Baldomero Lillo's Subsole: Themes, Realism, and Literary Significance

Baldomero Lillo's Subsole: Realism and Profound Humanity

The collection Subsole groups thirteen powerful stories, set primarily on the plateau under a bright and burning sun. This setting, reflected in the title (meaning 'under the sun'), provides the backdrop for addressing diverse and profound social and human issues. Lillo is widely regarded as a master of the short story in South America.

The Thirteen Stories of Subsole

The stories included in the collection are:

• The Abduction from the Sun
• Unredemption
• The Wheel
• The Eternal Snows
• Eve of the Dead
• Gold
• The Trailer
• The Soul of the Machine
• Quilapán
• The Tramp
• Iname
• The Trap
• The Drowned

Themes and Literary Style

Subsole combines intense realism with subtle emotional depth. The book is not limited to mere description or social complaint but conveys emotion by touching certain fibers of the soul, revealing profiles of profound humanity. The themes addressed include:

• Rural life and folk customs
• The lives of fishermen
• Land tenancy issues
• Child abuse and the plight of children
• The Araucanian soul
• Allegory and fantasy

Subsole vs. Subterra: A Literary Comparison

The tales in Subsole are considered more elaborate than those in Lillo's earlier work, Subterra. They skillfully explore various literary dimensions, including manners (costumbrismo), psychological depth, dramatic tension, indigenous themes, and the fantastic.

Rafael Maluenda's Interpretation of Key Tales

Literary critic Rafael Maluenda identified four tales as "the soul of the work," recognizing their deep moral significance. These four stories involve a moral thought that is easy to recognize, symbolizing crucial human conflicts:

1. The Abduction from the Sun: Symbolizes the hope of a universal love, where a new dawn sprouts when men overcome pettiness.
2. Unredemption: Represents the significance of vanity, often the heritage of an entire class.
3. The Eternal Snows: Addresses human selfishness.
4. Gold: Focuses on the greed for wealth, which breaks all ties between men.