#AP Spanish Literature Study Guide: "El Sur" by Jorge Luis Borges

Welcome! This guide is designed to help you ace your AP Spanish Literature exam, focusing on Borges's "El Sur." Let's dive in and make sure you're fully prepared! 🚀

#🔍 Context Behind "El Sur"

#👨 Author Background

• Jorge Luis Borges: An Argentine writer, poet, and librarian. A key figure in 20th-century literature, known for his imaginative and philosophical short stories. He is a master of magical realism. 💡
• Key Style: Fantastical, philosophical, and often ambiguous.

#📜 Historical Context

• El Boom Latinoamericano: A literary movement that brought international recognition to Latin American writers. This movement broke traditional literary conventions and introduced a fresh and unique voice to the literary world. 🌍
• Magical Realism: A key characteristic of the Boom, blending magical elements with everyday reality. This allows authors to explore complex social, political, and historical issues in a unique and imaginative way. ✨
• Key Authors: Borges, Julio Cortázar, and Gabriel García Márquez.

#🧠 Need to Know About "El Sur"

#🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Characters

• Juan Dahlmann: The protagonist, a librarian with a strong connection to his Argentine heritage. He is a romantic and nostalgic individual who longs for his ancestral ranch in the South. He is torn between his city life and his romanticized vision of the South. 🏞️
• The Gaucho: An old, mysterious figure in the general store, representing the essence of the South. He is described as dark, dried up, diminutive, and situated outside of time. His actions guide Juan towards his destiny. 🐴
• The Countrymen: Aggressive and disrespectful men who provoke Juan, leading to the climactic knife fight. They embody the concept of machismo. 😠

A statue of a gaucho. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

#🤔 Literary Devices and Techniques

• Image/Imagen: Vivid descriptions of the countryside, creating a strong sense of place. Example: "Vio casas de ladrillo sin revocar..." 🖼️
• Omniscient Narrator/Narrador Omnisciente: A third-person narrator who knows all, providing an objective view of events. This creates a sense of detachment. 👁️
• Ambiguity/Ambigüedad: The dream-like nature of the narrative allows for multiple interpretations. Is Juan dreaming? What is the true meaning of the gaucho's actions? 🤔
• Foreshadowing/Prefiguración: Hints and clues about future events, such as Juan's longing for his ranch. This foreshadows his journey to the South and the events that will unfold there. 🔮
• Plot/Trama: The story revolves around Juan's journey, both physical and emotional, as he grapples with his identity and fate. 🛤️
• Splitting/Desdoblamiento: Juan's dual heritage (Germanic and Argentinian) creates an internal conflict and a split in his sense of self. This is also seen in his journey and convalescence, which can be seen as a symbolic doubling of his identity. 🎭

#📖 Summary of “El Sur”

• Background: Juan Dahlmann, a librarian, feels deeply Argentinian despite his German heritage. He longs for his ancestral ranch in the South. 🏡
• The Accident: An accident with a door frame leads to a fever and a hospital stay. The illustrations in One Thousand and One Nights take on nightmarish qualities. 🤕
• The Journey: Juan is told he can go to his ranch to convalesce. He embarks on a train journey, relishing the sights of Buenos Aires. 🚂
• The Stop: A misunderstanding leads to Juan being dropped off at an earlier station. He walks to a general store and inn. 🚶
• The Confrontation: Juan is provoked by country workers. The gaucho throws him a knife. Juan accepts the challenge, embracing his fate. 🔪

Image courtesy of Public Books

#🔗 Themes in "El Sur"

#➡️ Las sociedades en contacto

• North vs. South: The North represents practicality and Juan's Germanic heritage, while the South is romantic, mysterious, and linked to his Argentine roots. The city is in the North, while the ranch is in the South. 🏙️ ➡️ 🏞️

Image courtesy of Rawpixel.

#🇦🇷 El nacionalismo y el regionalismo

• Nationalism: Juan's deep pride in his Argentinian heritage is voluntary and nurtured through his appreciation for Argentine culture. He is not forced to be nationalistic, but he chooses to be. 🇦🇷
• Regionalism: The story emphasizes the unique landscapes and atmosphere of Buenos Aires and the South, creating a distinct regional identity. The gaucho is a symbol of the South. 🐎

#👨 El machismo

• Machismo: The aggressive behavior of the country workers and the challenge to a knife fight embody machismo. Juan's decision to accept the fight is influenced by societal expectations of masculinity. ⚔️

#⌛ La relación entre el tiempo y el espacio

• Dreamy Atmosphere: The blurring of reality and imagination through descriptions of landscapes creates a dreamy, timeless ambiance. Magical realism is used to blur the lines between reality and fantasy. ⏳

#🌟 Significance of "El Sur"

• Borges's Impact: Borges is a key figure in Latin American literature, and "El Sur" is one of his most iconic works. It has had a lasting influence on the genre of magical realism. 🌟
• Philosophical Themes: The story explores themes of identity, reality, and perception. The story's themes continue to resonate with readers and have inspired numerous literary and cultural debates. 🤔

#✍️ Comparative Works

• Similar Works: "La siesta del martes" by Gabriel García Márquez, "No oyes ladrar los perros" by Juan Rulfo, La casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca, and "El hijo" by Horacio Quiroga. These works share themes of magical realism, foreshadowing, machismo, and desdoblamiento. 📚

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics: Focus on the themes of nationalism, regionalism, machismo, and the interplay of time and space. Understand the significance of the characters and the literary devices used.

* * **Question Types:** Expect multiple-choice questions on literary devices, character analysis, and themes. Be prepared for free-response questions that require you to analyze the text in depth. 📝

#📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. What literary device is most evident in the description of the countryside in "El Sur"? a) Metaphor b) Simile c) Imagery d) Personification

2. What does the gaucho most likely symbolize in "El Sur"? a) The protagonist's fear b) The protagonist's past c) The essence of the South d) The protagonist's future

3. What is the significance of Juan's dual heritage in the story? a) It is irrelevant to the plot. b) It creates an internal conflict within him. c) It makes him more relatable to the reader. d) It highlights his love for his family.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the theme of machismo in "El Sur" by Jorge Luis Borges. How does it influence the actions and decisions of the characters, and what does it reveal about the societal expectations present in the story? Support your answer with specific examples from the text.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear statement that identifies and analyzes the theme of machismo in the story.
• Analysis of Machismo (2 points): Explanation of how machismo is portrayed through the characters' actions and interactions. (e.g., the country workers' aggression, Juan's decision to fight).
• Examples from the Text (2 points): Specific examples of machismo from the text. (e.g., the provocation at the general store, the knife fight challenge).
• Societal Expectations (2 points): Explanation of how the story reflects societal expectations of masculinity. (e.g., the need to prove one's honor, the pressure to engage in violence).
• Clarity and Organization (1 point): A well-organized and clearly written response with a logical flow of ideas.

Good luck! You've got this! 💪 Remember to review this guide and stay confident. You are well-prepared to excel on your AP Spanish Literature exam. 🎉