analysis, Los sordos and El olvido que seremos) to the ethical spirit, but also to the feeling of empathy—subjects approached by both writers—in a world that seems more and more fragmented and depersonalized, as if it has been occupied by a continuous stigma of imbalance.

Highlights

Another purpose is to highlightthe way in which these aspects are considered in the prose of modern LatinAmericanwriters, Rodrigo Rey Rosa and Héctor Abad Faciolince
When we talk about Latin American literature today, we inevitably refer to authors who, in their works, through the adopted theme, reflect fundamental issues of everyday life in Latin America
Regarding the Latin American literary works, Los sordos5 (2012) is the first text analyzed in this study and belongs to Rodrigo Rey Rosa, a Guatemalan writer

Summary

Generalities

When we talk about Latin American literature today, we inevitably refer to authors who, in their works, through the adopted theme, reflect fundamental issues of everyday life in Latin America. In terms of the historical, social, cultural and economic context that defines the southern territory of the New World, Latin America has proven to be, since its birth, so different from other places marked and definitively transformed by civilization, throughout history. The American continent has been, since its discovery and until now, a part of the world immersed in conquest campaigns, revolts, revolutions, wars, and dominated by totalitarian political regimes, referring, to countries bordering the United States to the south and the Caribbean. We can say that this territory of the world has not been left out of the crisis situations, nor has it been exempted from the tumult of history that has transformed it into an environment full of contrasts (some political, geographical, others social, more above all, and culturally).

Denominations associated with the Latin American sociocultural space

Concerns in modern literary discourse

The confession of a dramatic experience

Conclusions