Glossary
Cold War Impact
The influence of the geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union on Latin American countries, often leading to political instability and ideological conflicts.
Example:
The fear of communist expansion during the Cold War Impact led to significant political interventions and social unrest across the continent.
Counterculture
A cultural movement, particularly among youth, that emerged in the 1960s and challenged traditional norms, values, and established institutions.
Example:
The rise of counterculture movements globally inspired a questioning of authority and societal expectations, themes often echoed in Boom literature.
Critique of Societal Norms
The use of literature to examine, question, and often condemn the established social hierarchies, power structures, and injustices within a society.
Example:
'La siesta del martes' offers a poignant critique of societal norms by exposing the rigid class divisions and judgmental attitudes of a small town.
El Boom Latinoamericano
A literary movement in the 1960s and 1970s where Latin American authors gained international recognition, characterized by innovative narrative techniques and a focus on complex themes.
Example:
Gabriel García Márquez's Cien años de soledad is a quintessential example of a novel from El Boom Latinoamericano, showcasing its characteristic magical realism and intricate family sagas.
El dualidad del ser
A key theme in Boom literature exploring the complex and often conflicting aspects of an individual's identity, including personal, national, and public versus private selves.
Example:
In 'Borges y yo,' the author grapples with el dualidad del ser, distinguishing between his private self and his public literary persona.
Epistolary Narrative
A literary work that is presented as a series of documents, typically letters, journal entries, or other written communications.
Example:
A novel told entirely through a collection of emails exchanged between characters would be an epistolary narrative.
Guerilla Warfare
A form of irregular warfare in which small groups of combatants use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, and raids, to fight a larger, traditional army.
Example:
The widespread guerilla warfare in several Latin American nations contributed to the pervasive sense of violence and instability reflected in the era's literature.
Military Regimes
Authoritarian governments, often led by military forces, that seized power in various Latin American countries during the mid-20th century, suppressing dissent and civil liberties.
Example:
Many authors of the Boom wrote under the shadow of oppressive military regimes, using their literature to subtly or overtly critique the lack of freedom.
Parallel Worlds
A narrative technique where two distinct realities or timelines exist and often intertwine, blurring the lines between them and creating ambiguity.
Example:
In 'La noche boca arriba,' the protagonist's hospital stay and his Aztec dream world represent parallel worlds that ultimately converge.
Power of Words
A theme emphasizing the profound impact and transformative ability of language, communication, and storytelling to influence individuals and events.
Example:
Belisa Crepuscalario in 'Dos palabras' exemplifies the power of words by selling them and using them to profoundly change a colonel's destiny.
Realismo Mágico
A literary genre where magical or fantastical elements are blended into a realistic setting, presented as ordinary occurrences, often used to explore deeper truths or societal issues.
Example:
The appearance of a man with enormous wings in a small village, treated as a mundane event, is a classic example of realismo mágico.