Gaucho Literature: History and Social Conflict in the Pampas

Gaucho Literature: Origins and Identity

Gaucho literature is a native literary tradition of the Rio de la Plata region that emerged in the late 18th century. It derives its name from the gaucho, the hero par excellence of the region.

Defining Characteristics

• Geographical Setting: The vast Pampas.
• Central Character: The gaucho.
• Core Values: A profound love for liberty.
• Expression: Distinctive rural speech patterns.
• Conflict Themes: Urban vs. rural, gaucho vs. indigenous populations, and class struggles between the wealthy and the gaucho.

The Conflict: Sarmiento vs. Hernandez

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento and José Hernández held opposing views. Sarmiento, a proponent of federal policy, viewed the gaucho as a barbarian incapable of adapting to progress. He favored European immigration and land distribution to foreigners, believing the gaucho hindered national advancement.

Conversely, Hernández defended the gaucho. He argued that the gaucho was exploited—used for military service, border defense, and fighting indigenous tribes—only to be discarded and oppressed by the government and military authorities.

Literary Purpose and Authenticity

Hernández’s work aimed to depict the authentic life of the gaucho while denouncing government oppression. He distinguished between true gauchos and those who merely adopted the aesthetic, noting that urban dwellers dressing as gauchos lacked the genuine cultural experience of the countryside.

Martin Fierro: A Deconstruction of Heroism

In Martin Fierro, the protagonist is not a traditional hero; his actions are driven by circumstance rather than inherent heroism, including the commission of two murders.

Structural Analysis

• Canto I: An introductory section establishing the setting and the character's persona.
• Cantos II–XIII: The narrative development.

The Three Geographic Stages of Gaucho Life

• Life on the Ranch: A period of happiness and stability, characterized by family life, hearth gatherings, and animal training.
• Life on the Frontier: An unfortunate stage involving forced military service. The gaucho was stripped of possessions, forced into squalid conditions, and subjected to unequal, poorly armed struggles against indigenous tribes.
• Life in the Camp: A period of profound unhappiness and displacement.

Narrative Style: The text is presented as an autobiographical account.