DONOSO, A NARRATIVE CYCLE OF FICTION By EVE
Transcription
DONOSO, A NARRATIVE CYCLE OF FICTION By EVE
DONOSO, A N A R R A T I V E C Y C L E OF FICTION By EVE B.A., The MARIE University SHAMASH of A THESIS SUBMITTED IN British Columbia, PARTIAL FULFILLMENT 1977 OF THE R E Q U I R E M E N T S FOR T H E D E G R E E OF MASTER OF ARTS in THE FACULTY (Department of We a c c e p t to THE OF GRADUATE S T U D I E S ' Hispanic this the and thesis required Italian as conforming standard U N I V E R S I T Y OF B R I T I S H September Eve M a r i e Studies) COLUMBIA 1984 Shamash, 1984 In p r e s e n t i n g t h i s t h e s i s i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l m e n t o f the requirements f o r an advanced degree a t the U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h Columbia, I agree t h a t the L i b r a r y s h a l l make it freely a v a i l a b l e f o r r e f e r e n c e and study. I further agree t h a t p e r m i s s i o n f o r e x t e n s i v e copying o f t h i s f o r s c h o l a r l y purposes may be granted by the head o f my department o r by h i s o r her r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . understood t h a t copying or p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h i s for financial gain permission. Department o f DE-6 (.3/81) It i s thesis s h a l l not be allowed without my The U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h 1956 Main Mall Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Y3 thesis Columbia written ABSTRACT This E thesis ste—do-mingo > studies -EJ. lugar noche ) o f the C h i l e a n The thesis cycle theme destruction. destruction on fantasy, Parallel to this Donoso's literary techniques traditional of This the the next, grotesque increasing and on t h e i r r a t i o n a l . emphasis on the u n r e a l , t h i s study increased experimentation with innovative as t h e novels move towards a t o t a l r e j e c t i o n and i t s a t t r i b u t e s of v e r i s i m i l i t u d e . In proposes that the archetypal structure of the de l a noche i s v i t a l development i n each n o v e l and from one n o v e l t o i n a c y c l i c a l c o n t e x t . The t h e s i s uses t h e a n a l y s i s o f destruction structure. the Coronacion t o E l obsceno pajaro archetypal elements on novel with t o be the most s i g n i f i c a n t . thematic outlines The t h e s i s demonstrates t h a t t h e theme o f Donoso's w r i t i n g : Henry James and V7illiam Faulkner study from the de i a f i c t i o n which i s l i n k e d together by a common realism on are considered to EI obsceno p a i a r o n a r r a t i v e t e c h n i q u e , t h i s study p o i n t s out key l i t e r a r y influences novels , ( Cpronacion , t h a t these four n o v e l s form a coherent increasing outlines terms sin limites i s developed i n each s u c c e s s i v e emphasis of four novels / proposes of first author Jose Donoso, born i n 1924. narrative of the structure i s organized to and demonstrate orchestrated. how the This theme study of also the main b i o g r a p h i c a l , e x i s t e n t i a l and p s y c h o a n a l y t i c a l which are integrated into the broader archetypal The archetypal approach of restating and basis and analysis Northrop l a r g e l y f o l l o w s the Frye. reshaping This of analysis recurrent methodological outlines Donoso's archetypes which are the of the b i b l i c a l myths t h a t bourgeois s o c i e t y has c u l t i v a t e d which Donoso presents This thesis i n a demonic i n v e r s i o n . concludes that the B i b l e , as myth, p r o v i d e s synthesizing archetypal fiction proposes t h a t the m y t h i c a l mainly and organized by a s t r u c t u r e to Donoso's n a r r a t i v e c y c l e of apocalyptic patterns imagery and i n the novel are demonic parody, an i n v e r s i o n of C h r i s t i a n b e l i e f s . The study presentation fall of of the Donoso's process first of four novels as a mytho-poetic d e s t r u c t i o n and demonstrates the a e s t h e t i c u n i t y , beauty and s i g n i f i c a n c e which make Donoso a great - iii - writer. of the the eternal richness of T A B L E OF CQNTE17T5 PAGE ABSTRACT i i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS C H A P T E R ONE v •'. 1 C H A P T E R TWO 25 CHAPTER THREE 66 C H A P T E R FOUR 102 CHAPTER F I V E 131 CONCLUSION 151 BIBLIOGRAPHY 156 - i v - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I and would Dr. Derek l i k e t o thank Dr. Isaac Ruoio, Dr. Maria Tomsich Carr for their c o n t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e form o f s u g g e s t i o n s , support and p a t i e n c e . I would also like to thank worthv/hile. v - my f a m i l y who made i t a l l This thesis i s dedicated to Sarah, R a c h e l , David and l i t t l e - vi Gabriel Chapter Jose public Donoso in is South recognized America today and America, as Latin American w r i t e r . Although the are s t i l l Latin, American alive Donoso's is well fourth book recognition and success works. the "boom" Cedomil «creaciones to notables El contemporanea"l. as of . . America."2 la t h e most Many o t h e r noche Hernan one in similar Vidal, as Donoso l a noche (1970) (Emir obsceno pajaro se eleva is described Rodrigues associated l a noche como u n a la to emerge El obsceno the from las book Latin pajaro Hugo Donald de in literatura describes Monegal, Quinteros, brought outstanding de en P h i l i p Ward Isis and the period's powerful novels Zunilda Gertel, de imaginacio'n c r i t i c s have terms of novela la interesting such The n o v e l one in novels. pajaro author. as extent "boom" novelists new reading the the hispanbamericana ". successful, publicity esta de a lesser stimulated counted " . . . to c r i t i c s consider obsceno appraises terms: mas most be o v e r , El which and Goic following to novel, the the and, and p u b l i s h i n g clearly with c r i t i c s and by t h e established, novel and w e l l by Europe North of a one de Achugar, Shaw, Ronald Shwartz)3. Donoso has chronology which of he written the imitates classifying Latin situates 1965 as "boom": the 1970). own ironic Historia trend American to his set by writers Donoso's - 1 personal - critics of the "ranking interpretation d e l boom in (1972), categorizing period order" is and in and (which he similar or identical to that articles: an elite Donoso and Cortazar, of fact Donoso, Lima, appears in critical Fuentes, G a r c i a Marquez, Vargas period. This along with Cabrera consistently "superboom" l e a v e s his Historia writers Infante, in personal Salvador Sarduy, Jorge classification are reputation occurs appear personal del already been convenient excellent It and among but firmly boom , Donoso's last two own boom niche. to classification a and what literary will Safnz, to Naturally and some standing disappear; critical o r "boom categories particular will in this Gustavo e s t a b l i s h e d . As Donoso w r o t e the reduced division and i n Borges continues h i s own s p e c i a l the himself Sanchez, Edwards and many o t h e r s . variations overlapping Nestor and o c c u p i e s by t h e the second-file d i v i s i o n junior": there the rest O n e t t i , S a b a t o , P u i g and The y o u n g e r w r i t e r s compose t h e t h i r d defy Llosa, s u c h as R u l f o , Roa d e l boom he p l a c e s Garmendia, and r e f e r r e d t o a s t h e " g r a t i n " by category. Severo essays t o be d i v i d e d among t h e " p r o t o b o o m " , f o l l o w e d Lezama Vinas, of dominates t h i s junior". Bastos, i n most a n t h o l o g i e s , of superstars, composed the f i e l d "boom found and in Historia indeed i t has artifact for are few remain a novels. i s the o r i g i n a l i t y surpassing trends o f Donoso's c r e a t i o n , p r o j e c t e d beyond and c a t e g o r i e s , w h i c h h a s won h i m u n i v e r s a l recognition. Donoso's (1966), noche coherent El first luaar (1970), four novels: sin create limites his n a r r a t i v e process Coronaciop (1967), personal culminating - 2 - (1957), E s t e domingo E l QbscenQ pajflCQ de l a image of the world in a i n E l obsceno p a j a r o de l a noche . This contains The of the as r e a l i s m and its The of Donoso's in is logical fiction Donoso's technique his original new direction more vision. in attributes of surmises4, perhaps new a direction 80's. this latest set novelitas la is dominated noche which on the repetition by the emphasis with main on the technical traditional that is and the after in his novels, la Marquesita narrative. de and hypothesis. - 3 - of campo and the world , is - not represents a returns a As Ronald that to realistic Schwartz will narrative (1978), to noche changes the and (1980), appear of destroys la by anti-novel", de L o r i a burguesas What (1973) characterized Casa theme - de the novel novelists several conclusion pajaro burguesas "anti ends destruction. vision literary career; an dominant change. his and in function of obsceno distinct novelitas the logical object El completes and p r e s a g e d u l t i m a t e and L a t i n American de Tres is the r e j e c t i o n of Coronacion technique, desaparicion by de expressing Tres by experiments f a i r l y conventional for Donoso's in a Donoso's traditional pajaro itself in fiction grotesque, increasing total character shows the of verisimilitude. its that on and the and cycle together themes stories to his narrative Donoso's of short The It linked towards begun taken - are obsceno process narrator- himself. El fantasy, develops attributes is on P a r a l l e l to moves early destruction a narrative constant he reason narrative the of author innovations the novels destruction. unreal, ends emphasis four development theme novel increasing irrational. and last La mark in a the misteriosa continue the trend confirm Schwartz's In this narrative cycle, analyzed as mentioned by the these thesis, the unifying are element mansions, home splendors of aspects Chilean scenario main expressed in Donoso's n a r r a t i v e to a four past - the stage constant own constant the e x t e r n a l order of The and theme four metamorphosis that ambiguous nature describir un asi, juego in of novels that decaying all emerge destruction is fictional and mutations, rigid explore from the process of Donoso desintegro. has order y uno s o l o . mascaras, violentamente."5 4 - collapse around is Donoso's selves in through vision of the that : "Al es, por realidad como personaje trapos. from repeated destruction Veo l a these repeated of inner stated Un characters, the their social repeatedly i n the to Donoso's personal reality. - another that free disfraces, turn, relationships search to lo In the disintegration t r e i n t a personajes de The f o u r provided for e r e c t e d by s o c i e t y a continuous personaje of and briefly setting, eventual corresponds of themes. nostalgic personalities a repressively novels cycle world the of Donoso's reality futile studied past. their the for themes progressive in their all of a oligarchy and s e r v a n t s . the and novels moribund of Donoso's of constant - of confines of a complete u n i t . We have the fragmentation the a global as be in the characters will Chilean of fragmentations novels l i n k e d to a p a r t i c u l a r in un of in the d i s i n t e g r a t i o n characters. four works development masters various The and the between decirlo parts the thematic u n i t y themes Donoso's individual constituting repetition evolve viewing La deshago In Donoso's first four repressed and bourgeois s o c i e t y , emerges Primitive and as instincts madness. the the hidden the from the sexuality conventions the that is established by characters' as c a t a l y s t s unleashing unconscious. v i o l e n c e , death Madness, f o r Donoso's a l i e n a t e d c h a r a c t e r s , masks and appears form o f r e a l i t y , which f r e e s the s e l f disguises inherent to hierarchical from social In t h e s t r a t i f i e d world of r i c h and poor, masters and servants, the mutations under act most a u t h e n t i c structures. novels, as play they of search masks evolves for their with the characters' " t r u e " s e l v e s among another c l a s s i n a danse macabre t h a t i n e v i t a b l y leads t o v i o l e n c e . Donoso's characters express h i s v i s i o n o f the ambiguity o f human reality. while p r i m i t i v e i n s t i n c t s represent limits of a existential instincts They a r e a l i e n a t e d , l e a d i n g i n a u t h e n t i c l i v e s and repressive isolation and destruction and offer an answer t o t h e i r i n a meaningless u n i v e r s e , responses of culture a p o s s i b l e s a l v a t i o n from t h e the are ultimately characters. This these p r i m i t i v e t h e cause of chaos and process of primitive mechanisms s t r a i n i n g the c h a r a c t e r s ' t i e s t o apparent r e a l i t y and destroying t h e i r masks, thereby c r e a t i n g a new r e a l i t y o f p a s s i o n and hate and d e s i r e and c o n f l i c t s r e s u l t i n g i n madness and death, is a p e r s i s t e n t motive i n Donoso's f i r s t of the main destructive theme of mechanism i n the human psyche i s p a r t o f t h e destruction, an ( p a r a d o x i c a l l y ) a l l of Donoso's f i r s t As the conjunction four n o v e l s . T h i s motive element four which sustains novels. study of thematic u n i t y and thematic development, i n with the p a r a l l e l development of Donoso's n a r r a t i v e - 5 - techniques a in narrative points of is loss are a l l are the and the four fall, biblical based on which into neat f i t Donoso's use of of the perception infinite mechanisms of metaphors the of novels vital to novel to A the the framework structuring of writer method exorcises biographical own his element, the of as and personal own narrative of the symbols contrary, with He the the irrational in the organization pajaro each his uses r e a l i t y expressed de novel his in From of - 6 - is obsessive la noche and from the another world. layers of dreams, novels this catharsis past. part system On elements images, stated, ghosts Donoso's merely through unconscious flow of often in and of is one context. Donoso's Donoso sexuality, developed archetypal in salient society not as paradise, of reality. obsceno psychoanalytical As a El of desires. is to a cyclical subterranean process The development explore of interior lost consistent channeled in to his myth Coronacion the away nature the bourgeois closed is viewed outlined. violence are and be the .patterns. unconscious. reality, chasing novels elements characters' in fall, the are thesis, should themes defined ambiguous factor psychoanalysis his allegorical thematic next, eternal main which this approach the a well their from of mythical his of c u l t i v a t e d by course possibilities novels, innocence, myths Of structures focus the of basis novels. four critical corruption structural first the appropriate inevitable the first author's cycle, an The the sense, and this He of of are related interior repressed a means the genesis of of the of creative l i b e r a t i o n as point uses view, the the creative process, In assumes each more novel, we autopsychoanalysis of aesthetic personal are value his This Donoso reaches greater the will the configurating and human also It the world which determines the strong in analysis Donoso's background how an social, each n o v e l original profound is to ideologically interested validity in nor I not the their factors provide in in and innerworld of fiction The and author's to us as he of these in the who o f f e r s themes author. truth. the As of I he don't field - 7 of - social of human and which novels. have as well path as to relevant contextual understanding m u l t i p l e components as with. believe in ". He . l i t e r a t u r e is who is . I believe their a be. a message or neither into i t presents r e a l i t y may us and outlined literary deals I work are c r e a t i v e process Donoso s a i d : ideas. of concept significance this which vision four we and links his his the that disturbing novels believe that of a critical rich an a u t h o r oriented significance become general psychoanalytical, is resolve of and personal coherence synthesis r e a l i t y , however answer either. its writers. level thematic foundation itself - creation Donoso an in on t h e philosophical information past the communicated author's the the key archetypal, historical, other reality. Donoso's the is narrative biographical, of narrative of of memories is focus is in The in language. elements reality. levels his and reality than surpasses imaginary this own o r i g i n a l study moment nightmares into of i n Donoso how in obsessions, interpretation beings see and transformed creates importance has not am in an not their permanence, something more oneiric, of much more the the themes author's that in assign the to expresses meaning from E l reading the another raised of one, la a l l noche pajaro it de in turn its on la coincided with the "boom" recognition, rereading 1961, on D o n o s o . had (when already Latin Latin Yanez, Pedro Paramo profundos by rios Carlos Onetti virtually had unknown The : "My the unities the t e x t but as Emir I in and we Rodrigues sense experience believed I immediately (or a stage a defined when was illegitimate) of while entangled in with as a t h i r d which internal ambiguity Ever in the again fact El obsceno d i r e c t i o n from earlier since has that of most new w a v e a flourishing El of and in the p u b l i c a t i o n of been appearance obsceno the major achieved of by Rulfo, Jose Maria already Hijo general. and - as 8 - Al filo de h o m b r e by 1 Arguedas, been Chile such El published, i n most of de novels of Roa these and Although by Foundation del agua Bastos, a s t i l l e r o by South of pajaro activity received the W i l l i a m Faulkner novels El international critical literature in American in that there a whole Coronacion major poche a change American Award) la grasping been p u b l i s h e d generating of the noche works the to c a r r i e d me t o on D o n o s o . la order aspects ambiguity".7 critical noche of got represents commentaries obsceno de legitimate emphasis 1 critical as analyzing new is d e f i n i t e meaning. precisely and w h i c h Monegal s de pajaro presents each n o v e l can g i v e one meaning, in By elusiveness was was t h e theme pajaro the work Donoso and we any obsceno a that previous texts novel Each dialogue. them Monegal possession preoccupy interior repetitions can't subconscious".6 works America by Los Juan were (other than in their literary was countries innovation of that o r i g i n ) . Therefore, marked the genesis as later critics would devote c r i t i c s were mainly C h i l e a n s , viewing The falls critical into exceptions two recent tend production taking the Latin "new" development they of the traditional decadent Donoso's to viewing point and his social verisimilitude of competence reproducing social with classes. the Donoso story his the generation as in cuento referred a of 1950 Donoso narrative own as logically There are some the main t r e n d s : of chileno 9 "China", published 1) eighties in Donoso's early of the development of w e l l as the production; novelistic 2) E a r l i e r critical e a r l y to m i d - s i x t i e s emphasizing what narrative with C h i l e a n within the context r e a l i s m . These e a r l y c r i t i c s in accurate psychological and was tend p o r t r a y a l of and situations, his to the linguistic different Donoso's e a r l y a s s o c i a t i o n which encouraged c r i t i c s was included by Enrique to typecast short i n A n t o l o g i a d e l nuevo Lafourcade i n 1954, the authors i n t h i s anthology as the - 9 - of sociological p a r t i c u l a r speech h a b i t s of it social s o c i a l l y o r i e n t e d w r i t e r . His f i r s t p u b l i s h e d Spanish, to readings characters Perhaps context.8 the s e v e n t i e s and out Donoso's s k i l l bourgeoisie, in of be Donoso's p r e o c c u p a t i o n Chilean constantly represent propose American fifties and on categories. categories early i t . Donoso's e a r l y in a Chilean i n t o account the process within perceived reality general to to available commentaries critics v/orks basic but these two more which bibliography him of of the boom p e r i o d , not given as much c r i t i c a l a t t e n t i o n i n the f i f t i e s and sixties The the process "generacio'n who del 50". In 1959, title Cuentos This Lafourcade de debate definite account Donoso's and accompli" for referred to "generacion and of existing 50" a to the generation with a (Center both degree Personal of is of of in sense which of the Inter-American category own in Relations, much a it to (largely became is a "fait standardly of provides 50". a The framework s i t u a t e Donoso and a t t e n t i o n on Donoso this as as an category expresses Spanish answer provided N.Y. this American it part l i t e r a r y consciousness Donoso Boom render who w e r e p r e s e n t e d his stimulation. t r i e d to generation importantly, of of Donoso that critical More new subject himself) and the in with the characteristics.10 critics important 38. articles Lafourcade trends a of a generational young w r i t e r s of History for by amount group of itself spate this same a n t h o l o g y . was member literary of with "a an u n u s u a l Donoso in subsequent as 50 generation's promoted del new a whole this the del label inclusion publicized focused generacio'n generational critical of la reissued and in his Literature 1977): "Nearly a l l t h e o t h e r C h i l e a n w r i t e r s o f my g e n e r a t i o n the so-called generation of 50 t h a t i t i s s a i d t o have been invented by Enrique Lafourcade, who was strongly criticized for t h i s i n v e n t i o n , w h i c h g a v e me my first r e a l l i t e r a r y s t i m u l u s and a c o n s c i o u s n e s s of what I was able t o do - w e r e i n t h e same p o s i t i o n a s I." ( p . 23) By 1968, destacada was not y prestigiosa only generation, of Latin Cedomil Goic de considered he was American also referred to la generacion the major achieving literature. - - as "la a c t u a l " . By Chilean recognition The 10 Donoso figura then, novelist in the Donoso of larger William Faulkner mas his orbit Foundation Prize was Carlos in New York and in Spain. reviews 1966 Wider and Times , Spectator , and 1968, second both emphasized Subsequently version 1965. Barral , to published Italian version novel D o n o s o v/as m a r k e d York , Supplement An was (due d i s t r i b u t e d the of New Shprt F i c t i o n Times Book Abroad by Review Review Saturday BPPKS the In 1968, In this of a of Donoso's the author's Cedomil article, as opposed canon of traditional concentrates to on to , , , Hispania , the Sarduy in article signals previous importance of on end critics. The themes Freudian in and viev; Donoso of the critic Donoso's elements Goic published w h i c h made earlier realism. to it an the Andres of technically r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of readings Goic analysis of in the used Coronacion he develops - 11 article Rodriguez - "new" the study of an the term " e x i s t e n c i a e x i s t e n t i a l i s t aspects published innovative the his 1968 Coronacion the novel w i t h i n in which 1967 the constant lugar from which to Abalos in El (English v e r s i o n s Nuevol2 of and novels. the refer domingo Monegal's Goic p o i n t e d out novel Este perspective Rodriguez Mundo and 1966 wider in Coronacion inautentica" in persistence world of t h i r d novels Emir 1967 the 14 Seix the published critics reading limites in recognition in and narrative. Severo in London 1961. etc.11 "social" aspects in in in .13 later critical published structure English studies allowed narrative the novel's Literary limites Donoso's in London) Donoso's 1972) Coronacion commentaries (of observer sin to Fuentes' e f f o r t s ) followed in awarded on E l Monegal's which also . luoar sin statement that "El mundo El travest^ . real o simbolico, infernal"15. lugar sin aparencia He w r i t e s limites de inversion metonimica de progresion narrativa". mascara Donoso puesto had of moved European Latin and and explains new es in exiles. in which the him article what uses the the contingent Perhaps in the of this in concepts Baudry c o u l d be c a l l e d t h e Le partly the world and J e a n - L o u i s of Spanish were p u b l i s h e d newspapers.16 de Donoso t h e r e f o r e more p a r t on la (sin in to Donoso. in la esa heroe interesting approaches Barthes, of domina el ( cadena y barba: que "fashionableness" Derrida, decir, una w i t h him appeared Sarduy's orbit is este "realidad" included a large articles increased Lacan, Donoso ella) European criticism. of por Interviews newspapers, major contaminado article la de l a novela es pintadas es a n d was de en s i : esa 1967 secreta transpuestos, "Cejas critical "scene" inversion mascara: Sarduy's Spain other la clave travestismo, desenlaces una to literary places todo Donoso's theories es evolution of Italian es la significado el He c o n c l u d e s : the American Monde de (p.73). literary "El que sexual, que que enuncia" context mas "vuelcos", enmascarada limites, ) that: es "Tel of and and Quel" clique. The Barral books publication in on literary book El obsceno stimulated the Donoso's most Vidal's (Ediciohes Jose novel with his Donoso. Aubi, completely dedicated to pajaro appearance recent production beginning Hernan instintos 1970 of of as de numerous well earliest Spain, studying Donoso's 12 - as noche y 1972) by Seix articles his short surrealismo Gerona, - la and previous stories. r e b e l i o n de was novels. the Vidal los first uses Jungian theories unconscious is in many another of mundo the myth in , of to interpret a period Cornejo Polar, 1975), world is where in the society book: narrative She points psychoanalysis and psychoanalytical 1979) them his to Achugar Garcia de obsceno the a un Cambeiro pajaro a cycle. of de Antonio development of the to as "el Donoso Donoso. cycle out the una insurreccion Madrid, first rooted four own of a very the Chilean debt complex development is within enormous progressively his novels in Donoso's Donoso's to 1978) contra to structural mythical and elements. (Centro Caracas, El To represented on t h e c o h e r e n c e referring Donoso's novels Achugar's Donoso work. destruccion end o f and Ediciones, of links Donoso's Jose de a Hugo is critics destruccion." framework of La to the importance novel Fernando emphasis marking and view Donoso's Donoso, Donoso, analysis aspects as the comprehensive background. the published last from Coronacion seen (Hispanova of this by A n t o n i o Qu'interos' realidad that to In destruction Isis from which clear analyses la was Donoso. which de burguesas for Aires, Polar novelista was narrative noche theme novelitas direction Buenos Cornejo Jose and characters perspective it (edited Donoso's la Tres critics change la c o n f l i c t s of 1973, yet Ed., archetype transformation. In had of book: de Estudios analyses subsequent concentrates Ideologia on y Estructuras Latinoamericanos Donoso's novels, early short covering Donoso's - 13 - Narrativas Romulo stories the period rejection of an en Gallegos, and links 1950-1970. alienated society (as in expressed Este domingo George is aimed with a more and Donoso's particular and Monegal, Ediciones up of unity development of , _JLL domingo which Other multidisciplinary group of study (in sociological sociological relationship including by Antonio (in 1981) in Boston 1979) previous books the of survey novelitas Freudian of a l l of burguesas , elements and V i d a l , Achugar, Quinteros, the Cornejo Emir have critics on was Latino of text as 14 paiaro is as society. it Este de la representative of methodology. A Coronacion 1980) a of cycle. D'Auiourd 'hui D'Editions, - , by literary critics. emphasis - found parallel Coronacion analyse and literature the a narrative to Americaine and with obsceno are I and understanding critical used Generale El Donoso sociologists ideological the viewed in useful fiction. a better , and current approach Union on D o n o s o ' s conjunction Rodriguez Hispanoamericana, a l l provided technique limites in reading in Polar, Narrativa achieving studies between Series, than Tres use Nueva narrative sin Literature and games straightforward development these Paris, public information historians, Cerisy, myths, elements. helpful trends (Twayne on D o n o s o ' s and recent different and Donoso's of , reading Shaw lvigac a l l Donoso fairly by and of imagination. Madrid, insights thematic de to Donald particularly noche a i d e o l o g i c a l models criticism Catedra, relevant them general articles and the emphasis books the Jose existentialist The essays and presents fiction Sartrean ) McMurray's at mentioned through good , Their Colloque with a strong example focusses a on of a the Pamela Willed Bacarisse in Process of Fiction, Seven Essays Academic Press, "symbolically in systematic process lose by of i t . of "ontological fear "engulfment", Bacarisse what schizophrenic swallowed another up, Bacarisse process work of that obsceno (p.29). basic drowned, she supposed that is de telling Pamela outline significance of - up, a l l series his story so of approach than - 15 - of order typical - who and or more symptoms says be a of that "to enclosed, in or by Pamela originality in one he w i l l of reduce the lies might expect nature. says not the exploring significance. in stifled be novel schizophrenia to of patients to Bacarisse explanation study Laing autobiographical that defence consists of is comprehension."17 self-revelation P. of story smothered, great of internal identity life a embracing , rather is be the depersonalization" engulfed, to for schizophrenic and Scottish novel description is noche a case his (p.27). la pseudopsychoanalytical of Laing's American the a series insecurity" is Bacarisse's of us Donoso's not of noche; that basically Hudito's eaten suggests pajaro narrator tells evasion, of which la Latin accounts terms R.D. "El correctly claims in insecurity", that he person's she narrator ontological understood and de Bacarisse, suggests "petrification concludes accurately, 1980), quotes pajaro Salvador autodestruction She cases obsceno Contemporary by novel the El (in Edited the used be Evasion Edinburgh, mechanisms to essay autobiographical" contradictions not her and novel other the in In that a El "The understood." follows uses to the Laing's one levels level of Salvador which Donoso their Bacarisse states that "could said reflect societies, Yet, Donoso least obvious does reflect current Latin American Dorfman's American thesis 90% de de manana" (p.15) is Dorfman en que imposible que los latinoamericano esta novels, of es the violencia va danza la de salida personaje ya si a no cada uno se y la a siente No soporta ." explanation destruction repeatedly herir es de que los los pequena, a los Latin sin . . ." "en saber absurda, su y energia of dominance of characters. - 16 - the (p.37). is In the donde que en una thesis in personaje por bailando: la parece mediocre Dorfman's manifested por u n mundo es alia American personajes" (p.26). the mas .El hombres dema's, fuerza engendrado todo estan present, amenazado, position culpable a in violencia. enredado, saben agresion . y vivera of guerra que si eviten. la desatando interesting fictional y la untenable dificil destruccion. mismo. amenaza la At social mundo that issues.19 de (p.11). siquiera un in the product continuo, reflected "en issues precisely is sistema "autodestruccion hombre no saber personajes atando un in social America saqueo por condenado says geografia" that characters sexual, su "creada says the cada un inevitably imposiblemente autolimita, Latin de toda habitantes violencia, Donoso's en violence sus literature. that prolongada, fratricida al is social way way."18 Dorfman Latin Donoso's an Ariel y contra in critic, civil todo not r e a l l y no current marxist violencia result to is a Briefly, "una at be there y se y la macabre buscan una cuando el se dirije offers an theme of disintegration of the Zunilda terms: the Gertel20 "Myths are boundaries world ruled, by (vertical axis); axis) 3) and axis). ambiguity" formula of states His some their Chronology numerous which his Different should be although I themselves in I and suggest this have organization the is horizontal structure, vertical resolves me. A n o t h e r and the Gertel dissolution transformational the obverse of what particular a new critical to). Donoso misleading is most Personal us useful or unhelpful enlightening History with a of the wealth information and amusing. Boom a s of about when well as biographical the context in written. critical shall sure of at passage, a basic turn not are provide were used am as found opposition metamorphosis in belongs other novels (I works, 27 and is to are 1) intermediary inversion authors interviews background used (p.22) and algebraic transformation process: ambiguous continual in the balance Every ordered "the myth form and (new p a r a d i g m a t i c implies methodology Although discussing "The of where (transit remains reverse transformation" and that it algebraic mutation. mediation that: the this recurring but figures category; ending claims use supernature transformation (p.23), these school a 2) Gertel in a logical a never however, Donoso's expressed of undergoes explains quite approaches to Donoso's profitably to complement refrain several from algebraic appropriate novels each equations. approaches can other, The which and novels will be study. already and mentioned the psychoanalytical - 17 - importance elements in of the archetypal thematic development narrative been of Donoso's cycle. The under These moments as are socio-ideological and the p h i l o s o p h i c a l context are a l l of existing each can be seems clear father in influence, literary to Borges). short English the writer's us has a also analysis like of (as in literature workshop Henry in in James world as of the text and historical reach a a clearer expressed framework and of his in his already also case Chile Iowa. in in of at a sixties was that his Freudian in Donoso's l i t e r a t u r e goes back Cortazar wrote his taught and first English creative writing often mentioned recognizes it Chilean Chronology Fuentes, he of influences the prevalent taught and analysis read Freud. Donoso has - 18 - in Princeton, links past generation, childhood, and the the early anglosaxon studied of f i f t i e s and was of in prevalent had the and the major most English English, specific the The mentions influence at factors to forces the twenties learned in for as period. existentialism, Donoso and admiration early youth stories an between be d i s c u s s e d . In Donoso m i l i e u . The Donoso's in currents, the existentialism milieu. like of and will Donoso, the the enabling vision outlined. by intellectual viewed appearing relationship political traditions that influenced are elements some were w r i t t e n w i t h i n framework briefly products historical novels this and elements and literacy novel The Donoso's society Donoso's biographical reflecting process. society, particular which particularly relevant cultural history understanding of novels discussion. novels in four importance already-mentioned the novels first with at his him. Both Emir Rodriguez Donoso's use and creation his of discussed in interview with once of i t " . Donoso says some day. Aside i n Donoso and to going won't be once said: the the to to . express of remarks Monegal,23 so fine that quotes that he w o u l d I idea a deeper ideas want them an characters Henry Donoso, like this I a novel. saw in an are not literature" useful in understanding and I essay. an Eliot of an applied to symbols in and their Donoso p r a c t i c a l ideas If be in a shadow similarity lies express James a comment never to will and m e s s a g e s . To q u o t e to in refer (this individual novels). James, . If express by from s p e c i f i c s i m i l a r i t y of novels ". Quinteros22 s i m i l a r l y used fictional had a mind again:24 not similar James:"He violated Isis symbols Rodriguez idea aversion of and Emir about characters specific the context made himself Monegal I am write a novel, it As (p.39). Gertrude The Stein influences I i have mentioned context and in Finally, Donoso's communicates in the the themes, The vital his moment writer and significance novels personal he of leads and to the narrative fundamental of vision creates manipulates images study are Donoso's his situating assessing are his verbal own language. structures heart of determining fiction. - 19 - words, Donoso's and in a more the writer an a e s t h e t i c object The of analysis dialogue, how symbols, artistic creation. structure the exact writing. structures: and p r o d u c e s technique in Donoso in the novels aesthetic value is and Chapter 1. mundo Cedomil (Buenos A i r e s : 2. Philip Literature 3. and exact 1970, 73, Madrid, Fall, Donoso As found Reviews d e s t r u c t i o n de Ed, Nomads. 1975), Companion Press, 1978), be d i s c u s s e d at p. un 124. to Spanish p. 17. greater length provided. Exiles Narrative p. and Emigres. (N.J.London, The Rebirth Scarecrow Press, cuentos", primarily IlUStradP Chilean published of , for Inter-American his La Nacion or p. in Santiago, Indice , No. 288, Atenea (No. 15, 1958), El 378, 13, p. criticism 39. 1957; published - of 19, El 1957), La y Other Diario , Atenea 1958), "Dos "Veraneo - Coronacio'n November to newspapers. 16,1955. in Noticias Reviews are Arrietas: October (January - Monegal, N.Y. Chilean February October 20 in D^as Early Mercurio - early Reman Ultimas magazines. in Relations, of were Las Rodriguez 38-39. Santiago, stories , Emir published of Mercurio, short newspapers reviews pseudonym Mercurio, El by expected, examples in "Alone", El Donoso, Josi i n t e r v i e w , Monegal, cuentos", reviews Center be appeared 72. with might by (January will with Jose'Donoso, Interview 8. otros la 106. 6. be Oxford University views American Interview 7. The Oxford Schwartz, Donoso, G a r c i a Cambeiro ed., critics' Latin 5. Review others), Fernando (Oxford: notes bibliographical references p. XXVI, (and Ward Ronald the 1980) , These 4. of Goic one a l l were Ercilla Gaceta (March 9, (March 15, Este 1958), 1958). Domingo mid-sixties, joined and a June 1959 Donoso publications and talked about examples ocaso de Coronacion 9. una Fernando Donoso, clase" anthology included the Balmaceda, Alfonso Espinosa, Garcia, Gloria generacion In "generacion del p u b l i s h e d by following critics had been American and other review i n Marcha i n Sur , May commentaries de en to of on La Chile,Zigzag, s t i l l con que se d e s c r i b i a literary element 50 Extremo, 1959, the Aguirre, Guillermo Edwards, Mario , Zigzag, Santiago authors: Blanco, Jorge Maria Yolanda Montaldo, Sanbueza. baptized the Fernando A l e g r i a essential Guillermo Ricardo Guerra, Eugenia 1970, , Santiago the Echeverria, Pablo Molleto, as by critical fuerza realista in el in . In t h i s Lafourcade "gran XX as reviews but Coronacioli of e a r l y late del siglo the of Noticlas devoting a r t i c l e s Rosa C h a c e l ' s o u t s i d e o f C h i l e ) . As chjlena novels, m a g a z i n e s and review Ultimas also carried of European, North and 1958 rare 1958), Las subsequent newspapers, Benedetti's are literatura Cesar Donoso's March 9, same p u b l i c a t i o n s critics (Mario Montevideo, (March wide spectrum American Donoso. The Chilean by Latin El Sialo Gutierrez, Herbert a second del 50", following Armando Eugenio - Guzman, Chile, authors - Mario Maria newly C u e n t o s de l a Editorial d e l Nuevo were i n c l u d e d : M a r g a r i t a G a r c i a , Maria 21 Jose Enrique dedicated to the Enrique Lafourcade, de Emerich, M u l l e r , A l b e r t o Rubio, B l a n c o , Armando C a s s i g o l i , Espinosa, Pablo Cassigoli, Gertner, Claudio Giaconi, anthology Santiago Chile, Margarita Aguirre, Edwards, F e l i x Elena de Jose Donoso, Elena Gertner, Jorge Luis A. Heiremans, Muller, Waldo V i l a , 10. This literatura article of Alejandro Jose which existentialism in 11. is summarized Cuadernos one Enrique Molleto, Herbert Zanartu. debate chilena", in Jodorowsky, of the by L a f o u r c a d e Americanos , No. recurring points relation to the generation N.Y. Times Book Review , March 14, N.Y. Times Book Review , November in was 19, the of "La nueva 1959, an importance 1950. 1965, Section VII, p. 51. p. 26, 1967, Section VII, 66 Times - London - L i t e r a r y Supplement, Saturday Review , N.Y., Observer , June 20, Studies Books in Abroad Hispania , No. sampling of 1965, Fiction , V. , LIV, Spectator A Short XLVII, XVII, No. 4, 7147, other p. March 1971, , Winter December June 13, 1, 1965, 1965, p. 563 27 791 , Winter No. July 18, 1979, pp. 55-58 196 8 pp. 957-959 1965 well-known publications to comment on Donoso: La Quinzaine Litteraire , Paris No. 136, March 1-15, July-December 1971, 1972 Paese Sera Revista pp. , Rome, January Iberoamericana 1, 1973 , No. 76-77, 517-536 L e Monde Punch 12. Emir (March 17, , CC X L V I I I , Rodriguez 1969) June 23, 1965 Monegal,"El - 22 - mundo de J o s e Donoso", Mundo Nuevo , No. 12, (Although of justified). in Monegal las novelas de que hasta habia lectura mas honda el Cedomil Dniversitaria, 14. Sarduy, 16. See p. Paris, un footnote No. Laing, Salvador Fiction 19. Ariel (Santiago: La "social his position punto reflejar (anda por cronicas), que esas novela ahf para ficciones (p. chilena vista simplemente encantadores encumbren de un una es un 83). , Santiago, Ed. Mundo Nuevo , No. 72-74. p.83. 11. e d i t i o n 1962)(as , The D i v i d e d quoted Bacarisse, (Edinburgh: Dorfman, by Self P. , Harmondsworth, Bacarisse's preface Scottish Imaainacion to Penguin, essay) p. Contemporary Academic Press, 29. Latin 1980). y v i o l e n c i a en A m e r i c a Latina E d i t o r i a l U n i v e r s i t a r i a , 1970) . 20. Zunilda Gertel,"Metamorphosis , Fall, 1973 Isis , Emir "Chronology", Quinteros, (Madrid: as Metaphor of the World", N.Y. Jose''Donoso, 22. 23. de pp. (1st 18. case any 163. R.D. realidad desde Donoso parecen mundo 17. 21. "Si Sarduy,"Escritura/Travestismo", 1968, 15. Review in Donoso's c r o ' n i c a de c o s t u m b r e s Goic, 1968^ Severo February American criticizes v i o l e n c i a , de p e s a d i l l a , de t e r r o r . " 13. 1972 77-85 usually general, r e a l i d a d f a m i l i a r , una a m b i t o de pp. writes: critico 20, 1967, Monegal literature superficial una July Rodriguez reading is Paris, Jose Kispanova Rodriguez Review Donoso. de Monegal, una , Fall 1973, insurreccion Ediciones, Mundo Nuevo N.Y. contra la 1978). , No. 12, July 1967, Paris, p. 78. 24. Interview, 25. Review 73 Review , p. 73 , Fall, 39. - 24 - N.Y., p. 39. Chapter Coronacion first novel, was published in Donoso published Veraneo collection of Fiesta Grande, en short old houses appear in novels. The relations setting linked to rigidly can of result short which stories. writing rather is not As through disguises a process and masks reality. the the of of will evocation of innocence, between people of in identities conformity of forms are the of thematic earliest published pointed out, these and Donoso's obsessions but obsessions. y will otros go through many of . They go changing of in Coronacion that is both and a simultaneous very 25 cuentos appear mutations - has a these stories instinctive from h i s In that of d e s t r u c t i o n . These work , dilapidated short fusion repressive description of of a nostalgic the this Tocayos, Cartas). repetitions dependence to China, inevitable loss of use Dos subsequent Moixl i n Veraneo Donoso's Prior cuentos repeated use emergence creation.of that (Veraneo, structures, and 1957. otros thematic the Maria a in y contain Donoso's Ana processes the and chaos merely characters same and theme o f the mark a continuous The find from dependence, in 1955 in Donoso's social resulting obsessions in i n Veraneo and Chile Dinamarquero, domination classes, existence, and the stratified upper of a already stories the stories E l Guero, Coronacion past that short we c a n as the the six stories two old - a presentation characters of often two facets expresses this ambiguous perception personality of unconscious l e v e l o f e x p r e s s i o n on top o f t h e i r conscious and the two personality where levels of In o l d allows t h e superimposing appear and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y . In t h i s manner, the the u n r e a l appear as superimposed and , E l i s a Grey de Abalos, a s e n i l e o l d woman i n n i n e t i e s i s s l o w l y dying i n her decaying mansion. Andres, her lives grandson i s i n h i s f i f t i e s . He does not have t o work and a leisurely collection of grandmother. life walking Andres' occupied sticks, i s an visit h i s grandmother, to has never girl who old woman fantasies insights Andres really even covet his life individual French well o f involvement, and visits and to h i s placid o f emotions. At each he i s t e r r i f i e d o f death although he The a r r i v a l o f E s t e l a , a young country Misia farther. history, h i s ordered i n t o the d e c r e p i t household stimulates into him lived. i s imported into obsessed avoidance with politics superficially existence all reality i n a process o f d i s i n t e g r a t i o n . Coronacion bachelor quite of t h e i r t h e very o l d i n c a r n a t e s Donoso's ambiguous world the r e a l interdependent her the very o f r e a l i t y as the decomposing, s e n i l e The Elisa's already o l d woman's t o care f o r the active maliciously sexual obscene Andre's' repressed d e s i r e f o r E s t e l a g r a d u a l l y prod an with awareness Estela as of h i s f u t i l e e x i s t e n c e . He becomes the awareness of h i s wasted l i f e makes p o s s e s i o n of her as a way o f r e c a p t u r i n g and redeeming and escaping t h e i n c r e a s i n g l y i n t o l e r a b l e burden o f " h i s existence. different h i s hopes from I n e v i t a b l y , E s t e l a ' s needs and d e s i r e s a r e those of Andres. By the time he has pinned o f a u t h e n t i c a t i n g , h i s l i f e on p o s s e s s i n g her, she - 26 - is already Estela's but pregnant by Mario, a working c l a s s boy. The r e s u l t o f rejection effectively values and the brother and attempt to climax with of of Andres i s p a r t of the novels e l a b o r a t e l y contrived climax. world grinding of sister-in-law, Mario, d r i v e n by the s o r d i d poverty agrees to he shares with h i s use Estela b u r g l a r i z e M i s i a E l i s a ' s house. The n o v e l reaches i t s t h e f a i l u r e o f the robbery due t o E s t e l a ' s rejection Andres. Andres subsequently f i n d s refuge i n madness and E s t e l a and Mario future. tragic flee from t h e Abalos mansion towards an u n c e r t a i n The tone o f the climax i s mordant and macabre rather than as the novel closes with t h e grotesque c o r o n a t i o n and death o f M i s i a E l i s a as madness and d e s t r u c t i o n In situating context of initially Coronacion i t s time, received Coronacion of i n order t o almost we i n the must triumph. literary first see and how the the s o c i a l n o v e l was and i n t e r p r e t e d . E a r l y readers and c r i t i c s o f a l l found the same message i n the n o v e l : t h a t t h e decadence o f the C h i l e a n b o u r g e o i s i e brought about by i t s own vices Donoso and recalls chilena fue caught i n the p r o c e s s of h i s t o r i c a l change2. As in Historia cuasi unanime retrataba * l a decadencia parte los lectores de intencion."3 limitations realism ambiguous surface a l alabar de esa l a ' r e a l i d a d ' con que yo l a clase e r a mi a l t a ' , ya que para gran meta, mi f i n , y toda mi In H i s t o r i a P e r s o n a l d e l Boom , Donoso d e s c r i b e s t h e of the Chilean i n Coronacion allusions of P e r s o n a l d e l Boom : " A s i l a c r i t i c a , which "faithfully critics without the praised understanding novel depicted who develops reality". - 27 - the l a y e r o f the world of p a r a l l e l t o the When Coronacion was published in 1957, message, as the literary production most regionalism of habitually denounced as the the Dora, are dichotomy of unjust not elements creative family, h i s brother social class to the their Rene and by into a and revolving servants and his sister-in-law t h i s s t r u c t u r a l dichotomy as a reduction of Coronacion to only a novel's more complex and process to in only the nature social important and an aspect Donoso's in in but understanding three element narrative the also the factors in itself thematic provide a dominance subsequent n o v e l s , in i s of a psychoanalytical, the n o v e l . These key the and (which writing) philosophical, configurating social r i c h n e s s . These l e v e l s i n social in present Coronacic^n essential have aesthetic biographical, path destruction and one c l e a r l y when a c r i t i c a l approach i s used archetypal human and Abalos interpreted more of we of appear synthesis that who and accessory We " e s c r i t o r comprometido" significance encompasses critical the The secondary, the the p r e s e n t e d i n a l t e r n a t i n g episodes critics is Coronacion the based on exploitation Mario, dichotomy. levels the dominated s o c i a l l e v e l s of the haute b o u r g e o i s i e of and early social s o c i a l r e a l i s m t h a t had from the two lives acquaintances that message proletariat around found i n the novel a Because the s t r u c t u r a l a x i s of Coronacion d i v i d e s dichotomy the a and critics i n C h i l e s i n c e " c r i o l l i s m o " , was conveyance another. Chilean of which i s Donoso's p e r c e p t i o n of u n f a i r advantage over Donoso's e a r l y c r i t i c s in reality. can view Coronacion i n the l i g h t of h i s subsequent novels as p a r t of emerging l i t e r a r y trends and - 28 - changes. When we view Coronacion in Coronacion may process the personal larger express in Chile writer's la this in . It Donoso's three society, but background critics aspects of the socioideological the 1950's, these aspects a r e a c c e s s o r y t o world from Coronacion i s t r u e t h a t Coronacion following primarily novels, in the t o E l obsceno p a j a r o de , i n the same measure as i s deeply particular rooted i n C h i l e a n milieu o f Donoso's and- of h i s p a s t . The r e a l i s m of Coronacion lauded, l i e s obsessive some c o n f i n e s o f C h i l e which c o n s t i t u t e the b a s i s o f the narrative noche c o n t e x t , i t becomes c l e a r t h a t while and that early i n Donoso's p e r c e p t i o n and r e c r e a t i o n o f h i s repetitive world as he e x o r c i z e s h i s own p a s t . As I s i s Quinteros e x p l a i n s : su obra no es una cosmogonia. En e l l a aparece un C h i l e p e r s o n a l y c o n f i n a d o : e l C h i l e de Jose Donoso, cuya 'realidad' creada, recreada y fundida a la realidad multi-facetica e insondable d e l prdprio e s c r i t o r es l a que c o n f i g u r a toda su n a r r a t i v a . 4 In this relevant to Coronacion sense, some s e l e c t i v e b i o g r a p h i c a l background i s as the to genesis El socio-historical of obsceno and the paiaro literary c r e a t i v e process de Donoso's of past in the w r i t e r ' s c r e a t i o n . In Coronacion clearly can ghosts is vital recognize i n t h a t i t p r o v i d e s the f i r s t this autobiographical, undercurrent and catharsis as i s the C h i l e - h i s f a m i l y , f r i e n d s , s c h o o l s , c i t y - the web memories we , background. The p e r s o n a l c o n f i n e s of novels l a noche l e a d i n g from of obsessions demons and which and i n Donoso's f o l l o w i n g personal anecdotal impulse element, form, i f not i n a definitely as and e v o c a t i o n s and a l l u s i o n s to past the novel, in an act of personal l i b e r a t i o n , seeks t o e x o r c i z e . Donoso's w r i t i n g i s - 29 - a continuous creation autopsychoanalysis as subject in these imagination language to produces Donoso He and novels us obsessions Donoso, becomes communicated of and becomes the up the of his family lived grandmother. Donoso recalls creator, for as the presence the literary interpreted own and original novel. the ten years beyond being his the author's object, the in the m i l i e u of goes beyond reality creation an a e s t h e t i c grew the w r i t e r , goes imaginary as which "burguesia with his of this acomodada". ailing maternal woman d u r i n g his adolescence: El gradual p r o c e s o de su d e t e r i o r o , e n t r e m e z c l a d o c o n relampagueantes destellos de memoria y de saber familiar, hasta s u m u e r t e mas d e d i e z a n o s d e s p u e ' s , e s uno de los episodios que mas h a m a r c a d o m i v i d a , n o porque yo amara a e s t a a n c i a n a , s i n o p o r q u e su demencia puso t a n c r u e l m e n t e en e v i d e n c i a l a s i r o n i a s de l a v i d a f a m i l i a r y l o s h o r r o r e s de l a v e j e z y l a a g o n i a . 5 Hisia not Elisa a parody referring todo to a as como p a r a The Donosos' maids, servants, in the Donoso's Chilean dominant in , critics have : demasiado "estoy etc. The of four Donoso from the past suggested. As Donoso - said metido a l l ' d e n t r o social obsceno talks and are are novels. The and de "criada" and L o u r d e s pajaro de - 30 Teresa - t h e masks another la cooks, masters constantly Rosario about servants: between dependence systems, novels, from i n c l u d e d many relationship mutual c y c l e of El ghost parodiarlo".6 family household character Ponce' Cronologia poder hierarchical first Peta some roles Donoso's a confrontation with this Coronacion eso gardeners, wear is people explored thematic and in link in in particular, is in noche Vergara, Coronacion . the In his "criada" to own of the Donoso family v/ho brought him hermanas, hermanos, primos cocineros, jardineros y doncellas, mi familia dedicated this por to "Teresa dedication comprometiendo, la mis old the mansions, impact the in amidst also senile an mainly run subsequent in the their of Donoso "sin sido . nuestros con otros cuentos is and relation to in saberlo, me c r i d ' . "Sus en s i m b i o s i s me tematica. Teresa senile of is . estaba Vergara , es la sick by is between by madre era de of past, uncles) to themes. In growing a in disguises personalities and human the and servants, developed in personality. house and theme as of another relation the maid and symbolic r e l a t i o n to In but theme Coronacidn and up household r e l a t e d to Donoso's s e l f - i n t e g r a t i o n . The also profound grandmother in the relation spent his costumes masters the only and is its recurrent disintegration for d i s i n t e g r a t i o n of mistress (not different search in a childhood servants marked Donoso's important aunts of of r e l a t i v e s , made a Donoso's relatives process futile the y leer" settings impact is of una quien childhood, theme of says the various relationship theme the The assume recollection of organized novels characters this bedridden and sabe r e c o l l e c t e d facet of destruction. roles and assortment vivido Veraneo and realization the han han writes: "8 servants, Donoso particular, fue characters the literary . y y no eligiendo padres . que author estaba viejas. Clearly Vergara Donoso sobrinas, siglo."7 the c r i a d a de m i s todas of medio y up. the to servant, says: Again human it's my obsession with p e r s o n a l i t y . The s e r v a n t i s the non-unity of the another p a r t , another incarnation, at a d i f f e r e n t l e v e l , of the mistress. She is both the mistress and the s e r v a n t . They a r e two faces of the same being. It's good and bad bound together. Because t h e r e i s a moment w h e n t h e b e a u t i f u l woman t u r n s i n t o a m o n s t e r 9 . The the complex domination relationship and the poor another that In his the the process by main By published (1943). first as development themes the e n d o f W o r l d War La From Nausee the Within in the (1938), beginning, clearly and 32 Donoso's should and organization structural basis of studied. (1939) - structuring characterization archetypal Jean Paul was the in framework, psychoanalysis fundamental Mur concepts explained. of . The Sartre - undergo framework conceptual Sartre existentialist Le to thematic intellectual this be s u b s e q u e n t l y II, one them. characters and F r e u d i a n a system the a rich framework the novel's understood in Coronacion which provides figure this Sartrean of of psychoanalysis. more part will of e x i s t e n t i a l i s m and main dominant structure uses disintegrates his on symbiotic attraction for intellectual of a d i s i n t e g r a t i o n . The disintegration theme in focus the precariousness obsessive an be b e t t e r of other uses Andres. can servants then components Donoso framework Coronacion and e x i s t e n t i a l i s m and destruction analysed Donoso's the The of to and them and archetypal psychology the thematic of Donoso characterization of conceptual be susceptibility , larger each theme o f an u n c o n s c i o u s particular Andres' of its of the alternately unites provided In develops have development. are between masters dependence Coronacion organize within and that personality and relations and had emerged movement. L'Etre interested in et He le as had Neant psychology and especially Transcendance d'une views the relevance easy postwar of range the psychoanalysis. psychoanalytical are specific writings Briefly, nature the and and experience; emphasizes future extreme and central of anguish consciousness. to said be of was a diffusion in literature these are movements of interest themes of of in being the feelings experiences are viewed is of our is as French absurd, the aid the Sartre of developed the absurdity; the of dread, own as importance to every one of day complacency, developed possibility the extreme one's to says there f are: contrast an that are of existentialism human n a t u r e . experience in in Existentialism and stresses found 50's role awareness anxiety Existentialism existence fact of it us. and the made influence existentialism communication. continuous the to of existentialist which of underlying and general the nature existentialist claimed the the understanding e x i s t e n t i a l i s m has intentionality; self-deception. is be in La Esquisse characterization choice; which that by his ( summary o f of of void. thesis the recurrent exceptional experiences conformity, there these basic significance and the and (1940), useful in influence within systems; the death confronts covered influence concepts consciousness incorporation same m i g h t While and individual views The is , particularly most w i d e s p r e a d writers. in Donoso's (1939) . A v e r y Donoso's of of L'Imaainaire existentialism Coronacion The for by of structure (1936) , Emotions expressed in particular l'Ego des main Andre's. the de The'orie concepts in that freedom of the of the choice feeling human In the conceal face this freedom, human beings internal consciousness gives covert the and itself put human duality thinks condemns of attempt on of consciousness to i t s freedom. by human consciousness a as hopeless since while choice. a described Thus genuine logical by S a r t r e (being is consciousness precluded which makes content i t clear novels, more It of project being the dramatic undertaking of t h e two kinds o f being negating creates for i t s e l f - aspect anew provide the dialogue reality that we have, summarized i n t h e form o f p l a y s and L'Etre et characters lonely best le Ne^ant and of Daniel argument. i n l o n e l i n e s s and doubt for existentialist Sartre human t r e a t i s e s , i s a form of e x p r e s s i o n t h a t people l i v i n g characters of the d i s t i n c t i o n s c o n s i s t e n t with S a r t r e ' s i n t e n t i o n s than d e d u c t i v e commonplace an t o overcome. r a t h e r than s y s t e m a t i c is a are constituting i n i t s e l f - en s o i , being by beings hopeless e x i s t e n t i a l i s t philosophy that itself i s not t h e r e s u l t of is a synthesis perpetually such a s y n t h e s i s i s intended The the self-sufficient soi) which Although S a r t r e human of because ina l e v e l with t h i n g s , he u l t i m a t e l y sees t h e f o r their choices, their existence ontologically in to objectify responsible their resulting i t s e l f as a t h i n g a t the same time t h a t recognition enterprise pour can attempt t o i t from themselves by a v a r i e t y o f d e v i c e s paradoxical it of n o v e l s . Perhaps the understood and which he focused developed and Roquentin us in in the earlier i s the on i n fictional psychology o f the individual. What interests - Coronacion 34 - is hov; Donoso's characterization Throughout solitary ". y precario no Andre's Coronacicri person: absurdo ya of tenia , Andres . con solo Andres bachelor, a . la la hasta an c h a r a c t e r i z e d as Ademas, la only child, solitude to his Estoy solo que nunca antes, no senora only an de la essentially el lazo osaria por todo living y El confesarse falleciera." orphan mas existencia. friend Carlos excluido concepts. an representaba emocional que his existentialist anciana lazos. confesses mas is realidad otros completamente is follows (p. alone. Gros: de 16) ". todo." He . . (p. 131) Andres by repeatedly experiences a sensation of terror evoked death: Que uno moria era indudable. Pero en el f o n d o de Andres, en algun r i n c o n o c u l t o e i n f a n t i l - q u i z a ' s un resabio de la fe r e l i g i o s a que d e s c a r t d ' de una v e z y para siempre al finalizar su a d o l e s c e n c i a - , e x i s t i a una certeza fiera, a r r a i g a d a t e n a z y h o n d a m e n t e en s u s temores mas i n c o n f e s a d o s , que e l jamas m o r i r T a , que l a m u e r t e e r a p a r a o t r o s , no p a r a e l . . . O i r a su a b u e l a h a b l a n d o de l a m u e r t e en l a forma mas n a t u r a l d e l m u n d o , e r a como l e v a n t a r l a t a p a hacia u n a s i n i e s t r a p o s i b i l i d a d d e h o r r o r . Ho h a b £ a q u e ceder a l a t e n t a c i o ' n de a s o m a r s e p o r e l r e s q u i c i o , e r a necesario m i r a r a o t r a p a r t e , h u i r , h u i r de esa v o z que queria obligar brutalmente a Andre's a e n f r e n t a r a l g o que s a b i a que a l g u n a v e z i b a a t e n e r que e n f r e n t a r . (p. 38-39) Y ahora, ique' e x p e r i e n c i a me q u e d a ? , l a muerte, nada mas. No puedo p e n s a r en o t r a c o s a . Y en ella no puedo pensar ma's que con t e r r o r porque se demasiado b i e n que t o d a s l a s t e o r i a s f i l o s o ' f i c a s , t o d a s las satisfacciones de v i v i r y toda creencia r e l i g i o s a son falsas, todas mentiras para ahuyentar el gran p c i n i c o de l a e x t i n c i d n . . . ( p . 156) Andre's anguish, novel in of the has abandoned his confrontation recurrence of catholic with a the nightmare: - 35 - faith void and are his feelings expressed in of . the Solia sonar que i b a a t o d a v e l o c i d a d p o r un l a r g u i s i m o puente suspendido por un vacio. Pero e l p u e n t e , de pronto", terminaba antes de llegar a la otra o r i l l a , dejando un trecho en q u e n o h a b i a n a d a , n a d a mcis q u e abismo. En su, veloz ansiedad por a l c a n z a r a l a o t r a orilla, Andres cafa dando gritos de terror al precipitarse en ese vacio. Despertaba transpirando y sobresaltado. Ningun libro, ni la filosofia, ni la ciencia que t a n t a s d i s c u s i o n e s s u s c i t a b a con C a r l o s Gros eran capaces de darle medios para llegar, material y conscientemente, a la otra o r i l l a . Todo desembocaba en cero, en otra pregunta ma's, en la i n t e r r o g a n t e de l a m u e r t e . el . y en l a n o c h e d e l p u e n t e , dando final Andre's c a i a alaridos. por el abismo por pero continuaba s o n a n d o que e l p u e n t e no llegaba a l a o t r a o r i l l a , y se p r e c i p i t a b a a u l l a n d o en el fondo de s u s u e n o , h a s t a p e r d e r s e en e l a b i s m o . (p. 62-63) Sartre's nature. In accepting his atheism Coronacio'n an the In to awareness theme of of individual, The the to its own novels. novels beliefs anguish and It society (religion in as establish the of to a ideology in and the upon the framework of fear within - 36 - is link the of of an to caused by the facet of the one and in between extended to traditions, which from according class Coronacion thematic concepts life, linked, This to disintegrating derives bourgeois whole, particular), closer belonging developed a human consciousness the main on the dominant the is existentialist meanihglessness so views progressively existentialism of his expressing disintegration. is it of this atheist of moves of , disintegration subsequent four capable awareness of the consequence Andres Coronacion interpretation Sartre, a , ideology anguish, world. is Donoso's the first include the values and society is based. absurdity of existence, death which are used by Andres' Donoso character is developed. of Andres repeatedly expresses his sense of the absurdity existence: Vida e r a una s o l a , a h o r a l o v e i a tambien iba a morir, y pasarian de millones de anos, y de e l planeta seguina rodando por intersiderales hacia un d e s t i n o ( p . 76) con c l a r i d a d . Luego e l miles, millones, miles no q u e d a r i a n a d a , y e l los negros espacios absurdo e i n e x i s t e n t e . El, en cambio se hallaba d e s n u d o b a j o un f i r m a m e n t o hostil, que s6lo p o d i a s e n a l a r l e s u p r o p i a p e q u e n e z , y l a i n u t i l b r e v e d a d de s u c o n c i e n c i a . ( p . 155) Andres' daily fear of death prevents routines passive are him from experiencing a form of s e l f - d e c e p t i o n , of a c c e p t a n c e o f h i s own life and h i s resignation, of futility: Rebelarse, tratar de dar un significado a la vida, hacer algo, tener cualquier fe con l a c u a l i n t e n t a r traspasar .el limite del actual, era estupido, pretencioso, pueril, lo unico razonable era la acceptacibn muda e i n a c t i v a . Ihe g u s t a b a l e e r h i s t o r i a de Francia? Leeria historia de F r a n c i a . &Le g u s t a b a pasear en las tardes por las calles tranquilas? Pasearia. Andre's s i n t i d " p o r p r i m e r a v e z que sus p o b r e s pes' pisaban t e r r e n o f i r m e , que l o g r a b a s a l t a r desde e l extremo puente hasta la orilla lejana. Para otros, sentir lo que e'l a c a b a b a de s e n t i r q u i z a r e s u l t a r a un pozo negro de angustia. P a r a e l , s i n embargo, e r a l a justificacioVi de no hacer nada, de no a v e n t u r a r s e a nada, la l i b e r a c i o n c o m p l e t a de t o d o compromiso c o n l a v i d a . ( p . 65) In foi), what Andres, existence and concludes that Sartre would call when faced when confronted madness is his with an t h e need with only a c t of bad f a i t h his to give (mauvaise meaning own s e n s e of to his failure, alternative: Ojala me v o l v i e r a loco para a s i no t e n e r que a b o c a r directamente, claramente, a la luz p l e n a y c o n tc^da conciencia, e l p r o b l e m a de l a muerte y de l a e x t i n c i o n . iQu^ m a r a v i l l o s a manera de e s c a m o t e a r s e de l a n e c e s i d a d de m i r a r de f r e n t e . . . , e s o . . . ! ( p . 133) el u n i c o o r d e n es l a l o c u r a , porque l o s l o c o s son los que se han dado c u e n t a d e l caos t o t a l , de l a imposibilidad de explicar, de r a z o n a r , de a c l a r a r , y - 37 - como no pueden hacer nada ven llegar a la verdad es unirse 157) At the himself, novel's to Sartre's put at the himself concept consciousness conclusion, of in a the which same t i m e t h a t on Andre's level attempts with paradoxical consciousness it que l a u n i c a manera de a la locura total, (p. covertly to things exemplifying internal thinks of recognizes duality itself its objectify as a of thing freedom: El ya no era un ser v i v o , y a no e r a h o m b r e . Estaba reducido a cosa, a m a t e r i a que a g u a r d a e l momento de integrarse a la nada donde no hay ni tiempo mi extensidh. Dentro de pocos anos e l i b a a m o r i r , y ese finalizar de su c o n c i e n c i a i n d i v i d u a l que l o s e p a r a b a con una h n e a de c l a r i d a d d e l r e s t o de l o s o b j e t o s , e r a tambien el fin de eso que a l g u n o s saben l l a m a r a l m a , ( p . 212) The a emphasis literary previous in theme, is literary injustice and Coronacion one generation. of criticizing. Rather, in general the this latter existentialist such as intellectual. inner and but The his his surface de la and of novel, so without of while explores Andres the of makes crises the literature. the the a malaise fetish Lukacs the of of Linked as the to of critic, of the bourgeois individual calls "le as is surrounding society the he social impact his the condition individualism fetichisee"10) view human of as objective in particular. debased (what in shows individual. A Marxist the a symptom it from the primary assertion that incarnated followers appearance say interiorite own v a l u e s many on bourgeois experiences permanent find is The the philosophy i n d i v i d u a l problems which Donoso d i f f e r s Coronacion is would in does anguish theme Lukacs, existentialist area inequality, and on A n d r e s ' carnaval unable society. to Lukacs r e a l i t y behind the Although Donoso intent, Coronacion of author's the larger social analysis of characters is does created the the w i t h any but period of also Dorfman, of social confines tangentially, he w r o t e generation the novels obvious nofc<only t h e p e r s o n a l narrative, Ariel by that writer experience, of Chilean a reflect, social trends characteristics not i n . In a the marxist w r i t i n g about 1950, the p e r i o d have points in the out the common: El personaje no s e mueve, p o r q u e no t i e n e h a c i a donde huir; el i m p u l s o r e n o v a d o r que d e n u n c i a l a r i g i d e z , se resuelve en la i n c e r t i d u m b r e , en e l p a r e n t e s i s , en l a mascara . . . rodeado por s o l u c i o n e s f a l s a s , s o c i a l e s , futuras, interiores, el hombre se hace r a d i c a l m e n t e ambiguo . . . 11 Donoso, does like reflect according to the some other aspects Chilean writers of the social of his reality generation, they live in, Dorfman: Enfrentan el desahucio de la Utopia americana, enfrentan el f r a c a s o de un s i s t e m a , e x p r e s a n h a s t a l o s limites que sus demonios se lo permiten, que lo rebelarse, lo grotesco y r i d i c u l o l a u n i c a manera de expresarse, la fragmentacidn, la manera de amar, l a mctscara l a u n i c a c a r a . 1 2 In Coronacion irrational well as those rebelion de escalate The la in briefly characterization main component the a l l r e l i g i o n and noche , emphasis aspects against of forms sex. these i n t e n s i t y and basic see grotesque related to pajaro been and we on reality of moral taboos From C o r o n a c i o n aspects of Donoso's to as especially El obsceno fiction will scope. outlined, in ambiguous, and p e r s o n a l i t y e x i s t e n t i a l c o n c e p t u a l framework of the largely Andres. the in Psychoanalysis conceptual - 39 - in Coronacion relation provides framework has to the the other developed in Coronacion's system clearly present reading Freud Freud's psychoanalytical Of Dream? , characterization. Freudian the n o v e l . in the the of illustrated within the in the most the Pleasure of Symptoms these aspects functioning are intimately particularly sexual the result Freud in of pointed thinking, of the through instincts provoked and shawl for (this her birthday the Eao and and and stated they that , the are evolve many development of and conflicts, anxiety are conflict within of of Sexuality childhood often oneself. instinctual conflict analysed processes both typical of repression. mores the symbolic image sexual of psychology mental significance Andre's, and p l e a s u r e . by of was (1926)]. and Andre's to father the occurring defensive in dreams, defense. Freudian sexual , Freud are Interpretation (1920), The Freudian human phenomena regression, cases neuroses vital mental upbringing bourgeois of related out religious of of recognition Elisa [ The and A n x i e t y Elisa his the Theory . elements t h e main body 1926, c o n f l i c t s . G u i l t , shame and a f f e c t and Misia on theories. the unconscious function of that complete theories important by Principle characters framework was Essays Three basic the indeed, theory (1923), I n h i b i t i o n s . Many Donoso mentions and 20*s (1900), Beyond (1905), Id. , in of their They which Freud repression images. results in in For El an - 40 social class, repressive are classic of denounced inducive of early example, sin outburst - a artifice obsession luaar of i l l u s t r a t e the from Misici E l i s a ' s reappears products of as chilhood with the limites of sexual sexuality gift ) of from escalating a is pink Andres intensity and obscenity aimed at Estela: Este chal t a n l i n d o l e v a a s e n t a r m u c h o mas a l a Estela. A e l l a s i l e q u e d a r i a b i e n de v e r a s . M i r a n i n a , lo que t e t r a j o t u n o v i o , un c h a l c i t o r o s a d o . P a r a que t e ^ veas rosadita cuando despiertes a su l a d o en l a manana . . . , t o m a , p r u e ' b a t e l o . . . I Pruebate tu chal! Pruebate tu chal rosado, que a t i t e l o t r a j o d e r e g a l o ! S i me l o t r a j o a mi seria un i n s u l t o , p o r q u e es un c h a l de p u t a , s i , de puta, no para una s e n o r a que merece una c o r o n a de santa y reina, como yo. jPruebate tu chal, te digo, china! i I n d i a p u t a ! |Las c o s a s m u g r i e n t a s que l e habeas e n s e n a d o a h a c e r e n l a c a m a ! . . . c o c h i n a , v i c i o s a , . . . ( p p . 5 0 , 5 1 , 52) Andre's' rigidly the adult ordered search The for by repression sex of one dominated His and his scenes of example of associated has cycle of with his in The sexual religious a his by life. tenets to and symbolizes traumatic basic episodes desires. the in been, behavior ten canes Andre's' several sexual sexual ritual discipline illustrates early by c o l l e c t i o n of character the repression Andre's' of Andre's' determined is c o n t r o l , order with psychology. and routines. description encounters provides life childhood of Freudian great extent, life following desire, moral and by the quotation guilt, fear strictures in youth. Cuando Andre's tuvo que confesarse p a r a p r e p a r a r su primera comunio'n, se l o c a l l d ' t o d o , a b s o l u t a m e n t e t o d o , lo de V e l a r d e y su amigo, l a s p o s t a l e s , sus s u e n o s , e l sillon que s e l l a m a b a L o u r d e s y t o d o l o dema's. C o m u l ^ en pecado mortal. No fue, como l e d i j e r o n que d e b i a ser, el dia ma's feliz de su vida. Porque estaba condenado, y s u c a r n e a r d e r i a en l o s i n f i e r n o s p o r l o s siglos de l o s s i g l o s . S o l o su a b u e l a y Lourdes se ira'n al cielo. ^Cuantash veshesh, hiho? - l e preguntaria e l padre Damian, s i contaba. / . The . . y eso importance jamais p o d r i a of confesarlo. sexuality - 41 - in (p. Andre's' 59) unconscious is revealed palms de in several (reminiscent una persona Lourdes) Andres 1 mind, repressed his impulses palms mechanisms. Andre's' world own recurrent by of of between repeated old obsessions evolution. tension Donoso Andre's Andres conflict. The novel's precarious balance. characters first balance encounter "Don Andre's como el resto poco rosado, resto de como la piel de pink of a Finally, his in an it marks of of submerged follow this the steps momentum a s and and the an repetitive in the the sexual increasing shatters and of provokes routine palms and element to them c r e a t e s compulsion order individual momentum and defense eventually denouement augmenting his established ritualized final obsessive a l l sense pink desires. desires. an as of for fascinating palms perceives Andre's tension world as c o n t r o l . Upon 1 is his Andres' Estela: observo de is Estela's between with it with fixation Estela, is cuerpo a impulses, develops This Donoso's of pink layers sexual f o r Andre's, Andres life of that of order. como e l associates repressed destroy natural and attraction to Estela's unconscious unconscious intrusion Estela's intrusion typical a fetish rosado the a r t i f i c i a l l y and the motive of the vitality collapse Andre's' erosion his of Andres the arousing become y which penetrates threatening The instinctive (p.57) , instincts, erupt, The m o t i v e "silicon pequeno gradually all his the progressively pink by of desnuda" Estela's the dream sequences. que la piel . la . . solo el l a palma , como s i muchacha." - 42 (p. - dorso era de unos estuviera 17) l a mano tohos ma's era mas cobrizo clara, desnuda que un el Later on: Andres desvio' la vista de esas palmas descubiertas, p r e s a de i n c o m o d i d a d y de un i n e x p l i c a b l e pudor; como s i h u b i e r a s o r p r e n d i d o a l g u n a i n t i m i d a d de la m u c h a c h a . En e s a l i g e r a v a r i a c i o n de c o l o r d e l c o b r e opaco del d o r s o a l r o s a m u l l i d o y s i n duda t i b i o de l a palma desnuda, inconvenientemente desnuda, Andre's se vio acechado por algo i n s t i n c t i v o , algo casi salvaje, inadmisible e n s u mundo d o n d e t o d o e r a c i v i l i z a c i o n . . . (P.40) Then, pink shawl on the provokes occasion her of outburst Misia Elisa's against birthday, when the Estela: Estela no se m o v i o ' . L e v a n t a n d o un p o c o l a s manos como quien pide a y u d a , m i r a b a a Andre's, que d e s v i o l a vista a ver esas palmas, acosado t a n t o por l a presencia, de esa carne fresca y rosa que se le antojo descaradamente indecente, como por la locura de su abuela, que de manera tan inconveniente los habia unido. ^Donde m i r a r , a q u i e n a c u d i r en b u s c a de o r d e n ? ( p . 51) Estela s e h a b i a e n v u e l t a en e l c h a l , a p r e t a n d o l o a su cuerpo. Andre's la vio rosada e n t e r a , como s i l a desnudez de l a p a l m a d e s u s manos s e h u b i e r a e x t e n d i d o impudicamente p o r t o d o s u c u e r p o , como s i M i s i c t E l i s i t a la h u b i e r a jdesnudado con sus palabras enloquecidas, para e n t r e g a r s e l a . L a mente de Andre's pugnaba p o r e c h a r mano de c u a l q u i e r c o s a p a r a c u b r i r o a l e j a r e s a i m a g e n , p e r o e r a i n u t i l . ( p . 52) This Andres scene gives probably with sexuality. His Andre's' sexual his in Estela and unconscious desires surge a pink his grandmother fantasies repressed particularly grandmother influenced obsession and is rich in Freudian shawl for choice his of the Elisa she of connection attraction for because colour association makes forth. her suffers birthday. by pink his the shawl Elisa's same is female the understand from He growing with between E s t e l a . Then can w e l l psychology. own Andre's' sexual repressions. When Andre's sees the palms - of 43 Tenchita, - the antique dealer's wife (she is wearing a pink shawl): , . , En l u g a r de T e n c h i t a y e i a a E s t e l a , e n v u e l t a en el chal que el habia regalado a su a b u e l a . . . y Estela despertaba en el lecho junto a e'l. El calor joven de la muchacha. Su c u e r p o l e v e m e n t e h u m e d e c i d o por el s u e n o t i b i o l o t o c a b a . T e n f a v i v o en l a n u c a e l aliento de Estela al ayudarlo a ponerse e l abrigo, y ante sus o j o s se h a l l a b a a b i e r t o e l p e l i g r o desnudo de s u s p a l m a s . . . ( p . 113) After desire this for encounter, Andre's accepts the existence of his Estela: Deseaba a E s t e l a . Sus manos e n p u n a d a s en l o s bolsillos de su abrigo imaginaron l a suavidad desnuda de las palmas de la muchacha, y en l a s r e t i n a s de Andre's hirvieron sus o j o s n e g r o s . La t i b i e z a s u b i t a de - la respiracion de Estela al ayudarlo a ponerse su abrigo una noche hacia mas de un mes, r e p i t i o un aliento a r d o r o s o en su c u e l l o . S i . D e s e a b a a E s t e l a . L a deseaba como c r e y o q u e j a m a ' s i b a a s e r c a p a z d e d e s e a r . ( p . 115) Then they felt Andres are for in^ porque era su vio amor, of was si, This not amor que and M a r i o blow just no cuya becomes living Estela edificio claro Andres of love. Estela "Todo sees leads desire together him to but and realizes believe that esperanza qued^ desecho. era s<5lo lo sentfa aware that a u t h e n t i c a l l y and deseo que clavaba." loving escaping what he love: de certeza lo that Estela, (p.117) Estela his por Desecho, is empty his and last chance sterile mode existence: El deseo no e r a s u f i c i e n t e p a r a l i b e r a r l o de l a n a d a y de la muerte, de l o s d i a s p i a n o s de su p a s a d o , n i d e l abismo f u t u r o que de p r o n t o v i o r o d e a ' n d o l o c o n su f r i o . s6lo e l amor j o v e n y a r m o n i o s o como e l de e s e p a r p o d i a r e s c a t a r l o . ( p . 118) At efforts the of "El, end Mario dentro of the novel, and Rene', appears de un Estela, to momento, - 44 yield iba - a under to the manipulative Andre's: acariciar esas palmas humedas, el, El rosadas, revelctndole las todos necesitaba, This is marks the After Estela from muelles, last of the ultimately of madness. Cedomil in Coronacion a esas vision of inadequacy, Goic iban su palmas." (p. 209) Estela's pink up poder. palms and motive. he d e l i b e r a t e l y escapes the of a this alienation sums a acariciar todo development r e j e c t s Andre's, of lo entregandole reiterative feelings through palmas secretos, rousing his world esas determinadamente the end sus y and anguish process into Andres a goes : De este modo c u a n d o e l e n g a n o d e l a m u c h a c h a y e l sentimiento de su rebajamiento, d e s u enajenaci6n l o arrojan en la c o n c i e n c i a d e l absurdo y d e l s i n s e n t i d o de todo, s e p r e c i p i t a r ^ en l a e x i s t e n c i a de l a l o c u r a , se enajenarci consciente y l i b r e m e n t e p a r a e v a d i r s e de la angustia atroz y d e l a c a f d a i n s o p o r t a b l e . De e s t e modo la existencia i n a u t e V i t i c a m o d i f i c a d a l u e g o en l a angustiosa a u t e n t i c i d a d c o n c l u y e p o r d e s e m b o c a r en o t r o modo de existir en que la conciencia anulada, aniquilada, a b r e l a p o s i b i l i d a d de e s c a p a r p a r a s i e m p r e a l temor y a l temblor d e l e x i s t i r consciente.13 Andre's' on the voluntary brink existence of a total provoked (symbolized the palms) reappear lugar sin pajaro de and be is la noche the in into in outcome in before madness the of by the after established primitive Coronacion one explored limites change by instincts pink submersion forces Estela and in being resolved to finally Jose order of the Promis Este his irrational motive domingo in been of same c o n f l i c t w h i c h d i f f e r e n t ways . According he h a s El of will and El obsceno Ojeda: Las tres novelas de Donoso p l a n t e a n , p u e s , cada una desde un angulo especifico, u n m i s m o p r o b l e m a o , m^s bien dicho, una misma o b s e s i d ' n : l a p r e c a r i e d a d de l a existencia. . . en E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a n o c h e , l a obsesid'n deja de s e r p l a n t e a m i e n t o y s e t r a n s f o r m a en mundo. De aqui que afirmemos que con e s t a n o v e l a se cierra y se cumple un ciclo, mas a l i a d e l c u a l no existe otra posibilidad e x p r e s i v a . Como e n e l c a s o d e Cien Anos de S o l e d a d , l a n o v e l a que cierra una etapa, despue's c a m b i a r de rumbo.14 The cyclical basic related These two areas: areas narrative aspects have already of and pertaining all and the of the a the the coherent human caste irrational disintegration and of elements; and the dominant of beliefs human roles systems; the upon on condition instinctive the in focus ambiguous, by taboos; t r a d i t i o n a l values thematic Donoso's personal author's narrative links masks and individual, which and techniques evolve away which structure negation In as of expressing an the the human from traditional realist objective, concrete capable in society of case of expressing El obsceno elements reality. the pajaro The limits of attributes of reality, his of towards questioning de la noche a of , reality. Coronacion presentacion and assert and, configurating social fiction reality the of verisimilitude narrative are vision factual to moral of the precariousness revealed hierarchical social theme the techniques. based. These his order against englobing society is to on of two initiated out: aspects emphasis part themes pointed and p e r s o n a l i t y ; established rebellion been e l broche s6lo cabe involves narrative thematic metaphysical reality and novels i n p a r a l l e l as main the four content developed individual; existence the are and Donoso's thematic The existentialist the of process. Coronacic'n and nature de Donoso es de la cual , Donoso uses "una univoca narrative sublevacid'n de la contra realidad."15 - 46 - techniques The todo interior appropriate intento de reality, or the interior Andre's, is realismo achieved de descriptiva realidad el una the the into use del determined by compleja the of of of he se y de as as: "la que la particularly Jitrik fuera r e a l i t y of technique Noe psiquico expresa each c h a r a c t e r this what rica interior characters, defines fluir the narrator what example novel's which campo imagen omniscience one by conciencia", en penetration is of concreta y mensurable, propone the coherence bien los es una canales realidad."16 each "el penetracidn si de calls: character This limits the narrative perspective is thinking applied to and y feeling. is Here Andres: i Y su a b u e l a ? <i No p a g a b a p a r a q u e c u i d a b a h a s u a b u e l a a t o d a s horas del d£a y d e l a n o c h e , como e r a n e c e s a r i o a s u s anos? icon qu6 derecho esta c h i q u i l l a l a dejaba sola para s a l i r a b e s u q u e a r s e c o n un c u a l q u i e r a en l a c a l l e ? Quizes este no fuera el primero, pero iba a ser e l ifltimo. ] En s d l o t r e s m e s e s ! S f , s u p o b r e a b u e l a t e n i a razon, Estela e r a una c o r r o m p i d a , c a s i una p r o s t i t u t a . j Su pobre abuela no e s t a b a l o c a , e r a n e s t o s j o V e n e s los l o c o s , los sucios y envenenados! ( p . 118) Seeing characters perfected. through a the is story a narrative Suspense, limited attempted through It seems more of the himself It is natural; and to not only Coronacic'n which is Elisa the and device of it places Donoso's James created reader reader view of the favoured and and filtered e f f e c t i v e than in of the the mental when story. v/orld interpret things for story. use of of evolves 47 of manipulation the the reminiscent - Henry be more godlike makes she that emotion follow the setting limited point view can omniscient, he w a n t s the tension, point characters if through - this Henry in is narrative James. The similar to technique in character of that of the senile Isis a old woman Quinteros symbolic use of that the has Screw Donoso of made an , the in in The images James's and Jamesian, and lives continent" of in of period seemingly Henry James' . Quinteros states to of Henry James. as Thomas C. and The T u r n of d e v e l o p e d by Jamesian both as important as Donoso's approach internalization i n f l u e n c e on D o n o s o accurate context, is to of the useful v/hich is in larger critics. conceptual framework of the is particular into what milieu surface with as Donoso contradictory perception - 48 of - women of sexual "dark the Victorian inhibitions the in deft portray a c u l t u r a l defense portrays Ramon; c a l l e d the truly respectability, operates and couples* couples in bourgeois series Freud These replete Elisa a these sexuality. particularly unattractive contains into turmoil. characters, non-ideological Coronacion hypocrisy of not insights bourgeois where to two d i f f e r e n t g e n e r a t i o n s : female characteristics prudery similar with exploration Adriana. relationships, prototype early Donoso's psychoanalytical a a more psychoanalytical Carlos in in The sex . the house latent terror are anglo-saxon p e r c e i v e d by married Papers of between Coronacion of Aspern use Poynton psychological that in is image James's Coronacio'n evidence Donoso's of associations literature than i n The James.17 with situating this atmosphere techniques, The that Spoils owes identification novel. out association specific settings, Venetian palazzo the maternal being certainly and Henry The a points image Donoso Meehan also image this in and mechanism problem of a bourgeois the milieu where, on Elisa's one power equilibrium, or as subjection of hand of they are feared engulfment d i d Ramon women t o the and - e.g. her and, on t h e role of threat other sexless, El abuelo le t e n i a t a n t o miedo pura, que p o r eso se i b a a l c l u b abuela a vezes l l o r a b a encerrada ( p . 59) eCreeras moral que Ram^n, me dormiamos corona de en e l c i e l o Andres who to hand perceives his the frigid mental elevation angels: a su m u j e r , porque e r a todas las noches, y l a en su d o r m i t o r i o . . . que s i e m p r e he s i d o una m u j e r t a n b u e n a , t a n n u n c a en t o d o s mis anos de c a s a d a p e r m e t i que mirara el cuerpo? Nunca, n u n c a , y eso que en l a misma c a m a . Ya v e s , dime se no m e r e z c o santa. E n f i n , D i o s p r e m i a r a mis s a c r i f i c i o s , dcindomela a l i a ' , (pp. 149-150) . t o d o s l o s hombres l o u n i c o que q u e r e n es a b u s a r con nosotras. . ., y e l p l a c e r es una c o c h i n a d a , una inmundicia. i;La vida es un asco y hay que b u s c a r refugio en la religion para no verse obligada a d e s c e n d e r h a s t a e s o y c o n t a m i n a r s e ! ( p . 151) Al ver aparecer a su m a r i d o , e l g e s t o de A d r i a n a se paralis^ en el aire, dej6 el pote en el velador, limpiandose autom^ticamente los dedos e n ^un panito celeste. No sentia miedo n i r e p u g n a n c i a . E s t e e r a un deber como c u a l q u i e r o t r o , n e c e s a r i o de v e z en c u a n d o , aunque preferia que fuera lo ma's de t a r d e en t a r d e p o s i b l e . ( p . 165) Adriana era capaz de quererlo hasta como para entregarle su cuerpo para que lo usara, como e s t a noche, por ejemplo. P e r o C a r l o s y a no t e n i a d e r e c h o a pedir que compartiera sus e m o c i o n e s . I F r i a l d a d ? Has bien no. Era simplemente un d e s e o de v i v i r t r a n q u i l a porque a su a l t u r a nada e r a p e o r que a b r i r n e c e s i d a d e s que se ahaban c o m o d a m e n t e s e l l a d a s en un r i n c d n de s u ser, casi, casi, olvidadas. (p.166) A of psychohistorian, female sexuality rapid change means exclusive the defense Denial of and and theory of for values, female Freud sexuality Peter fears uncertain mechanism female s u c h as male 49 the frigidity - thus - would as the in that a classic "reaction fears a period dominant a subconscious - argue dominance trigger analysed is Gay, but of by no example of formation". male attempt to reinforce In move his supremacy Coronacion towards symbolic , assuming present of in treatment and dimension evolve, of in significance the Coronacion archetypal character - who women the and symbolic to us skeletal usually Elisa's of as dimensions the of themes to the universalized significance novels. of is As the destruction and changes in the systems of main female characters basic literary death; Estela: life; to the actions of reacting to Elisa: catalysts constantly analyse Donoso d e p i c t s death. Elisa to These human e x i s t e n c e are myths represented Dora: the the presence of male of in the their function. Let Elisa. value later parallel incarnate Misici act are main are roles They characters system Donoso's objects functions. correspond This and narrative. , the women events symbolic which the there symbolic. The characters, representational in of primarily poverty. a events Coronacion upheaval.18 and existence. disintegration In mythic and human and novel's assign objects dimensions a time of the functions characters, in (in first the Elisa in Her appearance object. Donoso contrast associated symbolic to with is terms no often the sexual of incarnation that emphasize longer really associates the connotations Estela) . incarnation rostro, y cierta archetypal Here are of her of some the - closeness human, color death she is a white, w i t h color examples pink of death: la s e n e c t i t u d b a r r i o t o d a i n d i v i d u a c i d n de su dejando s o l o l a o s a m e n t a de una n a r i z s o b e r b i a f i j e z a i n s i s t e n t e en s u s o j o s de l o c a . (p.19) A v e c e s , a l g u n muchacho d e l con su bicicleta divisaba - 50 - Emporio entre F o r m i n o que e n t r a b a l o s v i s i l l o s de una ventana del segundo piso el nonagenaria que miraba l a l u z , 25) rostro bianco de que m i r a b a e l a i r e . la (p. El lecho de Misia Elisa G r e y de A b a l o s e r a una g r a n embarcacion de madera r e l u c i e n t e y o b s c u r a . La a n c i a n a se hallaba incorporada, blanca entre las sabanas. Con un espejo en una mano t e m b l o r o s a - e r a i n c r e i b l e q u e esos ojos de p^rpados como h a r a p o s f u e r a n c a p a c e s de recoger su i m a g e n en e l 6valo m i n d s c u l o de l a l u n a - y armada de una pinza, se e s t a b a s a c a n d o l o s p e l o s de menton. . . Ahora estoy como l o s ^ c a d a v e r e s , d i c e n que e l pelo les s i g u e c r e c i e n d o d e s p u e s que l o s e n t i e r r a n . . . ( P . 38) Dando dos que a c a r n e palmadas de d e l e i t e . . . ( p . 50) que sonaron mas a huesos La anciana seguia gimoteando. Sus fuerzas cesaron pronto, deja'ndola convertida en un ovillo insignificante y blanquecino e n t r e l a s s a b a n a s , en e l que la vida apenas exist la, apenas palpitaba. Sus manos, con un rosario entre los dedos, se habian plegado sobre s u pecho como l a s d e un m u e r t o , p e r o s u s l a b i o s s e m o v i a n . ( p . 53) . . . Estela fue senora, tan blancas h i l a d o . . . ( p . 94) r e u n i e n d o l a s mechas b l a n c a s de l a y t a n t r a n s p a r e n t e s como c r i s t a l La luz d i b u j a b a su n a r i z e s t u p i d a m e n t e a g u i l e n a , f i r m e aun, lo unico firme salvado del naufragio de e s t e rostro de escualidas blanduras, de esa mascara de anfractuosidades s u e l t a s blanqueadas por los anos, todo e m p e q u e n e c i d o p o r e l t i e m p o ( p . 195) En el silencio de la alcoba se escuchaba solo l a respiracid'n de las viejas dormidas, y una ultima levisima pluma blanca fue depositada por e l a i r e sobre la mano de M i s i a E l i s i t a , donde aun c o r r i a un p o c o de sangre por l a s venas a z u l o s a s . ( p . 203) From the beginning house she house where similar la this has Andre's terms casa, house p. been as 48) like of the novel, confined grew up. to for In fact, Elisa, it is as is a corpse she a ghost, Elisa more the a cadaver her of white - 51 - of is associated than with the tv/enty y e a r s , the house a house is described (el cadaver a woman. Dona E l i s a face occasionally in de haunts glimpsed at a window. of Elisa The house and non-functional, is described i n terms that resume Andre's, c o n t r i v e d , w i t h an excess somber, useless: of the lives decorations, La casa donde M i s i a E l i s a G r e y de A b a l o s v i v i a c o n sus dos ancianas c r i a d a s , L o u r d e s y R o s a r i o , e r a un c h a l e t adornado con b a l c o n e s , p e r i l l a s y e s c a l i n a t a s , en medio de un v a s t o j a r d i n humedo c o n d o s p a l m e r a s , u n a a c a d a lado de la entrada. Adema's de l o s dos p i s o s , a r r i b a habia otro p i s o o c u l t o p o r m a n s a r d a s c o n f i t a d a s c o n un sin fin de t o r r e c i t a s almenadas y r e c i r t e s de m a d e r a . La c a s a t e n i a un d e f e c t o : e s t a b a o r i e n t a d a c o n t a n p o c o acierto que l a fachada r e c i b i a s o l escasas horas . . . ( p . 13) quedO o b s e r v a n d o e s a c a s a d e f e n d i d a p o r de a r b o l e s h u m e d e c i d o s , g o t e a n d o aun despue's de la l l u v i a de l a t a r d e ; e r a una v i s i o n de l o i n u t i l , con sus adornos de mala c a l i d a d c o n f u n d i e n d o l a l i n e a esencial h a s t a b o r r a r l a a f u e r z a de pequenos torreones, mansardas innecesarias, terrazas, balcones que no se a b r i a n a p i e z a a l g u n a . ( p . 160) esqueletos We and have seen provokes, in se how E l i s a ' s him grandmother's pervasive his is madness, identity, a feeling of to death anxiety i n f l u e n c e , which w i l l embodied threatening proximity in the his mental house disturbs and Andre's terror. eventually lead and p e n e t r a t e s His to Andres equilibrium: Esta casa, en c a m b i o , de v i e j a s maderas i m p r e g n a d a s la voz de la enferma, era la p e o r amenaza p a r a c o r d u r a d e A n d r e ' s , ( p . 43) de la A l i i no podia p e r m a n e c e r . Su a b u e l a e s t a b a v i v a en e l cuarto de abajo. Con cada una de sus debiles respiraciones, la nonagenaria lo i b a c o c i e n d o mas y ma's a l a a n g u s t i a d e l o s d i a s a n t e r i o r e s . . . ( p . 1 2 5 ) Tengo miedo, s i , e s t a c a s a . ( p . 199) Andres Both perceives represent obliteration, engulfment an miedo t h e house all-engulfing of death which i n Coronacio'n is de acostarme and h i s t h e mouth - 52 grandmother maternal can swallow - a dormir as a repression, him up. Another which appears as a aqui en threat. a form of image of symbolic value of female (Estela) and toothless repulsion hags, holes which cerro' los aun ojos desdentada desdentada myth boca said e r a de c i e n Estela character function she, Elisa, the characters human e x i s t e n c e Estela, Elisa from in assumes instinctual the mansion she in of 40). the Lourdes when help vio her pink she care an and Dora (p. - 124) cavernous Mario cavidad donde . . are inmensa. esa (p.31) . . . . "su "La boca caverna 172). another and presence basic literary this symbolic in a catalyst moribund, symbolic life. arrives for to the to in the the actions of dimension of por algo palms with well are oligarchic incarnation of sexuality, She is 17 work in the years in Her Estela of casi a symbolic which appears throughout in the fresh Abalos presence Andres: i n s t i n c t i v o , algo part old, decaying Elisa. response sexuality as repressed, dying instinctive pink and T e n c h i t a as the light, acechado Estela's color as boca borrar (p. life attraction represents. the "Andres - of threatening, incarnates to the novel evokes (p. react to immediately se who responses, to para forms Elisa "Abrio' l a anos" acts contrast country up: as extraido", archetypal male appear entreabierta" that like Elisa). todo, mal hallaba have of dente extreme and one para borrarlo de su its mouths swallow el se in (Dora their can sangraba We sexuality . . . salvaje" association relation to novel: . . un s i l l o n p e q u e n o y r o s a d o como e l c u e r p o de u n a persona desnuda. Lourdes, que ya engordaba, debia p a r e c e r s e a e s e r e c h o n c h o s i l l o n c a p i t o n e . ( p . 57) . su c u e r p o desnudo b a j o sin duda e r a baftado p o r l a l u z v e l a d o r . ( p . 128) - 53 - e l tosco camisdh s u e l t o , r o j i z a de a l a m p a r i a d e l We have Andre's' repressed associated sexual with how E s t e l a ' s sexual the connotation attraction with seen (Estela) Tenchita, caricature of desires. mouth, of colour Estela's become in in this its (Tenchita). appears attraction for in a fixation the. case presents pink repulsion female s e x u a l i t y palms As Donoso the and pink of for sexuality image extreme When and the forms of associated a grotesque, repulsive Andres: Despues d e ^ unos instantes aparecio Tenchita ataviada con un penador de s e d a . E r a como un g r a n p a s t e l c o l o r rosa, adornado con anillos, prendedores, aros de f a n t a s i a , ( p . 112) La fiebre le producia escalofrios, aseguro, envolviendose los hombros en su chal de fina lana rosada. . . . Donaldo me l o t r a j o a n o c h e d e r e g a l o , fijese que es a m o r o s o . D i j o que q u e r i a verme r o s a d i t a entera c u a n d o me d e s p e r t a r a e n s u l a d o e n l a m a n a n a . . al indicar a su marido, descubrid* a l o s o j o s de Andre's la palma de su mano, r o s a d a , m u e l l e , c r u d a . (p, 113) It is opposite of Interesting extremes that (e.g. of Elisa opposites within strength of of a t t r a c t i o n and inspire extremes the use same technique grotesque repulsion. recurs images this that in appear parodies This his in of dual subsequent Coronacion shawl). and Andres carries Donoso's which frequently using the pink note symbolic attraction presentation novels of to her belong the to an o l d , dark, dying world. power of youth, spark of the life Estela and a will: Entonces Mario la v i o e n t e r a i l u m i n a d a , como s e f u e r a el c e n t r o mismo de l a g r a n l l a m a r a d a a z u l y p e l i g r o s a . . d e n t r o de e l l a se h a b i a i d o r e s t a n d o l a f a c u l d a d de entregarse, manteniendo, s i n embargo, v i v o y o c u l t o e l germen de su voluntad y de sus g u s t o s , l o s que una manera o de o t r a y s i n que n a d i e l o s u p i e r a , t e r m i n a b a p o r c u m p l i r . ( p . 46) - 54 - Solo s u s o j o s , s i e m p r e g a c h o s , p e r m a n e c i a n i g u a l e s : clos ranuras hdmedas y oblicuas. Pero ahora no e r a r a r o verlos a b r i r s e de p r o n t o p a r a m i r a r de f r e n t e , y en e s e fondo negrisimo surgia subitamente algo como una i n t e n s a l l a m a r a d a a z u l . ( p . 49) Estela life and and Elisa death represent which symbolically alternately frighten the and opposite attract poles of Andre's: Erraba interminablemente de h a b i t a c i o n en h a b i t a c i o h , vestido de b a t a y p a n t u f l a s , p e r o s i e m p r e s i n e n t r a r a l cuarto de la nonagenaria, y esquivando posibles encuentros con Estela. Su angustia se hallaba suspendida entre esos dos extremos, uno y o t r o e r a n objetos de su huir que lo m a n t e n i a f l o t a n d o en una existencia c r e p u s c u l a r despue's de l a v i d a y a n t e s de l a m u e r t e . . . ( p . 126) Estela's lover, sexuality and A n d r e s , affects but and also attracts not only Mario, her Carlos: . en e l momento mismo d e e n t r a r en e s e c u a r t o c o n olor a colcho'n en desuso y a armario vacio, la presencia a n i m a l de E s t e l a t e n d i d a en e l l e c h o l o h a b i a perturbado. . . . Con su antebrazo, la muchacha defendia sus o j o s de l a l u z de l a a m p o l l e t a d e s n u d a que colgaba en el m e d i o d e l t e c h o , d e modo q u e d e b a j o d e la blusa los tendones de l a a x i l a e r g u i a n sus pechos. Carlos busco' ese color rosado muelle de l a s palmas descrito con t a n t a t u r b a c i d ' n p o r Andre's y a l v e r l o , un violento deseo de p a l p a r a E s t e l a a c o m e t i d * a l medico, ( p . 154) The of girl's life world: and her "Desde mientras que producian otra The Estela she pregnancy separation ese el vida carries shadowed inevitable by the de todo Estela completando spark within with from the momento vientre enduring escapes emphasizes Mario of her is dos vidas and evoked at 55 fue en of conjugadas bellamente de p e r f e c c i o n . " (p. the will strength the novels of towards of machismo, the and the 155) that conclusion mansion - Andres' disminucidh, Abalos innocence - incarnation sterility Andre's ciclo values of archetypal moribund para life from the degraded corruption un her a as future seemingly descent into destruction. Estela's the flicker only of triumph at the novel's finale is slightly optimistic towards an u n c e r t a i n , ambiguous f u t u r e : note climatic Donoso injects Ella, como sonimbula, s i n escuchar los insultos del muchacho, con las facciones manchadas de sangre, caminaba. Sus p i e r n a s c a s i no l e obedecian. Pero en e l fondo de las tinieblas de su d o l o r f i s i c o habia una chispa que podia t r a n s f o r m a r s e en c l a r i d a d , una c e r t e z a f i e r a de su t r i u n f o . (p. 211) Dora also character - described as incarnates another basic myth of archetypal she r e p r e s e n t s p o v e r t y , misery, d e g e n e r a t i o n . She i s a hag, whining, c r y i n g , i n her d i r t y , c o l d , s m e l l y h o v e l surrounded by hungry children: la mujer de Rene, ahora era un e s p e c t r o . E l escaso ,pelo graciento l e colgaba t i e s o d e t r a s de l a s o r e j a s . Su cara era como s i a l g u i e n h u b i e r a abandonado un t r a p o l a c i o encima de alambres t o r c i d o s en l a forma de sus f a c c i o n e s de antes y e l t r a p o se h u b i e r a quedado a l i i , un remedo c o l g a n t e de su a n t i g u a c a r a . (p. 30) La " u l t i m a vez fue t a l e l asco que l e produjo su mujer, no s6lo su cuerpo e n v e j e c i d o y mal o l i e n t e , s i n o que ma's aun, esa pas i o n , esa s e n s u a l i d a d anhelante y frustrada, que permanecid' muchos d i a s s i n i r a su c a s a . (p. 96) La Dora lloraba todo e l d i a por su embarazo, y l o s chiquillos, con l o s mocos chorreando, d e t e n i a n sus juegos insoportablemente b u l l i c i o s o s para, p e d i r de comer una y o t r a y o t r a vez. (p. 135) La m i s e r i a de l a c a s a , l a f e a l d a d de l a mujer que l o reciibid', e l o l o r a l a comida y a cama s i n hacer y a ninbs s u c i o s , . . . (p. 183) embarazada. rebeldia Dora's e . . . incomodidad degeneration pessimistic e l embarazo persistio,ha»iendola q u e j a r s e de durante and projection poverty towards horas that the e n t e r a s . " (p. 122) embodies future. Donoso's It is most What i s to prevent Mario and E s t e l a from becoming the same as Rene and Dora? Mario's relationship with Estela - 56 - is based on the same degraded values perceives love towards Estela reassure his of as machismo a and own p r i d e trap a as Rene' and and he compulsion and sense relationship. constantly to of Dora's feels humiliate male her He resentment in order to superiority: Era chica y huasa, y s e l e h a b i a e n t r e g a d o . En o t r a s mujeres h a b i a s e n t i d o e l p e l i g r o s o d e s e o de e n v o l v e r l o , seducirlo, vencerlo, pero no de e n t r e g a r s e . E s t e l a s e h a b i a e n t r e g a d o . Por eso todo e r a t a n p e r f e c t o . " - A y i f d a m e , no se' . . . " Sdbitamente, sus propias palabras dichas en un momento de. ardor confuso r e g r e s a r o n a su memoria p a r a derribar el orgullo. Mird' a esa mujer que cosia satisfecha, como para d e s t r u i r l a con su r e s e n t i m i e n t o por conocerlo tan d e b i l y d e s n u d o . I P o r c u l p a de e s a s malditas p a l a b r a s que l o a m a r r a b a n , y a no s e r i a p o s i b l e comentar nada con sus a m i g o s ! No, no i b a a d e c i r n i una sola palabra, aunque se r i e r a n de e l cuando c o n t e s t a r a a l a s p r e g u n t a s c o n e v a s i v a s . En r e a l i d a d , l o m e j o r e r a no volver al Condor, i Por culpa de E s t e l a se v e f a reducido a la suerte de l o s e n a m o r a d o s ! Una m a r e a de odio hacia ella l o d e j o ' e s t u p e f a c t o . \ N o , il n o h a b i a caido en el g a r l i t o ! £ Enamorarse? \ Eso e r a p a r a l o s imbeciles que no c o n o c i a n a l a s m u j e r e s ! A h o r a 4l l a s conocia bien. E ' s t a n o e r a ma's q u e u n a e n t r e l a s m u c h a s mujeres que iba a seducir, t o d a s i g u a l e s . ? A c a s o no sigui6 c a d a uno de l o s p a s o s de l a t a n c o n o c i d a t e c n i c a de l a s e d u c c i d n , y e l l a cayo" i g u a l que t o d a s ? S i , todas iguales, lo demas era cosa de imbeciles . . . (p. 100-101) Estela's ultimate Dora's pregnancy female trap and terrifies he sees Mario his who future perceives in terms of it as Rene' the and situation: Estela se cubrio' e l ventre con l a s m a n o s como p a r a protegerlo. Nada mas. Y las manos de Mario se suavizaron apenas un segundo s o b r e l o s hombros de l a muchacha al ver su g e s t o . Pero inmediatamertte, p o s e i d o de una furia mayor y mas p e l i g r o s a , s a c u d i d * a E s t e l a u n a y o t r a v e z , a u n c o n mas v i o l e n c i a : d'.'Estai esperando, jetona de mierda? I 'Estai esperando? ? E s t a i esperando? Su voz t e m b l a b a a l r e p e t i r l a p r e g u n t a de n u e v o y de nuevo, premiosa, aterrada, furibunda, mientras sacudia a E s t e l a como s i q u i s i e r a d e s a r m a r l a , m i e m b r o a miembro. ^ - S i . . . - murmuro ella. Entonces, como si t o d a l a f u e r z a de Rene h u b i e r a - 57 - poseido su cuerpo, Mario d i d un g o l p e s a l v a j e c o n l a mano abierta en l a c a r a de E s t e l a , q u e lanscS un g e m i d o de a n i m a l . t a m b i e n quleres j o d e r m e , h u e v o n a de m i e r d a ? Y huyo , dejando a Estela sola, palpandose la m e j i l i a c o n l a p u n t a d e s u s d e d o s . ( p . 13 8) 7 A Estela! El ya no e r a n i n g u n i n c a u t o que s e i b a a dejar pescar por la primera mujer a quien l e habia hecho u n c h i q u i l l o ! No e r a l a p r i m e r a v e z q u e p a s a b a , a muchos de sus amigos les habia sucedido y siempre lograban esconderse o huir. f'Cualquier cosa menos dejarse pescar! Y m e n o s p o r E s t e l a , q u e ademcfs d e t o d o era una l a d r o n a , s i , l a d r o n a , p o r q u e a e l no l e i b a n a contar cuentos, esos cinco mil pesos eran robados. J Como no! ^.Para q u e ' l a m u j e r l o h i c i e r a t r a b a j a r como un caballo, y e l l a a n d u v i e r a r a b i o s a y quejcindose todo el tiempo, y despues del segundo o t e r c e r c h i q u i l l o quedara convertida en un espantap^jaros asqueroso, igual que la Dora? No, n o . Con r a z o n l o s c a b r o s d e l club se reian de ^1 porque ahora l o encontraban tan s e r i o . i J u n t a r s e c o n e l l a ? I P a r a que*? E l m u n d o , y s o b r e todo el mundo de Rene', estaba l l e n o de m u j e r e s con quienes era facil pasarlo bien sin necesidad de amarrarse. Porque el, a h o r a , no i b a a d e j a r s e a m a r r a r por n a d i e . (p. 139-40) Like Rene, order to feels insecure to Mario justify reassure about himself others with his courage - the his needs to abusive, his about macho his situation on a woman e x p l o i t a t i v e treatment of own m a s c u l i n i t y his male prowess, classic blame his and he virility. He strength, his her. constantly seeks to in He needs impress independence, his syndrome: - I La j e t o n a se l o t r a g d ! - r i d Rene. Mario repitid* la p a l a b r a , r i e n d o con su hermano, la s a b o r e o p r o n u n c i a n d o l a una y o t r a v e z , muchas v e c e s , las mas veces que pudo. H a c e r l o quiza's d i s o l v i e r a sus ultimas ataduras c o n E s t e l a , q u i z a s b o r r a r a un t e m b l o r que sentfa, uri trepidar que se insinuaba en sus visceras, e n s u s m u s c u l o s , e n s u s n e r v i o s , como s i t o d o estuviera nadando i n g r a v i d o e n s u i n t e r i o r . ApretO l o s dientes para dominar ese temblor, para hacer algo, cualquier cosa que l o o b l i g a r a a m a n t e n e r su e n t e r e z a , porque ya era imposible e c h a r p i e a t r a s . E s t o no e r a momento para f a l l a r . A l f i n y a l c a b o n i 4l n i t a m b i e ' n la Dora y los chiquillos; y l a m i s e r i a que l o h a b f a obligado a a b a n d o n a r s u b u e n e m p l e o en e l e m p o r i o p a r a ir en busca de Rene; y su reloj perdido; y esta - 58 - necesidad ahogadora de evadirse se su p r o p i a sombra para rozar s i q u i e r a d e s d e l e j o s l a s c o s a s b u e n a s de l a vida, e s a s c o s a s que l o s h a b i t a n t e s de l a c a s a que v e i a en la acera del frente d e b i a n t e n e r a manos l l e n a s ; todo eso culpable, no e ' l . J Y a u n q u e Rene' y e'l f u e r a n culpables, que' importaba? L a p o l i c i a y l o s a n o s en l a carcel carcomiendole poco a p o c o l o s escombros de su dignidad, en el fondo de una celda fetida? ? No importaba un b l e d o ! H a b i a que a r r i e s g a r s e , p r o b a r a h o r a o n u n c a que e r a un h o m b r e ! ( p . 2 0 4 - 1 0 ) In their characters reactions advance Carlos and social classes are which the dichotomy, feminine points actions of the and Rene interior of in and exterior social the characters of the male characters, will lugar sin with limites and as a novels) once For lost are characters a l l social caught up the and text the and by world of the into Mario), by p r o v i d i n g being therefore divides the reference catalysts determining a for the the process action. an some El paradise prevailed of narrative presents recur, appears nostalgia. also They two decomposition. the Abalos male which boundaries. and the existential conflicts the Coronacion symetrical positions novel. male a c t i o n . Andre's male of of of the main the organize level in the for narrative level structure world characters, A l l human a n d archetypes female occupy social lineal (the the narrative transcend the process While the depicted faced with chaos in Mario to and archetypal variations, obsceno where this pajaro order past is (so in de reduction Este la domingo noche important often of evoked . The time, , El past in Donoso's in terms of example: "tPero esta paz era un mendrugo cuando Andres recordaba a s u a b u e l a en o t r o s t i e m p o s ! t'Tan a r m o n i o s a entonces, tan diestra y callada! Toda l a casa h a b i a respirado s e r e n i d a d en a q u e l l a e p o c a , l o que t o c a b a i b a adquiriendo orden y sentido. iiY habia sido tan - 59 - hermosa!" The past is (p.19). evoked in terms of its serenity, security and beauty: En l a s t i e n d a s de c o s a s u s a d a s , en c a m b i o , p o l v o r i e n t a s y en desorden, atendidas por caballeros un poco zarrapastrosos y d e o r i g e n o s c u r o , como t a m b i i n e n e s o s objetos y volumenes duenos de ma's h i s t o r i a que e l , existfa un algo indefinible que le proporcionaba apaciguamiento y confianza no c a r e n t e s de m i s t e r i o , como si esos cuartos r e p l e t o s de t r a s t o s y de l i b r o s viejos estuvieron deliciosamente domesticados, sin las a r i s t a s de l a s t i e n d a s de o b j e t o s n u e v o s . ( p . 108) Hallaba de su epocas 109) una seguridad palma aquellas y continentes Tanto existencia viaje de imposible ( p . 145) As Jose repitiendo a trave's nostalgia espacio del Lourdes como e l p a r e c i a n haber o l v i d a d o l a de todo el mundo, h a b e r s e e m b a r c a d o en un regreso a una epoca en que p a r a e l l o s e r a perderse porque todo v a l o r les era conocido. Ojeda de has (p.41) lost comments: las parafso, m e t a f f s i c o de Andres vida" Promis el la "ese from the unbearable refuge in i t . Madness order with the los la present, represents se va precisamente, la por que reencontrar el permanencia."19 que away motivos es, de hombre y orden turns de de Donoso anhelo felicidad when Andre's "Uno novelas escapes associates c o l m a d o r a a l s e n t i r en e l h u e c o empunaduras que o t r a s manos, en d i s t a n t e s , habian e n t i b i a d o . (p. era la from any he esencia hope chooses order for of misma de a future madness, Andre's he la and takes and he past: " . . . todo no es ma's que un desorden, una injusticia, un juego de l o c u r a d e l C o s m o s . S i h a y un Dios que v e l e por e l d e s t i n o de l o s h o m b r e s , no puede ser sino un Dios l o c o . <f Que' l o c u r a ma's c o m p l e t a q u e haber dotado a los hombres de c o n c i e n c i a p a r a d a r s e cuenta del desorden y del terror, p e r o no h a b e r l e s dotado de algo para vencerlos? . . . e l ifnico orden es la l o c u r a , p o r q u e l o s l o c o s son l o s que se han dado cuenta d e l caos t o t a l . " ( p . 157) - 60 - Madness Donoso's return to of a form following the nostalgia, have is an of novels) lost order and for paradise, infantile (another i m p o r t a n t theme Andres, to lost regression. madness innocence, This is the is also a refuge last in image a in we Andres: "Quando Carlos p a r t i o , Andre's se puso sus g a f a s y extendi^ el perio'dico. Despue's l o p u s o a su l a d o y s e dirigio' a la b i b l i o t e c a en b u s c a de un c o r t a p l u m a s . Corto el diario en trozos regulares, bien cuadrados, con lo que fue h a c i e n d o p a j a r i t a s de p a p e l , como l a s que su abuela le habia ensenado a h a c e r d u r a n t e un invierno muy lluvioso y muy f r £ o q u e e ' l p a s c ^ e n c a m a enfermo de e s c a r l a t i n a , c u a n d o a r e m u y , muy n i f f o . " (p. 218) . - The on the future ambiguity actions Abalos the mansion have as is (as actions and not some Consistent and Estela's presented earlier their the fate as same Rent's relationship Estela's Promis Ojeda seems degraded w i t h Dora the as critics of emphasis reality together away would have the values based, believe) be t h a t "machismo" appear as of the towards inevitable fall. to of us these from a utopic projection destined is with Donoso's ambiguous flight a temporary postponement said, and human Mario Dora Mario ambiguous. of create, future rather is As Rene upon but we and which impediments to salvation. resumes this pessimistic outlook: "Si aceptamos que la decadencia proviene de la vaciedad de un f a l s o o r d e n e s t a b l e c i d o , s i g n i f i c a que tambien debemos suponer la c a i d a d e l mundo d e R e n e y Dora. Este s e r i g e a s i m i s m o p o r un f a l s o o r d e n , b a s a d o fundamentalmente en e l m a c h i s m o y en e l o d i o , es d e c i r , tambieVi en valores degradados. El machismo es, al respecto, el obstciculo que se tiende entre Mario y Estela . . . Tanto e l mundo d e A n d r e s c o m o e l d e R e n / s o n , pues, mundos f i n a l e s , d e g r a d a d o s , mundos donde e l o r d e n precario que l o s s o s t i e n e e s t a ' a p u n t o de q u e b r a r s e . E l - 61 - colapso inminente de ambos sectores sociales se manifiesta en forma a p a r e n t e m e n t e d i s i m i l , p e r o no se trata mas que de sintomas distintos de una mdtua solidariedad en la desaparicio'n y l a m u e r t e . . . Se trata, en el fondo, de m o s t r a r l a c a i d a f i n a l de un mundo entero que agoniza por haber perdido e l s e n t i d o ma's p r o f u n d o d e s u s e r " . 2 0 The Donoso's of theme of novels and destruction it orchestrates act characters: Andres, a symbol perceive and- although they of in life these to male them action. Rene'and fall The these from theme innocence, the the recurrent treatment fall the dominates process element of the in themes said catalysts to the actions is who a t t r a c t e d by fears Elisa evolution of act as and of Mario, the the feminine the youth and for the continuity and Elisa forces death who in also women, strength actions a t t r a c t i o n and the main of Rene, see relationships Andres of they catalysts advances narrative the incarnation engulfment alternating that and in disintegration life-giving Mario a t t r a c t e d to women the the repression; pov/ers whose as the Coronaci<5n of have The and the organizes determines narrative of repulsion level of in Coronacion is between Andre's and and, to a lesser Dora. relationships, paradise of of maternal a l l , extent, of main We who characters Estela the essence initially women. the is novel. the are Estela, In of fear After by the and largely provided and as incarnates as the theme in archetypes Estela fall disintegration. archetypal destruction and is This that and and the the into fall, violence woman f u n c t i o n s earthly the of chaos lost sexuality - 62 - and as cause eventual paradise, are the the the old for the destruction. corruption biblical of myths which bourgeois essential society structural Andres, who himself an has has cultivated basis of abandoned atheist, is and CoronaciOn his Catholic inescapably a . which p r o v i d e It i s i r o n i c that faith part the and of proclaims this biblical legacy. The culminating Misia Elisa lugar sin image, Misia by lfmites which Elisa's triumph her point drunken the represents novel i s the c o r o n a t i o n ends with a grotesque, a d i s i n t e g r a t i n g world. The coronation is of s e r v a n t s . L i k e Este domingo and E l , Coronacion of madness. And crowning of a death ritual symbolic ceremony of symbolizing the as i n the case of Andres* madness, i n the of M i s i a E l i s a ' s madness as she l i v e s her death there i s a sense of refuge, of reaching towards p a r a d i s e : "Quedaba apenas una llamita de v i d a en l a serfora, . casi, c a s i nada de c o n c i e n c i a . S i n embargo, d i v i s d ' estrellas a trave's de los vidrios llovidos de la ventana, y como ya no era capaz de d i s t i n g u i r d i s t a n c i a ni c e r c a n f a , a l ver l u c e s remontando por l o s regueros de m o s t a c i l l a s d e l s u e l o h a s t a l o s b r i l l o s de su v e s t i d o de gran aparato, penso" que tambien eran e s t r e l l a s d e l firmamento, y que la envolvian e n t e r a . Supuso", entonces, que ya habia muerto, y que iba subiendo entre tanta y tanta estrella, subiendo muy suavemente a camino d i r e c t o d e l c i e l o . Despue's cerr<5 l o s o j o s . Estaba tan agotada que no se d i o cuenta de que s6lo en ese i n s t a n t e morl'a, y no antes, cuando creyd* ver a todas l a s c o n s t e l a c i o n e s rodea'ndola". (p. 219) As terms a novel, Coronacion outlined,the f i r s t i s , i n the thematic and n a r r a t i v e s t e p towards the "unsubdued f o r e s t where the wolf howls and the obscene b i r d of n i g h t - 63 - chatters."21 Chapter All Edition, quotes 1969 from two Coronacio n notes taken / 1. Ana Maria Moix, Prdlogo (Barcelona: Seix B a r r a l , 1971). to from Seix Cuentos Barral Second Jose' Donoso , 2. A more d e t a i n e d a n a l y s i s o f e a r l i e r ( p r e 1970) critical commentaries of Coronacion reveals a fairly wide range of differing emphasis and o p i n i o n s ( o f t e n c o n t r a d i c t o r y ) w i t h i n t h e general interpretive framework of traditional realism. For example: Fernando A l e g r i a ( L a l i t e r a t u r a c h i l e n a d e l s i a l o XX , Santiago: Zig-Zag 2nd E d . , 1962) p p . 9 3 - 9 4 , s a y s t h a t t h e n o v e l lacks profoundness and maturity; Carlos Rauld ("Jose' Donoso, Coronacion", Finis T e r r a e , No. 17, Y e a r V, 1958, p. 81-82) s a y s that the novel is close to total m a t u r i t y and i n c a r n a t e s an existential attitude towards l i f e ; R i c a r d o Lachman ("Coronacio/n por Jose' Donoso", C a r n e t C r i t i c o , Ed. A f a , M o n t e v i d e o , 1962, p. 190-93) e m p h a s i z e s t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l a s p e c t s o f t h e n o v e l ; Thomas C. Meehan ("Jose' D o n o s o , C o r o n a c i o n " , Books A b r o a d , V o l . 4 3 , No. 2, Spring 1969, p. 233) s t a t e s t h a t D o n o s o i s t h e s u c c e s s o r to Eduardo Barrio in the t r a d i t i o n of Chilean p s y c h o l o g i c a l novel; Enrique Lafourcade ("Jose Donoso, Coronacion", Cujtura Universitaria , Caracas, July-August, 1958) emphasizes the novel's solid structure and i t s a l t e r n a t i n g b r u t a l r e a l i t y and poetic ingenuity; Hernan Poblete Varas ("Novelistas de H o y " , Atenea , No. 389, I 9 6 0 , p. 175-77) m a i n t a i n s t h a t Donoso i s so limited by traditional realism that he completely neglects d e v e l o p i n g f a n t a s y and i m a g i n a t i o n . 3. Jose Donoso, Historia Personal E d i t o r i a l Anagrama, 1972), p.36. 4. realidad , (Barcelona: 7, 8. 1973, Jose p. 12, Donoso, "Cronologfa", "Chronology", t r a n s l a t e d by I s i s Quinteros. 10. George Lukacs, Nagel, C o l l e c t i o n Pens^e, 11. 12. narrativa contra la Donoso, "La n o v e l a como ' h a p p e n i n g ' " , Revista V o l . X X X V I I ( J u l y - December, 1 9 7 1 ) , No. 7 6 - 7 7 , 9. Interview with JosO Review , F a l l , 1973, p. 37. la "Boom" Isis Quinteros, J o s e ' Donoso. una insurecciOn ( M a d r i d , H i s p a n o v a de E d i c i o n e s , 1 9 7 8 ) , p.13. 5. 6. Jose Iberoamericana , p.519). Fall, del Donoso, by Existent ialisme 1948) p. 3 1 . Review , Emir Rodriguez Monegal, ou Marxisme? (Paris;,: Ariel D o r f m a n , " N o t a s p a r a un a n a l i s i s raarxista de c h i l e n a de l o s u l t i m o s a n o s " , C a s a de l a s A m e r i c a s , - 64 - No. 69, mundo de pp. 13. , Year XII, p. 75; p. 35. Cedomil G o i c (and o t h e r s ) . D o n o s o , l a d e s t r u c c i o n de un (Buenos A i r e s : F e r n a n d o G a r c i a C a m b e i r o , E d . , 1975) p.55. 14. Jose* u n mundo , 30-31. 15. November-December, Promis (Buenos Salvador O j e d a (and o t h e r s ) , Donoso. l a A i r e s : Fernando G a r c i a Cambeiro Elizondo, El Grafo'logo , (Mexico, destruccion Ed., 1975), n.p., 1972), p.67. 16. NoO Jitrik, "Realismo y antirealismo" in Actual narrativa latinoamericana (Havana: Centro de Investigaciones L i t e r a r i a s , C a s a de l a s A m e r i c a s , 1 9 7 0 ) , p. 2 5 . 17. Thomas Abroad , V o l . 43, C. No. Meehan, "Jose 2, S p r i n g 1969, Donoso, p. 233. 18. Peter Gay, "The Bourgeois Freud", Volume I, Education of the University Press, 1983). 19. sons ) . 20. Jose Promis Ojeda, pp. Coronacio'n", Books Experience: Victoria to Senses (England: Oxford 16-17, 21. Henry James Sr., e x t r a c t from a l e t t e r w r i t t e n to his Henry and W i l l i a m ( P r e f a c e t o E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a n o c h e - 65 - Chapter Este 1966. domingo El lugar publication is sin of Jose volume o f s h o r t s t o r i e s , The Ana short stories Maria, reflect short the of innocence; upper social systems; destroy order. exorcist his of style and pervasive also theme by evolution more and a of thematic repeatedly reality the more inevitable in hierarchical madness when of previous s e x u a l i t y of instincts that a writer i s an launched self-defining o f h i s p a s t . The from in unity. The a process e v o l u t i o n i n form c h a r a c t e r i z e s and single and most illuminates i s that of d e s t r u c t i o n . are p a r t o f Donoso's n a r r a t i v e author's gradual techniques complex - ( E l Hombrecito, i s implacably search another 1960. repressed a progressive strong narrative a the to exorcize himself a in , i n Donoso's Vargas L l o s a once s a i d on the Paseo, S a n t e l i c e s ) dependence demons. Donoso Between theme o f t h e c a t a c l i s m o f d e a t h and illustrate towards and in E l Charleston traditional realism domination which stories present : the in dominao , appeared paradise; i s marked by Donoso's a p p r e h e n s i o n The lost writing search of Este Cerrada, obsessions the own process Puerta published i n 1966. in E l Charleston Coronacion Mario earliest this the his never-ending of contained in classes; and E l Charleston same t h e m a t i c and second novel a l s o appeared i n 1957 Charleston, stories loss the El Donoso's limites CoronaciOn three 66 and shift away f r o m their attributes n a r r a t i v e f o r m where - the of ambiguity dominates. to a Donoso moves s t e p world different world of versions whose needs. the is themes Este life are emanating obsessed from and presents a schizophrenic driven by t h e i r T h e s e c h a r a c t e r s , d r i v e n by t h e i r perhaps the s h o r t sterile vitality. palms for in own obsessions, in The dog a l l her like events and memories. Donoso The to i n P a s e o becomes repressed ). Matilda , a first characters and I n P a s e o and E s t e enhances the for innocence of childhood aware the the narrator process decay, of nostalgic of poignant Este novel a seen in Donoso evocation dominao is and of that a different Este . filters h i s childhood used perception by of p o i n t of view a l s o and t h e n o s t a l g i a from t h e p o i n t o f view o f a loss vital pink domingo frequently of the past inevitable chaos is domingo t h e c h i l d ' s evocation Estela's submerged i n h e r through children class for Matilda, a subjective narrator the d e s t r u c t i o n of childhood violence, destruction a present reality. (like of as i n c a s e d i n and Chepa i n E s t e person, of a fetish instincts world on t h e l o w e r i s an i n d i v i d u a l of personality incarnate i s depicted dependent Andre's i n C o r o n a c i o n E s t e domingo resumes many o f and a n t i c i p a t e s t h e n o v e l i s t i c routine r i t u a l s , Coronacion obsessions s t o r y which b e s t . In Paseo t h e upper c l a s s of fixation the reality i n Coronacion domingp for As environment u s u a l l y overcome by c h a o s and d e s t r u c t i o n . Paseo a of from a r e a l i s t i c f a n t a s y and m y s t e r y . The a u t h o r characters unconscious are dream, by s t e p of that innocence, aspect domingo of innocence. The the f a l l into the theme of i s t h e most s u b t l e and process. i s concerned with - 67 - t h e same u p p e r class Chilean family world mansion, of family providing hostile bourgeois main wife alone in place for a their large their and formally couples Coronacio'h grandmother lives with locked of Este rich upperclass family children one the psychopathic in : a decaying (Chepa), a measure servants of sexual uncommunicative of and whom family domingo couple home, is cook are: in which now and the is and Alvaro's Vives fifties the are Violeta, mistress; as meeting important narrator; abandoned and living Sunday who adult family, Alvaro their grandchildren c r i m i n a l from a poor Maya, a a child by mother. Alvaro is inauthentic vitality from and the like a . teniamos He white y personaje in de point no con farsa a useless seems a l i v e el and traje muy b i a n c o como and Alvaro's relationship Ramon and Carlos and other sexually another life, seeking echaba juegos the him "la evoked Elisa children Chepa 68 - llamabamos de p o r c e l a n a (p. - similar in Coronacidn has always Chepa, in he is muneca": la era un muneca envejecida, y 17) is unsatisfied. - resembles call polvos." Adriana and when ridiculamente. entallado, en n u e s t r o s and to they Chepa husband sterile - strangely view, se v/ith each Andres of t e o r f a de que communicate to Violeta. Alvaro, doll que respects a servant, longer e r a muy b i a n c o , la in porcelain seco many leading sexuality child's "Pequeno porque similar character Coronacic'n her a sterile characters Chepa, characters and masters' by in relationships. The his described dominated their stimulation, his ritual to that of . They been like Elisa cannot frigid Elisa with and Adriana, her trapped in nearly bourgeois counterpart a contradictory dual rendered Alvaro For terms of the g r a n d c h i l d r e n , of nostalgia harmony and of Coronacidn r o l e of impotent repressive matriarch continually in on a pure sexless their seeking to wedding engulf Chepa and A l v a r o ' s a lost paradise. , It angel who and a dominate. is represents been night and house has evoked a bygone in era tranquility: Aquf l a i n e s t a b i l i d a d de d e p a r t a m e n t o s y c a l l e s y c a s a s que yo habitaba c o n mis p a d r e s d u r a n t e un ano o dos y despue's abandonabamos para mudarnos a barrios distintos, se transformaba en ^ p e r m a n e n c i a y s o l i d e z , porque mis abuelos siempre h a b i a n v i v i d o a q u f y nunca se cambiarfan. Era l a confianza, e l orden:-un trazado que reconocer como proprio, un s a b e r donde e n c o n t r a r los objetos, un c a l z a r de d i m e n s i o n e s , un r e c o n o c e r l o significado de los olores, de los colores en e s t e s e c t o r d e l u n i v e r s o que e r a mao. ( p p . 12-13) This The tranquility hidden destroys the process is realization progression Alvaro which repressed infernal world all is aware evoked on one life. as civilized erupts of Este the real Este the approaching represents domingo . Chepa of As her with ) of Violeta evidence d e a t h , Chepa - 69 - the in Coronacion relationship Andres, of is this with the h e r breakdown in. converges domingo is similar t h e s l u m s h e has ( Este cataclism i n her which c o i n c i d e s domingo and a basis desire. disintegrate. with In ritual- violently this Estela, with Andres sexual Sunday confronted his of that aspect the characters foretells like mental chaos in facade who, sense Chepa provokes this of o r d e r . What p r o v o k e s Maya with becomes Maya chaotic, of primitive occurs gradually which behind the appearance of instinctive, The m a i n t a i n e d by a f a c a d e sexuality appearance with is in a final is geometrical crisis k i l l e d by afer Maya, a cancerous growth reduced to mental incoherence (she grandchildren The world is cease of virtally lifeless), spending childhood Sundays games in and the the c h i l d r e n and grandparents imagination has the house. vanished forever. Este domingo simultaneously. luoar In sin fact, Este The Isis comparison More reassessed Este subtle is artistic merit" and "a Chavez Antonio destruction in Este approaches reading of these are that granted to out that several critics published luoar terms earlier critics as critics' habit content profoundly of sees the Cornejo domingo its of the of Este domingo of have These McMurray, away in have as Este intensity and Monegal, a more Coronacion focussed in the novel a profound .3 R a u l on t h e Bueno theme and of analyzed recent from the and that Rodrigues more . dismissed concludes domingo El 1. greater structuring shift accorded to technical innovations McMurray themes almost inferior novel George Este parameters.4 an as 2. E m i r Polar as as limites creation analysis, critical earlier social novels. exploration recreation of praise sin such development. typical Donoso's Donoso's mythical in e x p l o r a t i o n of within than than Coronacion and it El fictional Freudian subtle and l i m i t e s were p u b l i s h e d critical first critics, domingo sin and points was thematic domingo basically it Coronacion recent lugar greater Quinteros when to El success l i m i t e s was domingo more and of the of his obsessive swan song reducing his irritated relationship with his themes of 70 first - often a vanishing Donoso. - was novels In an in a i n t e r p r e t e d by social to past class. their interview with The social Libre ,Donoso commented at length on this point: Nada me i r r i t a t a n t o como l o s c r i t i c o s que r e d u c e n m i s novelas a sus e l e m e n t o s s o c i a l e s , e s o s que q u i e r e n que yo haya escrito el canto de cisne de las clases sociales chilenas. . . . l a s c l a s e s s o c i a l e s , t a l como las dibujo en m i s l i b r o s s o n i m a g i n a r i a s . Me e x p l i c o : nacf en una f a m i l i a de p o s i c i < 5 n s o c i a l a m b i g u a , c o n un pie en la oligarquia y otro en l a c l a s e m e d i a p e r o desterrada de ambas; y c r e c i en una e p o c a en que l a s clases sociales iban perdiendo importancia, los matices se c o n f u n d i a n y quedaban s o l o p i n t o r e s c o s r e s f d u o s . Por razones psicol<5gicas personales, neurosis juvenil o lo que s e q u i e r a l l a m a r l a e s e m i n i m o m a t i z de d e s t i e r r o a l que ya nadie daba importancia m^s que yo se fue hinchando en mi como un abceso, se hizo doloroso, cruel, obsesivo, y durante mucho t i e m p o e s t e d e s f a s e subjetivisimo - adem£s de o t r o s d e s f a s e s s u b j e t i v o s que se hicieran abceso y deformaron otras areas de mi personalidad me s i r v i d ' de l u p a p a r a m i r a r e l mundo, magnificando algo insignificante. Sin embargo esta insignificancia tomo en m i l a f o r m a de un s e n t i m i e n t o de marginacidn, vivido con tanta fuerza en cierta epoca, que determiner mi eleccidn entre m i l l o n e s de materiales posibles, el juego de c l a s e s s o c i a l e s , su derrumbe, su poder, su magia, su s u j e c i d n . A l e s c r i b i r estilice', sublime", exagere , condene', d e f e n d i , i d e a l i c e ' . 7 lo que h a y en m i s n o v e l a s no es un r e t r a t o de un mundo que tiende a desaparecer dentro d e l panorama chileno actual: en la r e a l i d a d e s e mundo d e s a p a r e c i c f hace decenios. Hay, en cambio, un retrato de mi relaciOn con e s e mundo a p e n a s a t i s b a d o , c a s i p u r a m e n t e imaginado, pero que por alguna razon produjo mi o b s e s i v a r e l a c i o ' n c o n e s e mundo.5 Donoso's importance of his in these comments largely of the novels on his writing. Henry Although the Donoso strong James also revealing both factor the terms creative of the genesis the n a r r a t i v e process he develops a critic accepts an author's without of in in of comments metaphor process very terms these the of in fiction confirm instance are autobiographical and novels. particular, narrative comments the reservations, and "lupa develops, ascendance confined rarely his - 71 - are para Donoso's i l l u m i n a t e d by mirar us of James Henry fiction them. e l mundo" provides to with in texts as In the another Donoso's a limited world which he glass. analyzed Although imaginary their human worlds they only analysis both to domingo . CoronaciOn the of under a magnifying Donoso's aspect multiple their of or James' reality, through facets personal Each of Chilean society past of as from Donoso the of vision the and in this of single social and In II a act the genesis is of and his transcends Este in Chapter II). catharsis and mark Este the creation of in personal attempts In Two rooted past his own d e m o n s . fictional in personal facets and deeply summarized of his , Chapter delineate Donoso's we o u t l i n e d D o n o s o ' s in conceptual Coronacion organization which Este framework to in the to free domingo level , of and interpretation an existentialist reality. characterization of an of his psychoanalytical essence that we b r i e f l y surpasses Chapter structural relevant self-definition burden autopsychoanalysis In is outlined Coronacion recollected for again imaginary (which Donoso search himself equally , like novel writer's is domingo and liberation element Este aspects background of one of create minutely confines reflect autobiographical relation of limited and reality. The the the exhaustive aspect, exhaustively is domingo operates character's philosophical the in of the eternal , this framework within the main theme of in system of of archetypal destruction, the fall. subtle personality. In between - his overall e x i s t e n t i a l i s t and a more conversations use 72 - f o r m as an Coronacion Andres and psychoanalytical integral the Carlos element lengthy in which Andre's of describes life flow. stand out rather also hinder Este domingo montage the , the meaninglessness obtrusively and disrupt development of Donoso occasionally explanatory dreams advance the narrative of skilfully and integrates the reality in its destructive nature characterization as on narrative fall El lugar and narrative into the appear as a which discourse. structure. e x i s t e n t i a l and the the In psychoanalytical the converge absurdity flashbacks to of and insights framework apprehension of of •psychoanalytical smooth existential comments the psychosexual obvious method sense somewhat Similarly, character's and his Donoso's appears in his psychoanalytical disintegration of the characters. In Este domingo as pajaro de la noche living in an absurd possible. to Este the by , In in elimination like again in and operates Recurrent significance important of the is a thematic slight ray to Mario. Coronacion l i m i t e s and experience where intensity out sin characters universe the reaching those loneliness , the fact, there domingo Estela's in no hope within existentialist of of choice aspects Donoso's existentialism and the in in futile of as of of the c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n of Chepa are t o t a l l y unable and in provided Este domingo existence, characterization conceptual such nature Coronacion Coronacion own system from isolation characters - themes is of alienation an r e a l communication escalation their obsceno of individual perceive El sensation of The the in the framework. nature and communication are Chepa and A l v a r o in particular. Alvaro and - 73 - to communicate with each other. There example, "Ella venganza Ella miedo no when thinks: . is possibility Alvaro sera elegante, se de quedara que There se is la grandson n a r r a t o r ultima si uno participar a and h i s his en s a b e r l o . quisiera arrebate." also communication contemplates la sin of en (p. total cancerous . . Que vengarse. su between no Pero muerte. No no es them. For growth, he lo es sepa. eso. venganza. Una . . Es 32-33) lack of communication between the parents: .jugaba cerca de ellos en l a s a l a , intentando atrapar la vista de mi p a d r e y m e d i a n t e una sonrisa arrancarlo de su universo para recordarle que yo existia. (p. 11); . . . y o me c u e l g o d e l c o g o t e d e l a Antonia, bescfndola, h a b l a n d o l e , riendome con e l l a p a r a que mi p a d r e c r e a q u e no l o o i g o y a s i no s e de" c u e n t a de que no t e n g o g a n a s de d e s p e d i r m e de e l , y p a r t e s i n insistir, sin darse cuenta de mi e n o j o . Nunca se da c u e n t a de n a d a . A similar grandchildren lack and the of communication exists between the grandfather: Todos los sabados, al llegar, pasabamos por esta estricta ceremonia: un estirado ritual, siempre idlntico, suplantaba la relacion que mi abuelo era incapaz de t e n e r c o n n o s o t r o s . . . . d e s p u e s y a c a s i no nos miraba y jamas nos d i r i g i a l a p a l a b r a , n i s i q u i e r a p a r a r e f t i r n o s . ( p . 18) Alvaro of death, is c h a r a c t e r i z e d as a classic an existentialist isolated individual, terrified character: Pasaba poco t i e m p o en c a s a y a l i i s i e m p r e e n c e r r a d o en su e s c r i t o r i o j u g a n d o i n t e r m i n a b l e s p a r t i d a s de a j e d r e z c o n u n a d v e r s a r i o f a n t a s m a l q u e e r a 4l m i s m o . ( p . 1 8 ) Pienso en e l e g o i s m o , en l a i n d i f e r e n c i a de s u v i d a . . pienso en su v a n i d a d , en e s e t e r r o r s u y o , mudo, ineficaz, a n t e l a s o r d e r a y l a v e j e z que a v a n z a b a n . (o. 21) Tiene 55 anos - l a decada d e l c a n c e r . C u a t r o d i a s p a r a hacer la b i o p s i a , e s a s c o s a s de b r u j o s que l o s m e d i c o s llaman cultivos . y despues de ese breve aplazamiento la caida a l f o n d o d e l t e r r o r y no d o r m i r - 74 - nunca ma's hasta dormirse definitivamente. (p. 31) Cuando p o r u l t i m o f u i l a A n t o n i a me c o n t d ' q u e l a m u n e c a lloraba y lloraba, y g r i t a b a que no q u e r i a m f t r i r s e y pedia auxilio porque tenia miedo. . . . siempre supo que su muerte se aproximaba paso a p a s o , y con su meticulosidad de s i e m p r e c o n t a b a e s o s p a s o s y g e m i a de t e r r o r a l c o n t a r l o s . ( p . 205) Chepa's to find final salvation existentialist of choice results live human and in death consumes his of a Sartrean her of and the fear classic choice is the central which For Donoso - the Chepa, she Alvaro Again of order a fall. . in is experiences framework destruction of Maya life absurdity the for philosophy. in her the life, of typical down Este domingo delineates and the domingo deftly in Coronacion personalities aged search possibility doubt in relationship conflicts y and to to same t e r r o r of uses the existence, the death, within destroys continues Donoso of this the isolated he organizes which inevitably overtakes and characters. in individual Dios others establish consistently is outcome of to Again middle an concepts process Este in in meaninglessness chart nature Andres individual meaning the loneliness existentialist choice - drags as the and pattern factor herself conscious the of , the using a integrated sabe que Alvaro despue's fue todo into never the comenzo cerrar development the development of experienced narrative: los ojos 75 - eso Donoso human p s y c h e . Chepa, en al . to unconscious a In frigid satisfaction, envidio en mi in framework to sexual "No y pensar , disintegration of a matar - of mechanisms psychosexual Coronacion psychoanalytical psychosexual has in course destructive v/oman who as mes . lo sexual. de casados . Dios, para que termine Coronacion and pronto , confronted with mechanisms. needs and The (p. the sexuality desires 153) Like e r o s i o n of that Andre's her emerges p r e c i p i t a t e s madness, in control from her destruction death. When becomes as is Chepa defense unconscious and y ne d e j e t r a n q u i l a . " Chepa associated Andres sexual first in her Coronacid'n attraction mole w i t h her in meets for Maya, the mind w i t h h i s associated h i m , Chepa own s u b c o n s c i o u s mole next to attraction for Estela's associates pink his her. palms Maya's mouth mouth Just with her and the desires: Este si. Este es Maya. E l lunar tenia las facciones disueltas en su r o s t r o d e s p o j a d o de t e n s i o n e s : s o l o e l enfasis de ese l u n a r t a n o s c u r o e r i z a d o de p e l o s en e l b o r d e d e l l a b i o s u p e r i o r , ( p . 115) Y e s a mancha en e l l a b i o que s e mueve p o c o c u a n d o h a b i a de esa manera tan plana . . . stflo cuando s o n r i e e l lunar baila y descubre sus d i e n t e s grandes, fuertes. Claro. Roto nortino. C a l c i o . T a n t a m i n a . L a s o n r i s a de Maya es s e n c i l l a m e n t e e n c a n t a d o r a . ( p . 127) Maya esta e n o j a d o . Come u v a . U n a p e p a s e l e h a q u e d a d o prendido en el labio. La Chepa e s t i r a l a mano p a r a . sacarsela. No es pepa. Es l u n a r . Los o j o s de Maya s e l l e n a n de l u z a l r e u s e , ( p . 135) 1 Se quedo parado en e l u m b r a l s o n r i e n d o como l a C h e p a jamas lo habia visto sonreir, el labio superior flexible, el lunar un a d o r n o i n s i n u a n t e , una c i a r i d a d nueva, como si h u b i e r a n d e s p e j a d o s u c a r a de una c a p a de p o l v o p a r d u s c o . ( p . 154) Estiro' l a mano p a r a t o m a r l a d e M a y a y s e l a tono e n t r e las dos suas que l e . a r d i a n . Me a r d e n o s o l o l a mano sino que la cara y todo el cuerpo y la.' sangre . cantahdome l a s v e n a s . Me l l e v a l a s m a n o s a l a b o c a y me l a s b e s a . ( p . 155) out Both Emir that Chepa possession. Rodrigues Chepa is Monegal attracted is more to than - and 76 Isis Maya Quinteros in twenty years - an have' pointed oedipal desire older t h a n Maya of and their situation substitute' child. Chepa assumes for Maya, Maya in his an who incestuous was abandoned own c o n f u s e d r e f l e c t s Chepa's passion nature. by perception and maternal Chepa his of is a mother own m o t h e r his as attraction a to instincts: Y cada vez que Maya l e p r e g u n t a b a c o n l a b o c a s e c a de ansiedad: I Y quO ma's? ella siente ese remezdn de placer, como s i M a y a f u e s e s u g u a g u a y e l l a l e d i e r a s u seno r e p l e t o de l e c h e y e l c h u p a r a p o r q u e su hambre e r a inagotable y c h u p a r a ma's y m a s , como a e s a m a d r e q u e l e dijo a una v e c i n a que l e c u i d a r a a l c h i q u i l l o un p a r de dfas mientras ella iba a h a c e r unos t r a m i t e s a. o t r o pueblo con el minero con quien estaba v i v i e n d o , y se subid' al a u t o b u s en una nube de p o l v o p o r e l d e s i e r t o . No volvio. Y una v e z , e s a v e z m a r a v i l l o s a y t e r r i b l e , Maya en medio del verano, con e l s o l machacando l a tierra seca del patio, Maya l e d i j o que c a d a v e z que ella se alejaba por e l p a t i o e r a como e s a v e z c o n l a nube de polvo, y temia que l o o l v i d a r a y n u n c a ma's v o l v i e r a . (pp. 136-137) Chepa again embodies The image of suckling and Maya She wants the expresses to the t a k e Maya the dominant infant and symbiotic over engulfing mother nature in of mother,figure. r e l a t i o n to their Chepa relationship. completely: . . n a d i e e s m i o mas q u e M a y a , q u e n o p o d i a s a l i r y yo l o p u s a en l i b e r t a d , que no c o n o c i a l o s a ' r b o l e s , que me preguntaba que ma's, q u e mas y y o l e c u e n t o y y o s o sus ojos y sus oidos y su p i e l y sus suenos y sus r e c u e r d o s y sus p r o y e c t o s . . . ( p . 155) The results Chepa in and Chepa. and Maya's and determined v/hich destroy drag situation punishment Once violence is incestuous the and oedipal again, Chepa's is an expiation. passion as sexuality, drama is the eruption the s u p e r f i c i a l order to - 77 is of their - expiates instincts myth of the needs the bourgeois fall. always i d e n t i f i e s her unconscious of that V i o l e t a who Maya biblical the dov;n It primitive by characters a r c h e t y p a l one In provoke. fall and with which desires conventions Chepa's case, in her search "Ella for sigue sus pies y tratando de perro quedan se Chepa su she se sacarlos 199) Maya, salta subir pegados hunden herself literally just en cima (p. 199) Again, provides the central basis a pile todo esta ma's hasta que another piece of garbage: como si no y the ella theme for basura of the Donoso's no puede fuera and of a garbage: revuelto podrida fall use of tan la de basura." o bajar, into en ma's is sinks y no y y puede cae." (p. "Un nino con m£s que of otra destruction psychoanalytical framework. The more subtle characterization with elements domingo in Este structure. Este technically complex Donoso abandons of his of view first and The specific down, and the the central system first day - Maya of and a also structure than Alvaro aware a of psychoanalytical real novelty, that that is of far its more Coronacion chronological points of Chepa's her of marriage sexual desire narration in axis moves time in a the one breaks for Maya from this counterpoint the three sections of the tv/o sections written mainly and using novel's - as sequence alternating temporal and backwards on A l v a r o of system flow. around and and and novel's V i o l e t a . The between the s k i l f u l l y handles day kills a the conventional becomes technique to sophisticated the focussing of has organized memories view due temporal forwards alternating Donoso's is of existential largely Chepa point person points the is day person third and a shifting Sunday its dominao novel novel integration alternating - in Chepa. event 78 grandson's in or a forwards superimposed and backwards temporal flow evoking corresponds to personality and complete In and The this perspectives fragmentation to of apprehend the human an integrated, sections games bury but, devoted foretell the the grandson's level frustrations intuitively and grandmother's on tragic to Alvaro eventual character a double the mainly Chepa's imaginary of between downfall Mariola of and in passions the as Roncafort. perception a metaphoric fate and - of their level, symbolic the they burial Roncafort. sections de Este two unaware their Mariola Charles the from d i f f e r e n t parallel Donoso p r e s e n t s are The in the way, foretell symbolic children's grandparents Noche of impossibility a symbolically children of the is narrative they vision events reality. There Chepa. his these titled: Domingo Tatum, domingo are the En l a Redoma; narrated by child point Los Chepa's of view Juegos Legftimos; grandson. serves According several Una to functions : 1) to make a statement about how a s t h e . i n d i v i d u a l matures, the innocent and f a b u l o u s v/orld of. c h i l d h o o d slowly changes and becomes corrupted 2) t o g i v e t h e reader a perspective on the a d u l t world seen through the child narrator's eyes 3) to reveal the Oedipal relationships p e r p e t r a t e d b y t h e a d u l t s on t h e c h i l d r e n and 4) to set a pattern which suggests a kind of c y c l i c a l "eterno retorno".6 Through in conveying tranquility his the the as innocence retrospect events use the caused the and of child's atmosphere child's of point of It is his frustration of of only childhood and - 79 v i e w Donoso apparent perspective naivete. events by the - c a l m and reality as an that repressed succeeds superficial is limited by adult viewing in sequence of the sexuality become clear. The Alvaro at comienza y su of the a existir At the end his Chepa the own and lonely ser of fate his viejo concludes: his the will own solteron of a tenia su edad adult of his following out: in "El descendencia." 7 is ahora of awareness comes a The fear memory a veiled - (p. aware this as abuelo tengo way a sterile narrador As Charles of his process of existence neverending mi absurdo." pattern. be the su childhood, to points que yo world. With refers suggests en same age narrator he Vidal cyclical y and seems the que ancianidad follow a similar vivid is momento la childhood sin thus "El adults life Hernan "Donoso characters of de domingo domingo t h e remains existence. un al Este of life Alvaro pattern Este beginning: junto facade the pathetic in en mi memoria nace shattered that narrator novel's recuerdo 23) the adult of to and parece Tatum fictional loss of innocence".8 When element begins thing the of to - now a d u l t the narrator experiential becomes world, discover that progress a conclusion that Alvin and aware the of the formerly disintegration Greenberg destructive naive are child the same calls: the paradoxical lesson of the world in contemporary fiction. . . It is in this sense of decay disintegration, deterioration, however i t is called that, rooted in a c o n t e m p o r a r y a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y human sense of time and analogous to the scientific formulation of the temporal p r o c e s s as w e l l , a major development of the modern novel, which may w e l l b e c a l l e d the novel of d i s i n t e g r a t i o n , is involved.9 Donoso's by the the preocupation passage physical of time ravages of the is best of age disintegrative illustrated contrasted youth: - SO - in to his the process wrought descriptions former beauty of of La V i o l e t a f u e e n v e j e c i e n d o . E s a c a r n e que f u e t a n d u r a y tan blanca mientras f u e a c t i v a , a l r e p o s a r se puso fofa y amor a t a d a y cualquier cosa le costaba un e s f u e r z o t r e m e n d o . ( p . 45) Las piernas l u z ^de la deseno sobre de l a V i o l e t a e s t a n l l e n a s de v a r i c e s . calle a l a t r a v e s a r l o s v i s i l l o s imprime s u r o s t r o : o t r a s v a r i c e s , ( p . 54) Tiene el trasero como p o s t e s l l e n a s La su verdaderamente enorme y l a s p i e r n a s de m o r e t o n e s y l l a g a s . . . ( p . 56) Alvaro espera antes de a v a n z a r , c o n t e m p l a n d o desde su cuarto la terrible destruccidn de sus nalgas maltratadas por la ^celulitis. Hay que esperar: el portaligas e l c o r p i n o , l a s m e d i a s . £ No s e d a c u e n t a d e q u e e s o b s c e n o ? ( p . 83) f Pero alcanzas a ver: t u s o j o s son demasiado c h i c o s y juntos, lo mas debil de t u r o s t r o , y no l o s q u i e r e s porque en los ojos e s d o n d e mas s e t e n o t a n l o s a n o s que no pasan en v a n o , mi v i e j o , que no p a s a n e l v a n o , el iris descolorido, e l p e r f i l de l o s p a r p a d o s apenas enrojecido, escasez de pestanas que nunca fueron abundantes . . . mira tus ojos que pueden e s t a r m u r i e n d o s e . ( p . 32) The graphic cancer which example of the will eventually disintegrative k i l l Alvaro is another process: Como si las m e t a s t a s i s y a s e m b r a d a s en t u h i g a d o y t u prostata, en tu c e r e b r o , en t u r o d i l l a , en t u v e j i g a , h u b i e r o n c h u p a d o t o d o e l v i g o r d e t u o r g a n i s m o . ( p . 32) Donoso characters and decay also and of accompanies their their the p h y s i c a l disintegrating d i s i n t e g r a t i o n of world with the the decrepitude houses: Y todo ese s i l e n c i o en l a p i e z a , donde l a V i o l e t a e s t a * poniendo recipientes jpara r e c i b i r las goteras a l lado de los muebles, i n c r e i b l e m e n t e d e s t e n i d o s que f u e r o n de l a s a l i t a de s u m a d r e . ( p . 54) Sigue deshabitada: el jardin finmalezado, las paredes descolor idas. La avidez de la buganvilla tumbo" el b a l c d n de m a d e r a de n u e s t r o m i r a d o r . ( p . 208) Cuando puertas antes. zocalos entregan la casa a los demoledores abrira'n l a s y las ventanas. L a l u z v o l v e r a ' a e n t r a r como Encontraran la casa despojada de puertas y y jambas y g u a r d a p o l v o s y p a r q u e t s , un c a s c a r o n - 81 - que caera a l o s p r i m e r o s g o l p e s de l a p i c o t a hecho montd'n d e e s c o m b r o s en e l j a r d i n e n m a l e z a d o . ( p . 210) Alvin Greenberg descriptive well device as pajaro West. de that may over to chaos la of entropy he applies to Celine Donoso's noche William novels the tendency of an disorder, to from which it may emerged, state that de of development moving process at best El to a that drift total. obsceno system universe into towards is Este an to go original toward an domingo is increasingly culminates the gradual The he narrator evokes retraces his an the corruption inclusion in the disintegrative past, of the human innocence. child's Thus child's time towards world gone death path of is Donoso, point his inevitable of leads back final ambiguous awareness recuperating to Heller, entropy, ordered is e q u i l i b r i u m which represents a Joseph as in El obsceno elimination note and of tenuous, hope is of in absent . adult as of regeneration. was domingo development equilibrium that entropic of v/hich the sink of critically . this possibility As have process noche of. from Este of state la Coronacion v/hich concept a in particular Coronacion of Part through from i l l u s t r a t e the as as Burroughs, state unstructured any concept a of pa'iaro the Beckett, be d e f i n e d unstructured part which Samuel Nathaniel uses un of by, and the towards loss the only using going decay. way The to provides In this his and recover of the way, the an eventual evocation a This innocence, world a vision against we f o l l o w adulthood. of adult process. view, of childhood, of the a kind past seen possibility current Donoso's of of of time use of a specific liberates full of sense technique the thematic sensual of domestic manipulating material. experiences. recollection. details memories, evocation - we in of find Este in similar domingo Este Proust life a In The a child's past domingo fully a is a of of refuge, there is exploited household. sense point a viev; rich - and Proustian the minute, In the grandson's tender and nostalgic : La Antonia me alcanzo mientras yo, inclinado bajo e l ilang-ilang, estiraba mis medias y f i j a b a l a s h e b i l l a s de mis pantalones preparandome para una entrada triunfal. A l p r e g u n t a r l e c o m o me v e i a me p a r e ' muy t i e s o para que me examinara. La l u z que quedaba e r a honda como la de un e s t a n q u e : s i y o me m o v i a , s i c u a l q u i e r cosa se m o v i a , l o s o b j e t o s que r e p o s a b a n d e n t r o de e s a luz fluctuarian silenciosamente y s o l o d e s p u e s de un instante recobrarian la perfeccion de sus formas q u i e t a s . ( p . 16) La casa estaba llena de armarios y de alacenas y subterraneos, de p u e r t a s f a l s a s o c u l t a s por c o r t i n a s o condenadas con una tranca de p a l o que e r a f a c i l i s i m o desclavar de maletas c u b i e r t a s con e t i q u e t a s fabulosas y batiles nominalmente p r o h i b i d o s que a b r i a m o s con una horquilla retorcida para disfrazarnos con sus contenidos, de posibilidades de que o t r a s sombras se desprendieran de l a s s o m b r a s , y p a s o s de l a o s c u r i d a d , y aranas de los t e c h o s y de p r o n t o e l d e l e i t e de una ventana abierta de p a r en p a r s o b r e e l j a r d i n donde l a l u z a m a r i l l e a b a e n t r e l a s h o j a s . ( p . 25) Y en l a noche d e l sabado - l a v e n t a n a a b i e r t a a l j a r d i n en el verano, las escamas p u r p u r a s de l a b u g a n v i l l a formando un d r a g o n f a s c i n a d o que s e asomaba a l b a l c d h esperctbamos los t r e s p r i m o s , L u i s , A l b e r t o y yo que mi abuelo y mi a b u e l a s e q u e d a r a n d o r m i d o s y e n t o n c e s , en silencio, las dos primas, Marta y Magdalena, subian hasta el cuarto del mirador y comenzaban nuestros j u e g o s . ( p . 26) Proust's association also echoed which the sensual of in the the "empanadas" imagination sensual in s t i m u l a t i o n of passages provide and describing t h e mnemonic - 83 - the particular smell "olor stimulus: his w i t h memory is a domingo" in En un i n s t a n t e e l a u t o e n t e r o s e l l e n a d e l f e s t i v o o l o r de las empanadas calientes . . . de l o s d o m i n g o s de toda la vida . . . este olor dorado, t i b i o . . . este olor a domingo que llena e l a u t o , a domingo, a este domingo . . . este domingo, e s t e o l o r a domingo, a domingo en la m a n a n a p e r o n o muy t e r a p r a n o , c u a n d o l a s sirvientes est^n atareadas en la c a s a p e r o en o t r a s partes de l a c a s a , una l i m p i a n d o e l s a l o n c o n un t r a p o amarrado en l a c a b e z a , o t r a a t e n d i e n d o a mi m a d r e , o t r a vistiendo a mi hermano menor, o t r a regando l a s p l a n t a s de la g a l e r f a , otra canturreando l a cocina a l destapar el h o r n o p a r a v e r como e s t c i n l a s e m p a n a d a s , y e n t o n c e s , en ese momento, e s t e o l o r a domingo en l a manana p e r o no muy temprano se pone a c i r c u l a r l e n t a m e n t e por l a casa desde e l f o n d o d e l p a t i o de l a c o c i n a , g a l e r i a s y corredores, escurriendose por los i n t e r s t i c i o s debajo de las puertas para entrar a las habitaciones cerradas donde aun no terminamos de d e s p e r t a r - se c u e l a por debajo de mi p u e r t a h a s t a mi d o r m i t o r i o p a l d e a d o p o r l a manana de verano, cerradas las persianas, corridas las cortinas l a sabana c a s i tapandome l a c a b e z a y e l o l o r a masa apenas dorcfndose vence a los dem^s olores calientes de mi c u a r t o y l l e g a a mi n a r i z e desde a h i manda c o m u n i c a c i o n e s h a s t a e l fondo de mi sueno t i b i o . . . (pp. 56-107) Este aspects. past domingo is ' the reader As in Este alternating forwards points his of of the fall preestablished, that is not view, in to the only forms Donoso, like of counts are several in one temporal axis Faulkner, links With act the techniques i n t e r i o r monologue, The the in immersion the n a r r a t i v e obsessions. inevitable. Faulkner characters of time around their is what reminiscent follows it Faulkner. characters Faulkner, of , and backwards reminiscent of domingo also moving which the Donoso, of are destiny as with of the downfall is antecedents and the process in Chepa's fall. There desperate is and also a very disastrous strong search always presents his characters their infernal and tortuous for as flavour Maya. Kafka, totally descent - 84 - of alone, into Kafka unlike Faulkner, w i t h no G o d , hell through in the labyrinth of their These often it a Donoso more a Vargas break and the his The which alternate from narrator who Alvaro. largely of Este domingo titled interior point on Although the action of is view the world "primera of of and the and Cortazar, Borges, of writers modern omniscient narrator techniques adults, and as uses subtle broader nature able of "segunda to human as are omniscient mainly on Chepa "segunda p a r t e " in to parte" sections apparently character's are viewed several and an parte" Donoso situate in narrative of has reality. parte" techniques varied the using Donoso, the This the' fragmented of rather c r i t i c s who efforts grandson's into - recognizable of nature narrations, penetration reality, is the "primera the focusses , the of ambiguous with the earlier (Fuentes, following vision the t h i r d person form of of domingo literary context. authors unity personal and than unilateral vision of sections written and the in w h i c h Donoso h i m s e l f Este literary affiliation Donoso, with personality Chilean Latinamerican concept express no way d i m i n i s h narrow Llosa). some o f l i t e r a r y context cosmopolitan major influences, in larger in other to literary mentioned, in obsessions. Coronacion interior ,uses reality. achieve he are the In sense manipulates a of points view. In the narrative thinking perspective and conciencia."10 third "primera person parte", is which often determined feeling, what Noe Donoso uses indirect narration, direct focusses Jitrik calls interior interior - 85 - by on Alvaro, what "el Alvaro is realismo de monologues monologues the in in a first person narration, narration examples and of direct interior which interior monologues monologues in in second first person person narration, follow: Se mira en el v i d r i o d e l mayor de sus a n a q u e l e s . No. Asi no. Doblado s o b r e su b r a z o e l c u e l l o de su a b r i g o no debe caer junto al ruedo, es necesaria una diferencia, el cuello a la altura del Stendhal empastado en tela verde flordelisada, el r u e d o mas abajo, s o b r e e l C a r l y l e en una p a s t a b a s t a n t e o r d i n a r i a que t a n t o s d e s e o s t i e n e de c a m b i a r . ( p . 31) Estoy pensando en a l g u i e n , a l g u i e n que c o n o z c o p o c o y me desagrada, p e r o que ha e s t a d o a q u i en mi c a s a y que tiene un lunar como la s a l t a d u r a de l a t e t e r a en l a arista del labio. A l g u i e n . . . q u i e n s e r a : e n f i n , no importa. Lo que i m p o r t a es que a v e c e s l o s nombres s e me quedan a t a s c a d o s en l o s r e p l i e g u e s d e l c e r e b r o . ( p . 29) Y si n o , mi v i e j o , t e c o n f o r m a s con l a p a s t a c o r r i e n t e que tienes y te pasas la tarde encerrado en tu escritorio leyendo On H e r o e s and H e r o W o r s h i p , que a l fin y al cabo no es m a l a p r e p a r a c i d n p a r a l a m u e r t e . (p.-32) These are reader in favorite the These William Jamesian character's interior Faulkner, instantaneous mental are not insight into such as reflect the characters interior monologues state thoughts of analyzes are and a Donoso great human egocentricity. For an those attempt the to mental psychic which place of Henry r e c r e a t e an chaos of style and flow. the In Donoso's their avoids of doubts, Joyce's their prolific plausibility. relationships example, reconstructing from we u n d e r s t a n d - 86 - the the exact the and spelling characters' the original characters' their verisimilitude his or characters anguish, Donoso, inside James even a l i t e r a r y r e e l a b o r a t i o n of feelings. deal like a t t e m p t e d , where conscience, egocentrism, achieves Joyce devices world. monologues, thoughts chaotic narrative like but James, characters' resentment and hostility charity Alvaro projects feels towards during the C h e p a who week is always and w i t h her busy w i t h her grandchildren on weekends: La Chepa s a l e tercprano y l l e g a t a r d e t o d o s l o s d i a s de la semana. Lo d e j a s o l o en l a c a s a s i n nada que h a c e r ahora que ha j u b i l a d o , s i n p r e g u n t a r l e s i q u i e r a c u a l es su programa para el dia, si quiere que hagan a l g o juntos como los demas matrimonios de su edad y posicion, ir al c i n e , o a l g u n a v i s i t a de f a m i l i a o de pesame. E l l a se v a . Q u i e n sabe donde. A h , s i . Donde sus pulguientos. Y en l a n o c h e r e g r e s a d e s p e n a d a . Con l o s zapatos embarrados, con olor a p a r a f i n a o a f u e g o de l e r f a en l a r o p a . ( p . 36) Although Chepa's these activities absolute lack of Chepa's activities Later on, see nature of her socially interest view, we are from are in Alvaro merely Chepa's charitable laudable, a point and from h i s form of of they cover point of r e j e c t i n g him. view the compensatory activities: iPero que voy a h a c e r ? Con l a m i s e r i a puedo v e r m e l a s . Y con' l a mugre. Eso e s t a a mi a l c a n c e p o r q u e yo soy una pobre mujer i g n o r a n t e : l a i n s t i t u t r i z n o me ensenO ma's que a l e e r y a e s c r i b i r y a s a c a r c u e n t a s . En e l p i a n o nunca pase del Czerny mas s i m p l e y e l f r a n c o s s e me olvido todo. Pero a e l l o s l o s p o b r e s l e s doy a l g o que se, cuando les e n s e n o que no d e b e n s e g u i r v i v i e n d o en la mugre, cuando l e s empapelo l a p i e z a con p a p e l e s de diario porque s i no l o hago yo misma e l l o s no l o h a c e n y el viento d e l i n v i e r n o t r a e l a s p u l m o n i a s , s i yo se a y u d a r l o s , d e j e n m e a y u d a r l o s . . . ( p . 119) The alternating underlines Another the ambivalence factor ambivalence and Polar the each calls of in Este c h a r a c t e r can third person. In which implies a the is narrative reality that the that points is being increases use of into another, domingo questioning there of - 87 human - at is of sense what A n t o n i o least a system to in of i d e n t i t y and view narrated. the substituci6'n"ll. According change Este of domingo ambiguity " l e y de different this of Cornejo "lav;", t h e mind of a substitution actions. This system sin is limites obsceno This pajaro which de is the making bourgeois which Donoso v / i l l and system between when one la reaches noche most characters love girls of to V i o l e t a he its which clearly continue to develop ultimate t o t a l l y negates displayed Este in domingo imagines in her the . For place in El conclusion human lugar in El identity. sexual relations example, Alvaro, the pure virgin knows: e n t o n c e s , de n o c h e , t a r d e , l l e n o de d e s e o p o r la Alicia o la Pola, a q u i e n e s ha dado s a c r a t i s i m o s besos, entra a la p i e z a de l a V i o l e t a que s i e m p r e l o ac'epta y rueda con ella por la cama, t r a t a n d o de conjurar de ese cuerpo c a l i e n t e y r o l l i z o y l l e n o de deseo, la finura de l o s b r a z o s de l a P o l a , e l c u e l l o largo y la cabeza pequena de la A l i c i a , l o s senos jovenes apenas insinuados de l a S o f i a , e r e s l a S o f i a , si, e r e s l a S o f i a y manana sera" l a A l i c i a y o t r o d i a l a Pola, t o d a s , p o s e o a t o d a s e s a s muchachas i m p o s i b l e s en t u c a r n e r o l l i z a y c a l i e n t e . ( p . 74) Violeta participates sexually satisfy in this, charade of identities in order to Alvaro: . cuando r e g r e s a b a d e s p u e s de p a s e a r con l a P o l a y se metia en su cuarto para revolcarse con e l l a dicie'ndole Pola, mi linda, aprie'tame Pola que te quiero, apretame y l a c a r n e g o r d a de l a V i o l e t a se transformaba en la carne glacial de l a P o l a , en l o s pechos apenas^insinuados y dolorosamente deseados, pero que solo p o d i a t b c a r y g o z a r en l o s p e c h o s i n m e n s o s de la V i o l e t a , que l e d e c i a , s i , s i , s o y l a P o l a , su P o l a , mijito . . . Ella era todas. La P o l a , l a Laura, l a Alicia, sus primas . . . todas. Tambien era l a Chepa. ( p . 78) On his imagining wedding that she night, is Alvaro can only make love to Chepa by Violeta. No es la Chepa la que se estremece en s u s brazos esperando, es la V i o l e t a . A c a r i c i a una a x i l a , s i , s i , es la axila de la Violeta y se es l a a x i l a de l a Violeta es l a V i o l e t a e n t e r a , V i o l e t a , m i j i t a , V i o l e t a , conte asi", tocame por acit, ahora actui mijita. Y cerrando los ojos . . . s i , s i puedo, s i puedo, y duro ahora y s e g u r o h i z o e l amor c o n l a V i o l e t a en l a c a r n e i g n o r a n t e d e l a C h e p a . ( p . 88) - 88 - Violeta makes love hornetown boyfriend: to Alvaro, pretending that he is Marin, her . . me v o l v i a l o c a e s e v e r a n o p e n s a n d o e n e"l t o d o e l tiempo sola en la cama a q u i e n l a c i u d a d , me v o l v i a loca, h a s t a que l o e n c o n t r e ' a u s t e d p u e s , don A l v a r i t o , y cuando u s t e d me t o c a y me h a c e d e t o d o p i e n s o e n e\L. U s t e d es e " l , e l h u a s o M a r i n , ( p . 76) Maya imagines porque y siempre me besa como that la Marujita e s t / acordahdose en la cama, cerra si yo fuera usted.") Violeta, he feels that with Violeta: controlarlo, comenzo' v each always . . ambiguous sexual . ." person perception El . of identity las y que Each a and - which the world una se is esta and when M a y a whom h e como me - emphasis the identity anticipates is based of the on y entonces to the este another reality another on kills tragarlo, dejd" concrete covering nombre, identifies comerlo, a dejar solos borracho d i j o su transferable another mask estamos vez iba mire act constant sexual cuando queriamos e l no and limites roles dos into only y y 187-188) Chepa, 172) r e a l i t y . This sin and que Misia (p. ojos ("Nunca k i l l i n g Chepa, dissolves relationships luoar . pegarme, sinverguenza and " los is Chepa de u s t e d , (pp. he deshacerlo, a is is possible ambiguity of the of reversal world of " t r a v e s t i " , whether sexual real or symbolic. So are which far integrated is what destruction, out we relevant the have into o u t l i n e d key the organizes essence elements novel's and of overall best which biographical, is the 89 - Este domingo archetypal reveals existential - in the fall. and which structure main We h a v e theme of pointed psychoanalytical elements in the integration perception We which of of system narrative mentioned brings us to component elements archetypal analysis focus In of to literary the the of the Este a Este represents house was the the child's point paradise towards less of this y of and and the through future innocence. The In of Eden. The a grammar provides creation are' a to organized la reduction the past past The For filtering appears as evoked in is grandson the orden." (p. el the past the longing through for a metaphysical this sense, the child the state of innocence of civilization. suggests Este - The a cyclical domingo of grandparents' the confianza, recapture domingo 90 from and b e a u t y . to restore - the with both myth, this expresses in of basis. archetypal Donoso child domingo a l l the main patterns of attempt Este as device the process in provide . Again, solidez, permanence. to structural a similar Garden view, Este imagery. security lost in us p r e v a i l e d and narrative archetype the the author's provideo extending Coronacidn " l a permanencia collectively the structure. mythical find serenity, Through an express as complete Bible, demonic we where 13) as well synthesizing the B i b l e structure order happiness as the pact overall The paradise house an in in its whole dQmJlngp and that*expressed of of a domingo's domingo terms lost of Este by a p o c a l y p t i c and lost necessity archetypes. apocalypse. as of symbols archetypal In which importance into synthesizing time techniques the novel Donoso, largely characterization reality. have central of begins the space functions lost projection process his of memories at about madre the me como yo a was in sure nunca, of ir this, grandfather he of explico iba writes age en que al ano the child's and in would como he b e g i n s gente proximo is nada, before la he he loneliness six, his ignorante . . never isolation, (p. fifties, memory. e'l." ." (p. he go to que ho 99). the like 22) The cut al When t h e same Alvaro: narrator off school: iba narrator as was "Yo no a his child, iba projects from his "Mi colegio age When t h e n a r r a t o r be is to hacer an aura family: dSon ellos o s o y yo q u i e n s e ha quedado a i s l a d o de los medallones fabulosos de la alfombra g a l l e t a d e l mirador? ( p . 204) en uno color Ahora, mi a b u e l o y mi a b u e l a e s t a n muertos y mis p a d r e s y mis tios son c a s i a n c i a n o s . Y m i s p r i m o s . . j, que" ser^ de e l l o s ? I D6nde e s t a r a h , q u e e s t a r a n h a c i e n d o ? . . d e p r o n t o me d o y c u e n t a d e q u e n i s i q u i e r a s e s i l a Marta t i e n e h i j o s , y s e l o s t i e n e , n o s e cOmo s e l l a m a n y ni que a p e l l i d o l l e v a n , n i s i se van a a l m o r z a r los d o m i n g o s a una c a s a que yo no c o n o z c o . ( p p . 2 0 6 - 2 0 7 ) This similarity suggests of a the Elisa death. porcelain doll to with in he will is is loneliness retorno". narrator appearance extremidades Elisa the "eterno Coronacion His belongs Alvaro's cyclical cycle in with no longer and another species, "talvez Coronacion y sus , the gestos Donoso often represents reach - children el de los angulosos". associates which the end death. Like incarnation r e a l l y human, muneca), : a pattern archetypal (la flacas Alvaro eventually another sets he think is the white perhaps insectos (p. a 22) con As colour of he sus with white Alvaro: b a j o , s u s p a n t a l o n e s p l a n c h a d o s como c u c h i l l o s colgaban unos c o r d o n e s b l a n c o s , completamente r i d i c u l o s con ios que ataba a sus canillas los calzoncillas largos que nunca n i e n e l v e r a n o ma's t o r r i d o , d e j a b a n de p r o t e g e r l a f r a g i l i d d a d de s u c u e r p o . ( p . 2 0 - 2 1 ) - 91 - los como livianas montones de c a m i s a s de mi a b u e l o e s p u m a . . . ( p . 25) blancas . . jamas l o h a b i a n o t a d o h a s t a que empezo a o s c u r e c e r sobre su p e l b l a n q u f s i m a . . . (p. Alvaro even gelatinas depicts eats white blanquizcas Alvaro food: "Como en f o r m a de several times as postre estrella a . solo . ." reflection in a crecer, 30) comia (p. y 18) unas Donoso the mirror, for example: Llegamos a darnos c u e n t a de que e s c u d r i n a b a s u p r o p i o reflejo en los cristales de sus a r m a r i o s de l i b r o s , arreglandose inecesariamente el nudo de la corbata, pascfndose la mano sobre el- cuidadoso peinado que parecia p i n t a d o s o b r e su c a b e z a , v i g i l a n d o y t i r o n e a n d o su chaleco de modo q u e n o h i c i e r a n i u n a s o l a a r r u g a , como si en e s o s c r i s t a l e s f u e r a a e n c o n t r a r una imagen perfecta de si mismo destacada sobre el crepusculo r i q u i s i m o d e l o s e m p a s t e s . ( p . 20) This the is archetypal like Elisa, mannequin. Manuela in this his his Latent lugar Tha of is El also sin on the limites . 12 his is is not , but lack as sexual duality of The feels duality is 92 an of - in in is a Emir prototype of muneca" sexually passive c a s t r a t e d by Chepa's is vain, front Este obsessed with he love of is the domingo nonetheless important the corpse, "la Narcissus, hours obvious unity - Like to Alvaro, character. nickname a true narcisist, spends a living a masked i d e n t i t y . He appearance. He is inherent writing. ambivalent that Alvaro sexual He image. limites character, sexually sin quality in Donoso's w i t h V i o l e t a and masculine-feminine emphasis a ambiguous bisexuality the p l a s t i c ghostly suggests and own a lugar of significance truly nature. clothes with example relationship domineering his level Monegal suggests in good * is He Rodriguez la a aspect in mirror. as in El suggested. of Donoso's human p e r s o n a l i t y , its fragmentation and, dissolution dualities and in the cas.e obliteration. within exploited, as the human destroyer female. As Joseph ultimate mythogenetic and Chepa, Donoso mind - creator, Campbell of has its apocalyptic constantly emphasizes good and madness stated, evil, and the exploiter reason, and male human m i n d and is the zone: For the human mind in its p o l a r i t y o f t h e male and female's modes of experience, in its passages from infancy to a d u l t h o o d and o l d age, i n i t s t o u g h n e s s and tenderness, and in its continuing dialogue with the world, is t h e u l t i m a t e m y t h o g e n e t i c zone - t h e c r e a t o r and d e s t r o y e r , t h e s l a v e and y e t t h e m a s t e r , of a l l t h e gods.13 Chepa, in an contrast view is archetypal life, the b o u n t i f u l to Alvaro, from the incarnation of children's life. She is the point of tree of cornucopia: Nos trepctaamos a ella como a un a r b o l c u a n d o e r a m o s pequeffos, exigiendole cuentos y dulces y caricias y preferencias y regalos, como a una cornucopia inagotable. Mas tarde, ya crecidos, no podiamos treparnos a su cuerpo p e r o e s t a r en s u c a s a e r a como seguir pegados a ella fisicamente, y la c a s a como extencio'n del cuerpo de mi abuela, configuraba la cornucopia: era como inventada por mi abuela para n u e s t r o d e l e i t e . ( p . 26) Chepa, as the This emerges with fire. become ser a more domingo life, clearly miraculous and in her animita: milagrosa (p. is part of 99) is The endowed lo i d e n t i f i c a t i o n with Chepa's era prolongaciOn cuerpo en el centralizes mother 93 - was estaba image also and to destinada llenos action significance but house destined colegio, the earth structure, with the Chepa mi a b u e l a de mi a b u e l a " ) - apocalyptic that with a special its del "Que contamos house the association grandchildren believe The animita orgullo." t r e e of not ("esa in de Este only casa because a it in que is a refuge, a sanctuary children ("un continuation gusta que asilo of the estos del derramandose todavJfa." the as he imagines vital forces se en su memoria". words Este domingo beauty, death and of in reaching she is Northrop Frye has symbolism apocalyptic world. in fire the in Bible, w o r l d midway who identified the is animita of The are part McMurray empanadas another of has regeneration "una are the on h e r out the of incarnates: esa casa la the the t r e e of sense the the window fire heaven with is Elisa's with the Pentecost, the lyric heaven. surrounding and final of through at future gigantesca stars to life the in "fire human assumes we f i n d to era cornucopia animita same a "Me que house association fire 210), that passage street the n a r r a t o r ' s way the descending a the seraphim the coal of spiritual or divine." also of in 14 Chepa, a burning tree, occultism. the apocalyptic also suggested proves sees and the apocalyptic as convey associate garden, symbolizes for (p. aun: sense, they imagery v/ith t h e paradisal this These the between popular se viviera paradise dead and mouth Chepa como 210) she flames angelic In pointed The the Isaiah's (p. when apocalyptic life ahi, house and already later a m y t h i c a l p r o j e c t i o n tov/ards tov/ards Coronacion thinks 210) burning encendida in of refugian (p. and vagabundos") de mi a b u e l a mind, the grandchildren ninos cuerpo narrator's the de ninos prolongacid'n in for the of structure that the regenerative image.15 to tree be In illusory - 94 - life, in the imagery Este domingo Sunday ritual power of Este domingo as Violeta's the , the of . fire George of the Eucharist, concept d e a t h marks of the end of the paradisal hubo Sunday world fin." n i mas a l m u e r z o s and "Como also the end o f t h e murio' l a V i o l e t a , y a no dominicales. Fue e l p r i n c i p i o ( p . 206) The counterpart presentation of confusion, the conclusion - The ritual o f t h e grandmother: ma's e m p a n a d a s del empanada demonic the this world of labyrinth the into apocalyptic nightmare imagery, of the slum, the Chepa imagery feels is terror, falls at. t h e n o v e l ' s the Eucharist of that the pain and r e p l e t e w i t h demonic o f t h e empanadas, is symbolism and w h i c h Chepa existential hell counterpart apocalyptic labyrinth to imagery. symbol cannibalism. she i s i n danger In of of the being devoured: Esa sensacion que a veces t i e n e con l o s pbbres de su poblacio'n: son voraces, quieren devorarla, sacarle pedazos de carne para a l i m e n t a r s e de e l l o s . . . ( p . 192) Senor, como llamar para q u e me s a l v e n de estos chiquillos que q u i e r e n d e s c u a r t i z a r m e y devorarme. (p.. 195) These the grotesque entropic personal process identity, world into false facade, falls into controls has stated a chaos. an is and destructive, scenes and depict the disintegrative Chaos has always illusion the are visual result conventions instinctual of imaginary obliteration process been order. bourgeois elements of which there, of of Chepa's throws h e r hidden The grotesque of the erosion of projections behind chaos and undermining civilization h e r own s e x u a l i t y . a Chepa of the by the Donoso that: Uno de l o s destrucci6"n, reduccic'n a grandes terrores mios es e l t e r r o r de l a de l a a b y e c c i d n de l a no e x i s t e n c i a , de l a nada, d e l s e r que se e l i m i n a , de l a - 95 - explotacion del s e r humano p o r e l s e r humano, en t o d o s los p i a n o s d e l a d e s t r u c c i d h . E l t e m a n o me i n t e r e s a e n el s e n t i d o s o c i a l ; me i n t e r e s a e l s e r h u m a n o e x p l o t a d o , destructor y destruido.16 Chepa represents nurturing a mother castrating, channeled passion it. marriage and of her and most the erotic slum is a of vitality negative frustrated becomes consumes common the one form of relations and incest Chepa's disintegration passion also whose projection, incestuous The and positive as a destruction as sexual energy is relationship. expiation. the of relation the moral punishment and as and female erotic destroys is a figure incestuous demonic Incest slum an that assume earth duality engulfing into The a of for her a fierce that the seeks a agony in personality f u l f i l l parody demonic crime the to demonic biblical is destructive of imagery followed labyrinth is the by of the expiation Maya. labyrinth: . . un l a b e r i n t o de a d o b e s y p i e d r a s y e s c o m b r o s , de latas y tablas y calaminas hacinados de cualquier manera, s i n orden . . . (p. 183) Pero aqui no hay p e r i f e r i a : a l e s t a b l e c e e l caos y se i n i c i a e l p"i£ m i s m o d e l a c o s t a l a b e r i n t o ( p . 184) se Va cruzando l a , c a n c h a de f u t b o l c e r c a d a p o r e l m o n s t r o de la poblacion que se extiende y crece, por ese laberinto de covachas que d i b u j a su l i n e a a'spera b a j o la tapa del cielo: tiene que e n t r a r en e l l a b e r i n t o para p o d e r s a l i r . No s a b e p o r d o n d e n i h a c i a d o n d e . (p. 189) In contrast demonic labyrinth a negro . to algo . ." Chepa's a (p. the is light in and fire darkness: cualquier cosa ". . contar of celestial . s i de solo salir imagery, pudiera de este the llegar . laberinto 196). anguished wandering - 96 in - the slum is the demonic image of lost the direction, apocalyptic Isaiah. Chepa's the way, the final biblical identification Donoso's integration by imagination infuses i s the straight collapse of in filth road the with demonic c o u n t e r p a r t creates the element a visual f o l l o w i n g quotes impact God to prophesied garbage evil; of the monstruous nature h i s w r i t i n g with G o y a as t h e labyrinth of hell of heap of by follows is a foul p i t . reality deformed "esperpOntico" reminiscent which of B u n u e l or illustrate: Huye. Siguen abriOndose alveolos irregulares, multiplicandose los muros hechos con d e s p e r d i c i o s de construccion, de l a t a , madera y a d o b e , una p a r e d con un umbral s i n puerta y nada detra"s, v e n t a n a s m i n u s c u l a s sin vidrios, una a m p o l l e t a que c a s i no i l u m i n a r o d e a d a de seis c a r a s que comen, humo de f r i t a n g a , e l b a l b u c e o demente de una radio, un boliche que vende p a p a s y v o l a n t i n e s d e l ano p a s a d o y c o c a c o l a . (p. 1 8 9 ) Pero no hay nadie. T o d a s l a s p u e r t a s s e han c e r r a d o . Todas las ampolletas extinguido, y l a C h e p a camina a ciegas entre f o r m a s i r r e g u l a r e s como r o c a s , que a p e n a s l e d e j a n e s p a c i o p a r a p a s a r . (p. 1 9 0 ) Unas narices chorreando, un cogote flaco, y luego, cuando la comienzan a empujar, a t o c a r , l o s a l i e n t o s fetidos, las manos pegajosas de mugre . . . S e q u i t a las m a r t a s y l a s t i r a p o r e l a i r e a l medio d e l g r u p o de chiquillos: r u g e n a l s a l t a r p a r a t r a p a r l a s p i e l e s y se lanzan al suelo gritando, mordiel-idose, esa masa de c u e r p o s v i o l e n t o s que l a o l v i d a n . (p. 1 9 5 ) El suelo esta blando, y alia', al otro lado, las siluetas de l o s g a s o g e n o s con l u c e s que se p r e n d e n y se apagan: rojas, amarillas, y el c i e l o c h a t o como una tapa de nubes . E l g r u p o se d i l u y e , d i s t r a i " d o s , jugando en e l b a s u r a l a l a l u z de l a l u n a que l a s nubes de pronto descubren en su vuelo y luego vuelven a cubrir: encuentran zapatos y se los prueban, otro desentierra una escupidera y o r i n a en e l l a e n t r e l a s risas de los dema's, y g r i t a n a s u s p e r r o s . . . sus pies se quedan q u e d a d o s en l a b a s u r a p o d r i d a y no puede sacarlos y se hunden mas y ma's h a s t a que no p u e d e , no puede y c a e . (p. 1 9 7 ) In t h e g r e a t e s t moments o f D o n o s o ' s w r i t i n g , climactic finales which characterize - 97 - his f i r s t i n the grotesque four novels, we have a sense moved our into a center literary centre, total, provides endless of of in self essence and of is center the words about. thematic This design create the a mythical destruction and is and the total apocalypse fall. there the generic which otherwise associations as what of illuminates novels seen analysis and of and have Unless archetypal vortex analogies and we would never events and inevitable Donoso's been and c r e a t i o n and the of archetypes the Donoso's of feeling that with the p r i n c i p l e of suggestive terms of While us it understanding treated use the order has characters necessary series to of time, the Donoso's experience provides nature perception of structure. novels recurrent significance, Donoso's complete Donoso's inner converging the whole such us of and forms. leads Life is awakening of the eternal fall is the of destruction and functions the disintegration. In cause Este' for the destruction. clear cut from paradise of El e a r t h l y chaos Este domingo do n o t assume Elisa', Estela and Dora eventual such in some of the p o s i t i v e well some of the maternal .repressive as Alvaro This which as and as embodies while death. ambiguity world as Elisa, of in , woman into incarnations Chepa Estela of i n Coronacio'n characters Thus of incarnation the The . elements sexual fall , as archetypal Coronacion elements domingo is lugar duality suggested sin Perhaps as Northrop Frye writers in g e n e r a l , Donoso ressembles of in l i m i t e s and has is - El suggested resistant 98 - Elisa i d e n t i t y as Este to domingo Paiaro in in well as his the , anticipate de regard having lifegiving his la to Noche . modern archetypes "spotted", so versatile as to speak, due possible to a natural and not anxiety limited to to keep one them as exclusive interpretation.17 However, myths that essential we structural basis and bourgeois He accomplishes is of regeneration. communication bleak as Yet, El than Este as an Instead and the pessimistic to preclude lugar man redemption. love sin domingo an myths. and In best a false illusion archetypal The perception surrounded domingo the of possibility far . - 99 is - hell by of order. b a s e d on on earth, solitude with , Donoso d e s t r o y s support the of superficiality structure present novel's theme create of a the the emphasizes is reveal biblical the exposes Este isolation old Donoso existential limites domingo the cultivated provide is he any Este and which using Christian inevitable of This this in has disintegration. conventions of possibility concept how society of fall seen bourgeois destruction inversion have and a the the no the possible impossibility of individual. the of human c o n d i t i o n presenting worse and total seems a darker hell on so view. earth Chapter Three All quotes from E s t e domingo Joaquin Mortiz, Mexico, 1968. Notes refer t o e d i t i o n published by 1. Isis Quinteros, Jose Donoso. una i n s u r r e c c i o n c o n t r a l a realidad , (Madrid: Hispanova de E d i c i o n e s , 1978) p. 1 1 4 . As examples of early negative criticisms o f E s t e domingo , I s i s Quinteros quotes two reviews w r i t t e n i n 1966: " . . . Coronacion l o colocd' en e l p r i m e r p i a n o de l a n o v e l a c h i l e n a . R e c i b i o e l o g i o s dentro y fuera del pais. Tuvo premios y traducciones y fue convirtiOndose e n u n g r a n compromiso para e l f u t u r o . M i l e s de entusiastas esperaban e l nuevo paso que d a r f a e l a u t o r . Ahora l o ha dado y e s , en g r a n p a r t e , un p a s o f a l s o . " G u i l l e r m o B l a n c o , Ercilla , (December 2 1 , 1966); ^ S i Este cominoo fuese e l l i b r o de ^ a l g u i e n muy j o v e n r e p r e s e n t a r i a s i n d u d a b u e n o s m e r i t o s ; p e r o Jose Donoso, segun l a s o l a p a , c u e n t a c o n 42 a n o s d e e d a d y u n a publica carrera de e s c r i t o r , cosas ambas q u e n o s c o n f i e r e n e l derecho a exigir una obra significativa de nuestro acervo literario . . . E s t e domingo es un l i b r o a s a z m a l o g r a c o . " M . C . G . , ( P . E . C . , No. 2 0 9 , December 3 0 , 1 9 6 6 ) . 2. George P u b l i s h e r s , 1979), Nuevo McMurray, p. 72. Jose' , (Boston: 3. Emir R o d r i g u e z M o n e g a l , " E l mundo d e Jose"Donoso", , No. 1 2 , V o l .1 2 , June 1967, p p . 79-85. * 4. Raul Bueno Chavez, Donoso, l a destrucci6*n de Garcfa Cambeiro, 1975). ", Donoso 5. Libre Antonio u n mundo Twayne Mundo Cornejo P o l a r and o t h e r s , , (Buenos A i r e s : Fernando " E n t r e v i s t a a p r o p o s i t o de E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a noche , N o . 1 , S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r 1 9 7 1 , p p . 13-16. 6. Charles Tatum,"The Child's Point of View i n Donoso's Fiction", Journal of Spanish Studies Twentieth Century , Spring 1973', V o l . 1 , N o . 1 , p . 1 8 8 . 7. Hernan Vidal, S u r r e a l i s m o y rebelicfn de l o s i n s t i n t o s (Barcelona: Ediciones A u b i , 1972), p. 111. 8. , Tatum, p. 195. 9. Alvin Greenberg, "The Novel of Disintegration; paradoxical impossibility i n contemporary fiction", wisconsin Studies i n Contemporary L i t e r a t u r e , W i n t e r - S p r i n g 1 9 6 6 , V o l . 1, No. 1 , p . 1 0 3 . 10. narrativa Noe" J i t r i k , "Realismo latinoamericana (Havana: - 100 - y antirealismo" in Actual Centro de Investigaciones Literarias, Casa de las Ame'ricas, 1970), p. 25. 11. Antonio Cornejo P o l a r , " J o s e ' Donoso y l o s p r o b l e m a s de la nueva narrativa hispanoamericana", Acta L i t e r a r i a Academiae S c i e n t i a r i u m H u n o a r i c a e , T o m u s 17 ( 1 2 ) , 1 9 7 5 , p . 2 2 1 . 12. Rodriguez Monegal, p. 80. 13. (England: J o s e p h C a m p b e l l , The Masks of God. P r i m i t i v e M y t h o l o g y Penguin Books, 1976), p. 476. 14. Atheneum, Northrop 1967) , p. 15. McMurray, Frye, 145. p. Frye, p. of Criticism , (New York: 84. 16. Quoted by Emir novela como happening", 76-77, July-December 1971, 17. Anatomy , Rodriguez Monegal i n "Jose'Donoso; la Revista Iberoaroericana , V o l . 38, No. p. 521. 102. - 101 - Chapter El 1966. lugar It sin was written Carlos Fuentes' Carlos Fuentes as shift in marks a lugar sin cycle which paiaro which to la most that Coronacion insanity to noche are, . roles, Este El The lugar latter interview of in originated as obsceno pajaro la de transformee qui, pages. en un sin J'en roman The depicted system, unlike of and obsceno is.the Este novel domingo characters w h i c h Donoso El obsceno to de of i l l u s t r a t e the In the m a t e r i a l destined to become qui devait de des milliers je l ' a i etre El lugar la sexual inevitable fall. out and lugar une, of continues pajaro inversion decay man's "J'avais El narrative El : it , that pris urban in .The and d e s t r o y e d by death points ai in domingo v/ith E l limites travesty, Donoso une page the sin were atrophy noche est feudal human Este ends l a noche that use and Coronaci6n a n d l i m i t e s and part en s u b s t a n c e , society de d e s t r u c t i o n and limites milliers lucar were Although the n o v e l i s t i c entropic process France, de El pajaro both affection. and the world of s p i r i t u a l and p h y s i c a l process of wife in dedicated to Rita from Coronacion fact, the is g r a t i t u d e and domingo of The book Coronacion . In t h i r d novel, published where Donoso and h i s integral part obsceno part in inexorable 1972 El of with noche and depict an clearly links of Mexico setting begins Donoso's guests. a sign is is in house limites de limites Four a sin El et des agrandie et sin limites , "1'Oiseau"".1 El lugar m i l i e u of - 102 - sin the limites "haute is under a bourgeoisie" in Donoso's small rural Estacion el en two novels. town the central e l pueblo miedo"(p. cuando heredo' Olivo para The decay: entre one The day virgin, Alejo's the and Hace que q u i e r e . Todos lo a l l powerful: Y tanto poder: hizo construir y a Chile, is siglo The se Don la le Alejo, Estacio'n llevara sus i m m i n e n t doom and La the hombrazo grandote aqui"(p. 58). one que un p o t r e r o c r u z a d o p o r is run par de es mas que l a g e o m e t r i a de las vinas of Vega la La woman as a sort (la of on t h e the four a n d Don Manuela's one Japonesa pornographic who dances supermacho, la no Manuela Pancho 26); and - 103 - la town's eucaliptos un desorden que van brothel a and main c h a r a c t e r s : an a g i n g and only grande), and act la Vega, mas la Japonesita of sexual for Don produced.la the-customers, a truck hombre year pathetic staged peep-show, flamenco for "El y Alejo.. l a Manuela, y bigotudo"(p. Both del Japonesita, a f r i g i d eighteen father, a local debajo life by of de c o n c r e t o , r e s q u e b r a j a d o "El Olivo Pancho Manuela, attracts mas is action centers the tranvestite. benefit era 20); her with no town s i t i a d o por in and Japonesita. of who d e t u v i e r a a h i mismo hinojos l a Manuela, intercourse region is Alejo - i n v a l i d o , un anden 46) brothel homosexual in "Ahora ruinosas Japonesita, old t r e n se the novel by a w e a l t h y l a n d owner plata. de m e d i o ..."(p. tragarselo."(p. depicts "Tanta los estrafalarios, casas Don of 92). un s e m a ' f o r o tumbado de el - setting interior como un D i o s . 74); que The founded Cruz es atmosphere inevitable was h a c e mas productos"(p. linea, It Alejandro tienen el in Olivo. politician, "Aqui previous driver: macho are de "Ese por similarly afraid of of and a t t r a c t e d t o Pancho Pancho Vega's Vega latent es tocarlo y ... allcf que the b r o t h e l signals homosexuality increfblemente desea to fiesta, e l v i e j o maricdn es como triggers an explosion iba to a "Echarjfa barro aba j o donde Alejo will die todos sus alone to the death. their old of unattractive seductive, para avanza atraves puerta, la luz and le que y mientras borrarfa los esa El leads tries homosexual se by dancer: de l a Manuela, de for calles los whom h e the La le asperas de a and de e l Japonesita asaran "No town: paredones despues y 126)] good: destroy to have la Don porque is left e l arado " overcome yo, como - 104 - el escucha las to one la is por overtaken destruction his rebel last ser ... vestido. against t i m e as voy la a ir ... artistas an a a Manuela o c u i t a detra's grandes and s i t u a t i o n as Manuela como d e b e entallandose entrar limites tried appearing alegre persigna sin inevitably to Manuela antes solo deja bailar t i e r r a . " ( p . 69), que lugar characters patio que anhelando" (p. las adobes "Hasta in which sea e l , e l sabe 137) everyone todo que e'l se Alejo will the main del el y quedaref nada death: Pancho y then disappears araria "no climax. r e t o r c e r s e no s e a fracasaron."(115) await irresistible bailar ese para against Don casas, surjieron y entropic process condition: hasta las volveria a unir and que Pancho el pueblo."(p. Three bailando kills. 137). awaited a r r i v a l the n o v e l ' s que b a i l a p a r a m£s"(p. proyectos Everything by esta violence himself slowly long increiblemente asqueroso of todas de encima a todo eso The e'l, tambien, estuviera and nunca y bonigas, tierra se pulp a volver ["Eso a c a r i c i a r l o , desea ... beats Vega. avanza de la antes de salir a la virginity quien su luz."(pp. and eres escape pesado de sonando pegaba, que adentro de who may in sin tener to que hasten the The make of lfmites the was is of apprehension traditional including undergoing 'an' of to Donoso, but such as vaya, que quedara " of authority ... la to of algo anb que 38) ella frio del the rebel Don Alejo, All not la de libertad, el escape aspirations, el de Un sufrir, veneer role saber calor Pancho. nadie."(p. El lugar granted was to enormous a sin solo of their their final only period to fail but that of period more commonly of Cortazar, Vargas resulted in a literary criticism focusing on Latinamerican - significant 1957. By lugar sin attempts express literary eventually 105 El reality, Marques, - to associated in a Latinamerican conscious language, This represents renovation. question Fuentes, limites Coronacidri evident renovate reality, realism. authors to it. of ese her world. sixties, writers "Para hacia the chaos, their from that part con plays of life: y lose v i o l e n c i a , debajo father: out to hoy la algo a wants mano se "Pero esa cuentas their esa patriarchal real her el que en who reaction clearly Latinamerican aunque pero f u l f i l l evolution literature famous to critical end his order collapse substantial the be of sabres y 121); the rendirle disintegration, lo encontraba defy Japonesita monotony Sonando Pancho, fact to el. violentaba, 58) wants ahora noche."(p. ella, Lucifer, cold entonces, con la invierno."(p. efforts y esta llevaba o the Japonesita, cuerpo siquiera 127-128);. La to a by new reject renovation, with the Llosa, most Garcia evolution in literature in general and Donoso Although by the with some emergence literary values, the approaches such Dorfman, available comparison and artistic this for new various forms, structuralist, of Sarduy, Emir Quinteros, Fernando r e f e r e n c e t o Donoso to the limited critical from the critical the new methodological explore Turner, in The methodology, the and "boom". Monegal, Ariel Hugo A c h u g a r analysing bibliography mid-sixties material new faced archetypal to approaches varied of critical Rodriguez Moreno when phenomenon.2 marxist, Severo enormously most, success literary posed formulated appropriate schools methodological the problem which international searched of works avenues .3 A n in and ignore ample different limites and to provided as Isis continued authors methods burgeoning psychoanalytical sin of examine particular these critics narrative, to continued Critics particular. national Latinamerican in in El use lugar becomes onwards, previously in in existence. The "nueva Fuentes, in genealogy for a Fuentes La of valid the the process the novela" nueva novela "nueva critical searching novela" task for a "nueva critica". hispanoamericana approach fundamental of required and to of and outlines , 1969, his understanding Carlos presents basic a criteria i t . According to t h e new L a t i n a m e r i c a n w r i t e r is elaborating a new language: La nueva novela h i s p a n o a m e r i c a n a s e p r e s e n t a como u n a nueva fundaciOn d e l l e n g u a j e c o n t r a l o s prolongamientos calcificados de nuestra falsa y f e u d a l fundacidh de origen y su lenguaje igualmente falso y anacrdhico. ...nuestra literatura es v e r d a d e r a m e n t e r e v o l u c i o n a r i a en cuanto le n i e g a a l o r d e n e s t a b l e c i d o e l l e x i c o que este quisiera y l e opone e l l e n g u a j e de l a a l a r m a , l a renovacidn, el desorden y el h u m o r . E l l e n g u a j e , en suma, de la ambiguidad: de significados, de la constelacioh apertura.4 Fuentes's limites which , comments which are a ambiguous reality. of organization biblical whose addressing limites En de ese del is inversiones: surrealistas. travestismo, de e s t a s es decir, en desenlaces transpuestos, lugar limites reshaping cycle of Donoso's two si: Isis El authors' la una is of sin of the malignant deity.6 la of the first points limites of themes Fernando of out descent into d e s t r u c t i o n , the Moreno Turner los que racfs sexual, es el la 'vuelcos', de narrativa."5 El restating and the narrative their thematic similarities Pedro novela. asiduidad v/hich g i v e the la tradicion mitica ongoing and R u l f o ' s the una de novels critica" desencadena inversion four Severo sin de progresio'n of lugar novela, Donoso's parody El con metonlmica forms Donoso's "nueva la m y t h i c a l themes treatment treatment apariencia part la sin archetypal estructura continua de cadena Quinteros lugar l a Manuela, practicaron domina recurrent comprised coherence. . que s i g n i f icado inversion sin limites of in de la a multiple, the the out, la sin and b e l i e f s . As of de sucesion into is Christian points lugar on a d e m o n i c a good example r e v e l s ' , El of based central, la lugar al is El element reality novela", inversion 'mundo structural inversion "nueva El main to techniques to penetrate ambiguous article sentido language, Donoso novel which an the "la The the myths, Sarduy, for an of p a r t i c u l a r l y relevant a novelistic vehicle presentation se'rie has are la pluralidad de a l u s i o n e s : de Paramo hell, the between in these mythical lost paradise, the and D o n a l d Shaw f i n d the treatment in 51 senor In lugar is to view, in an a lugar reality escalation El lugar of The which and dimensions.8 By opposing without as one identity. old or luoar the sin is many in already and Este and into what alternates points of El lugar Just very found as physical as process only l i m i t e s he Manuela's uses a continuation and the grotesque of destruction but a world of of v i e w as the Donoso de o s c i l l a t e s between by refuge and his or of Este own is ambiguity security view of in the domingo transvestite to la two female, l a Manuela destroyed a homosexual the grotesque lenguaje Coronacion and are calls "el in psychic aberrations, point and In and reality, male - IOC - grotesque surrounding a permanent in limites fragmented. physical of . decrepitude , but Donoso used the p o i n t young sin d i s t o r t i o n . The of the of domingo d i s t o r t e d and a are Este consciousness eventually flashbacks r e l a t i o n to , Fuentes Alternately and central narrative destroyers penetration having found same domingo not la and that the constant includes l a Manuela's torn ever novel grotesque presenting realities. constantly , the uses describes creating ambiguicad", domingo domingo of creators dominant in Este characters, with their psychic participants succeeds to The Three remains Coronacidn disintegration novel's which limites similar a Sunday, l i m i t e s the atmosphere sin reality. , and Este deterioration deity in day, present. in Chapter to , as one escalation sin tangible in domingo compared reflects limites the Este discussed represents El sin illuminate However, a malignant Asturias.7 encapsulated as devices t h e theme o f p r e s i d e n t e ""by El action used of , any very in EI incarnate and present and an the ambiguous unreal p e r c e p t i o n of appear as reality, superimposed where in a the real process of disintegration. In El lugar exceptionally sin and rarely pervasive. The characters integrity limites . further lucar of female Alejo's godlike malevolence. reveals the In El fictional Manuela sin form material only a and thematic filtered Pancho their of hours, beginning 10:00 A.M.: "La action with la the Vega is in El succession of " b a i l a r i n a " is Manuela masks - 109 - a which a subtle The a frigid Don and never presentation each of la presenting objective lapse a ambiguity reality. of nineteen on S u n d a y dificultad of individual a pervasive awakening con integration consciousness within a time despego' is benevolence isolates creates Manuela's sin and a l i e n a t i o n , and t h r o u g h occurs lugar ambiguity. a u n i l a t e r a l p e r c e p t i o n of novel's the between content. through the a l a t e n t homosexual, game underlying p e r c e p t i o n s , Donoso undermines is of Coronacio'n whorehouse l i m i t e s Donoso a c h i e v e s emphasizing of macho, becomes terms El only psychological a constant the , new p r o p o r t i o n s roles: of in and in , assumes alternates l a J a p o n e s i t a or multiplicity The madam local domingo begins changing domingo amplified in presents manipulates face, lugar character, novel the the Este which appears Este substitutions domingo playing and is which character real or of . The Vega, in identity Este Donoso narrative which in impersonator, Pancho of of characters virgin, found identity lfmites ambiguous Coronacion system developed sin in ambiguity The transferences l i m i t e s the grotesque, sus around ojos laganosos, se donde doumia Cinco para estiro la diez. ... and ending 11), Japonesita goes " hicieron ... cerca la de las siempre se Manuela's are their encounter. centered Don la la on the Manuela Alejo's Manuela in antes de siquiera The these The Chapter and six when middle of which five seven, development, la McMurray which the El lugar climax of Coronacion sin of Andres's limites v i o l e n c e and and C h e p a ' s and Este are driven domingo by psychosexual 110 la chapters outcome the of are arrival celebration seduction resulted "Thus, to of zigzags in except both of plot la for and forwards, e m o t i o n a l momentum, and chapters."9 - , Donoso's their d e s t r u c t i o n . As - into seventh, Grande's action final in of essential the As and the heightening the sixth the part accumulating of and y 159) five namely climactic events, impact last events, postponing pieza c e n t e r e d on A l e j o , which central (p. ser Nelly p e r f e c t l y fused summarizes: are la are Japonesa w i t h Don Deben Nelly y are la link: vela." the as ... E n t r o ' en su meeting past el Olivo George la the chal a unifying una return, chapters, a bet a chapters two c h a r a c t e r s Estacidn birth. day encender r e c o l l e c t i o n of part the next madrugada. Vega's electoral victory, as A.M. rosado. de reloj. el llorar la first Pancho Japonesita's thematic oye el con chal porque tomar hombros en su unit. on 5:00 twelve chapters awaiting centered at opuesto los arrebozarse cama s i n symmetrical cubrio' lado para providing m e t i d ' en su has Se mano el shawl cinco novel alargo'la hacia the pink un p o c o one of to bed, llora The y volcandose Japonesita, las rosado."(p. apenas characters own o b s e s s i o n s Donoso p l o t t e d t h e development and the into in a course erosion of their control El lugar sin la Manuela's mechanisms limites by , Donoso emotional their own emerging carefully plots development towards sexuality, Pancho their Vega's final in and climactic encounter. The narrative begins gradually, in the refers the characters' to estaria tocando, first ronca (p.12); "Sin enojara, incline' de estropajo. no, Mejor parece que componerlo." stance the and then the character. monologues sympathy often The , identification trago - Yo - Pero Era of irony."10 focuses "Y tone in which in of on para focus to to el an c i e r t o . Mejor no - I l l the ... sobaco ... el narrative the no them, to narrator's ..." as interior matter how narrated attitudes same t e c h n i q u e interior mind identification "But narrator ahora - corpino objective surrounds no. acordarse Un a certain uses el abrio. to character: y la person characters plata se a first agregar: me d e b e s no hija with no. tu a figural t h i r d person and escote, loca l a Manuela's that commit novel the maleta y Conn comments: text su tocc'. Alzo' e l with narrator the the narrator lo begins Dorr i t tend domingo Pero la seguidos volver que but monologue minutos para para estropeado, the As sacd' narrated cinco como ruido alternates themselves or hacer the commits form of insistente, tan narrator the "Casi Donoso narrows This thoughts: nuevo, esta t r a d i t i o n a l t h i r d person a tocarlo. 14) t h i r d person 'impersonal' Este no (p. monologue. with ni the chapter, e cualquiera." se in found point thoughts of of in view in an This third describe an observer voz Manuela, time, place who assumes "Es and first provide psychological greater Throughout Manuela, first person who, as novel Vega, interior Japonesita and la Don is It is shape the interior the view flow of of o lo and diria (p. 136) the present narrative with provide the events and the novel and stimuli. lo La r e a l i t y but the narration unstable, e l bracero They to becomes doubt sintio'." their point of of and from the characters' impenetrable undoubtedly la the the of Grande. from la often and view seen view Japonesita, monologues, Japonesa never unscrutable, the thoughts point mythic, sobre of previously, the him lo sensorial the Japonesita, point past, into la interior from Alejo the with monologues. temporal or mentioned characters' the sometimes is as the The they their future frequent also gives it between la agility. the Pancho Japonesita into dialogue f l u i d i t y and la ella function expresses inclinado interior towards of y with a varied f l u i d i t y to incorporation* la event and dijo pensara insights flows se Cespedes person only characters, viewing Don Vega and identification luna, Pancho whose g e n e r a l described hay lo orientation seen cue solo not through being o talvez direct other an talvez narration also situate alta, o their to situation hesitation: diria narrator, and ambiguous en person la Japonesa third Grande person identifies situation. Manuela, Unlike within alternates the and different narrator with the Don Alejo is Pancho Vega, la latter characters, Donoso's angles using method of reinforces his which the role. Manuela's - 112 - character is central focus of the Manuela's consciousness awareness of It is the partly identity, through the in permeated flamenco Manuela's consciousness cohesive unit. novel sixteen aspirations At and (p. of A explained: "A Japonesita y ambiguity role no, tu" no, " eres bajando los queden desnudos estoy haciendo gozar (p. the novel elements, unifying and link and a symbol the reader is sexual novel like threads the and Olivo. the whole - novel, the character name this me text la of la into a throughout of of voy sexual erotic in la the Manuela's te yo yo soy 124) - 113 bien (p. is - an a soy female, ..." el negated The assumes sosten (p. l a macha y and a la sexual merely la Manuela a passive role: ves para " como que 123); " tu hembra la the cualquiera." 12) macha, la not of c a r r i e d beyond la to montadas, a c t i v e male quito goza'rtelos porque be because loca l a Manuela Grande como must r e l a t i o n s h i p between mujer Manuela, y presented identity is ..." roles v/hich Japonesa volver a montar papa is also feminine las del y yo but como p a r a later calzones pechos that the of el Manuela's constantly the la terms, part Estacion la are ... dos la of la information referred to Grande and of Other the inversion Japonesa and p e o p l e feminine in gains is maricon terms feminine estoy al and linguistic la the las reader through- seduction. of paragraph largely ambiguity. i m m e d i a t e l y assumes attitude: 12) and times feminine because narrative the is ambiguity in dress the beginning Manuela only to dress, The It linguistic with Manuela's - that characteristics expressed becomes narration. ... yo ... te tus te ..." La anos Japonesita's bien tocaba her un cumplidos ni hombre salia su cama hija como para le el. ... papa'." 146) ; "Y hombres todos que ambivalence [ con que "... y no venga el centro desde deja bailar alia y que estuviera anhelando. nadie 6\4 se quisiera agitaridose en alternatingly Que cuenta. agarrarla no Alejo.i*Que "Lo conocia seria demasiado El asi, de and la tiempo para - 114 de no - este ir "El y es sepa. No que los rien y me su unico sexual mi esa de la loca sea que desea solo alia" deja mirar para si e l , el y lo soba cuerpo 144)], Don role ["Y Estacidn sin el?" que y el tambien, de' c u e n t a . l a Manuela cuenta el e l mib divine darse de en se ese me (p. sabe se no a dormir baila como maricdh Vega's no Pancho ... papa''." corazon, que 139); (p. la Mi Pancho quebrarla, benevolent gente del " entonces se de ..." un pegan y es comprar 16); le porque hasta of de No. retorcerse no ambiguity aqui, (p. baile brazos malevolent Don risa la hombres maricoV q u e Octavio asi, sus viejo Pero (p. divertirme, piel, ... los a tener ese dieciccho queria hija mama. 158)], ..." que da ... ser hijita quiero su el the suya." destino (p. voy quiero, ya su sus todavia siquiera tu que que sin noche ... con 25)], la porque y dice contra en soy de malos a salvarnos sino una nunca." esta ["Ni Claro, el abandone ... c h i q u i l l a de m i e r d a , y . a c a r i c i a r l o , desea acariciar se lo de (p. verguenza cancicn llora seria mi mujer Manuela, en "- son no tocarlo 57); paps' daba bueno, a l l / , que mi cada [" llegaba father le la que casa que le corriendo" dormir bueno, (p. regla her con que apoyo, poder ambiguity la despue's entonces dice with grito' digas y y relationship otra sexual Que y el olisco Alejo's tan bueno (p. algo 20) ; estaba tramando. turbios all Siempre de que central habia lo which overall archetypal inversion of sustains sense, is the structured of and (p. of an of the 57)] norm. beliefs and the its structure. in with its The reveals narrative and archetypal are ambiguous limites the limites negocios sin psychoanalytical to esos lugar inversion social, sin inversion El de politicos." perspective an of myths accessories lugar enemigos by analysis novel's El sus p i l l a r l o en uno Donoso's principle are provides to Christian this contexts acusaban aspects reality querido an form In this existential structure essential which level of limites is dominated by significance. Like Donoso's previous structured by Donoso's the of destruction theme limites is supposed to hell on use earth, become. As novels, of biblical and the a demonic George El lugar imagery eternal parody McMurray has sin and fall. of El lugar the paradise pointed it sin was out: In Hell H a s No L i m i t s D o n o s o r e i n t e r p r e t s b i b l i c a l a n d classical myths a s a means o f p u t t i n g human s i t u a t i o n s and m e t a p h y s i c a l c o n c e p t s i n t o new p e r s p e c t i v e . Indeed, the symbolic allusions to the biblical myth of t h e creation and the fall p r o v i d e a p o e t i c framework f o r the d e p i c t i o n o f an a b s u r d w o r l d b a s e d a t l e a s t i n p a r t on e x i s t e n t i a l i s t p r i n c i p l e s . i l The schematic corruption, analysing the the archetypal task of lost of of rendering of while the the of paradise, structure outline, development reflection relations it novel, overall the El biblical the is fall lugar explains not themes: sin the play sheer - plastic 115 - a vital limites . A structure necessarily l i t e r a r y experience quality of of innocence, the role in schematic and thematic an accurate reader. Donoso's The writing is more d i f f i c u l t . reader it aware helps of to integration El to the By Donoso always, using powerful and the opportunity Donoso's center of characters are consumed chaos: by whole caught is and is a novel that Vega, these at in techniques in the although and their grotesque themes Donoso is on t h e t h e m e s of his magnificent experience of the vortex artistic consequently in of of distortions Japonesita - statements most themes p e r f e c t l y to are la which the virtuosity its literary make writing provides lend themselves Pancho necessarily content. greatest up not narrative imaginative fall for of characters language our use limites fall does Donoso's thematic Don A l e j o , make destruction sin and Manuela, able the the novel's lugar presentation. la the pleasure illuminate his to destruction Textual analysis provide writing. and the novel As becomes when destruction his and No la a l c a n z o ' a m o v e r s e a n t e s que l o s hombres b r o t a d o s de zarzamora s e a b a l a n z a r o n s o b r e e ' l como h a m b r i e n t o s . talvez no f u e r o n e l l o s s i n o o t r o s hombres que penetraron l a mora y l o e n c o n t r a r o n y se l a n z a r o n s o b r e e'l y lo patearon y lo pegaron y lo retorcieron, jadeando sobre e'l, los cuerpos c a l i e n t e s .retorcie'ndose. sobre l a M a n u e l a que y a no p o d f a n i g r i t a r , l o s c u e r p o s pesados, rigidos, los tres una sola masa viscosa retorcie'ndose como u n a n i m a l f a n t S s t i c o d e t r e s c a b e z a s y multiples extremidades heridas e h i r i e n t e s , unidos los t r e s p o r e l v d m i t o y e l c a l o r y e l d o l o r a l l f en e l pasto, buscando quien es el culpable, castigandolo, castig^hdola, c a s t i g ^ h d o s e d e l e i t a d o s h a s t a en e l f o n d o de la confusidn dolorosa, el cuerpo endeble de l a Manuela que y a no r e s i s t e , q u i e b r a b a j o e l p e s o , y a no puede ni aullar de dolor, bocas calientes, manos calientes, cuerpos babientos y duros h i r i e n d o e l s u y o y que r i e n y que i n s u l t a n y que b u s c a n romper y q u e b r a r y destrozar y reconocer ese m o n s t r u o de tres cuerpos retorciendose, hasta que y a no q u e d a n a d a y l a M a n u e l a aoenas v e , a p e n a s o y e , a p e n a s s i e n t e , v e , n o , no ve . . ." (pp. 150-151) v As in Coronacion and Este - domingo 116 - , in El lugar sin limites it is feminine precipitates the Manuela's fall expiation of destruction acto and his al deseo, asumir macho - Pancho and ese Octavio their attack described como in an 1 en aura el babientos La imagen of la with jadeando sus hiriendo variety of instead presenting in from limits a very of an Manuela's explicit Jamesian Donoso, in la terms of mismo vuelve y points su is con le ("Se e*l; unidos calientos to propio impone, el possession rape the tres; and is violence abalanzaron los "El verdugo."12 a and and Octavio su physical similar her the out, secuaz que e s t e for of Vega's inquisidor, violence final sobre el deleitados retorciendose; cuerpos suyo.") that of a homosexual psychological a linear interior phenomena sequence reality psychological transvestite, of thus v/hich straight Donoso, realism, transcending i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of the character, characteristic. like the Pancho La an limites de a f r o n t a r s e sensuality sobre "case", sin erotic connotations el a views se cuerpos illustrates of si of Manuela's Sarduy Pancho Manuela sadistic fondo; Manuela's - substitute of y duros de revels a language hambrientos; hasta perpetran v/hich destruction. expiation lugar Severo l a p o s e s iOn. I n c a p a z la La stimulates As a man - character Chepa's SI in and the nature. In act. que travesti* al and •assumes de assumes Manuela sadistic substituye de la present violence than Maya. of final, case, against terrible for sexuality saclico this cataclysm of crime more final in destruction passion Octavio's - final is incestuous feminine sexuality James and F a u l k n e r , experience of - several 117 - presents a given participants - an situation objective recapitulation deviates of difference and the In a assorted Manuela's in particular, between is la tragedy Donoso's the we Manuela and reflect character interior on both an an being level levels obliterated sin limites misbegotten of experiencing of sexual which interior nature axis to express novel's but and i d e n t i t y . this Manuela dissolves grotesque, la the in the Manuela, of r e a l i t y - on an e x t e r i o r a n d of the character is literally into In duality reveals in h i s concept perceived their a t t r a c t i o n and which on t h e d e s t r u c t i o n La and h i s p e r s o n a l i t y But i n l a o f r e a l i t y . The c h a r a c t e r s duality is story We f e e l o f a mask, dimension simultaneously action. as a of the reflects is that ambivalent - converges of character , outsider of view passions. feel t h e power a t o an appears heroism. as inevitably sin limites point desperate dimension use of a double an and may a p p e a r the characters E l luoar as i t In E l lugar s e a r c h i n g for a s e n s e o f s e c u r i t y o f t h e ambiguous a l l as t h e y through kind pain, an e x t e r i o r "esperpentico" novel a impossible intention. l a Japonesita*s a c t u a l and agony seen perversions there i s thus events synopsis, and confusion the between same e v e n t s crucial. events story from t h e n o v e l i s t ' s the of the physically uncertainty: La Manuela t e r m i n g de a r r e g l a r e l p e l o de l a J a p o n e s i t a en la forma de una colmena. M u j e r . E r a mujer. E l l a se iba a quedar con Pancho. E l e r a h o m b r e . Y v i e j o . Un maricdn pobre y viejo. Una l o c a aficionada a las fiestas y al vino y a l o s trapos y a l o s hombres. E r a facil olvidarlo a q u f , p r o t e g i d o en e l p u e b l o , s f , t i e n e razcin, mejor quedarnos. Pero de pronto l a J a p o n e s i t a l e decia esa palabra y su p r o p r i a imagen s e b o r r o n e a b a como s i hubiera caido encima una gota de agua y e l entonces, se perdia de v i s t a a s f misma, mismo, yo misma n o s4, 4l n o s a b e ni v e a l a M a n u e l a , y no quedaba nada, esta pena, e s t a i n c a p a c i d a d , nada mas, e s t e g r a n b o r r d n d e a g u a e n q u e n a u f r a g a . ( p . 52) - 118 - In use than Este of "point in The provided in of the interior reality characterization unity existential as and archetypal asthetic destruction. integration the Each narrative metaphor perception integrated exemplify narrative in of characters' and their psychoanalytical of the novel's content, narrative elements unique form are fused hell on e a r t h and in a in a myths. of E l lugar and sin limites psychoanalytical unified by the integrates elements thematic i n t o an emphasis o f D o n o s o ' s shows an i n c r e a s i n g l y psychoanalytical structure and o f human e x i s t e n c e of that , are integrated experience i s part later system s i n l i m i t e s . The framework w h i c h d e p i c t s novel a domingo human of a concepts Donoso's integrates thematic existential of of structure synthesis for and E s t e psychoanalytical mytho-poetic novel's framework which the are part t h e view o f s o c i e t y psychoanalytical i n E l lugar demonic p a r o d y o f b i b l i c a l the and absurdity to portrayed p e r s o n a l i t y , a s i n James' Coronacion framework experience The s i n l i m i t e s , the increased for limiting characters intellectual a poetic cohesive allows existential an aesthetic E l lugar the aspects being This the characterization into , vision. heightening novels. and o f v i e w " means a l e s s d i r e c t p o r t r a i t u r e o f s o c i e t y Coronacion character's but domingo and e x i s t e n t i a l content. i n E l lugar The absurd sin limites on subtle framework t o becomes a and Donoso's t h e ambiguous and d e s t r u c t i v e n a t u r e o f r e a l i t y i s the ambiguity characterization and of the characters who a n n i h i l a t e hope as t h e y a l l c o n v e r g e i n disintegration. - 119 - Donoso set up the limites a uses basis . The unified structure myths. creation of the la machismo is resigns es de s i e m p r e , The in novel's is the faustico"14. indirectly brothel. image as La with La echarla, Don Manuela porque de tantas que Voy ". la a a est^n casas from that in to find y asi', seria de p u t a s - 120 Japonesita and downfall of a l l imminent Pancho emerges Vega's hope of que no concluyendose. Lo las cosas a volver . . Mephistopheles's used part of the represented in the of with to la of "hombre Japonesa Grande, propietaria, porque se co-ov/ner of nadie mandar. ponia la the and p e a c e Podria concludes connotations, become security as which incarnation suya. - the w i t h no of system order with la connotations made a p a c t on 156) , also inverted begins . voy the place this In reveals and y . sin facing death . lugar El mainly death, one Faustus hell. Alejo, casa (p. of . is siempre a Talca a system hoped to living ir taken has Alejo to based la the t e r m i n a n dan paz a twisted, Manuela arrangement: to Doctor of core and imagery limites imagery beaten de s i e m p r e . " for sin the b i r t h of and in latent homosexuality indicates basis appears his title, epigraphl3, Manuela echado . lo and e n d , Don concluirse, Marlowe's the mythical this savagely as lugar disintegration is cosas . and novel's esperanza. . El universe structural the a novel's speeches in "Las la Olivo herself comienzan terrible novel At destroyed regeneration: cambian biblical town's Manuela Japonesita .lo the of narrative el narrative mythological analysis of Estacion with from b i b l i c a l the This characters. death, of archetypal biblical concludes elements tan of mind the in podria La habian loca cuando comenzaba la signified for inverted Olivo, a (p. nunca para 107); he sinking down casa tanto . Lucifer tengo y apisonarlo (p. 21) myth as . arrives, it death. and nature continuing which of of is In in El of the itself and the itself are c o m p l e t e d as its in which of the only ashes. - 121 - hell: el baile of of of v/ho brings rebel Vega angel Alejo's. the grotesque development El angel myth, and an evolution in of the of in imagination r e a l i t y and the him Pancho p a r a l l e l e d by de brought Vega Don que talvez awaited case, . The into inversion the . yo limites consciousness una 128) para only el literally salon, Pancho sin creative inner (p. fact ultimate conclusion the luz, descent del long this and de in i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n of r e a l i t y are destruction is has a biblical in era c e r t a i n elements form of lugar Estacioh en un c a l a b o z o sirviera pact which already s e n t £ que structural his the designs, reaches noche the when exploration de to la and que uses Manuela's inversion evolution para part his me e n g a n a r o n . " of pact, in un p o c o rundown, Donoso La darkness ambiguous burnt porque sumiendo. pajaro is a ver e l piso estaba another destruction siempre . . . the who o p p o s e s G o d ' s Donoso's que image and The . claro . derecho hoyo, of remain a clear and incarnates ". this he must y meterme p a r a este limites agony that earth, Faustus deliverance is of inversion into Doctor failure total and se sin result decrepit bajando." the de The present, siguio' him . yo rocillarlo lugar a freedom: apresarme ". 87) Manuela of salido at (p. nature, loss brothel "La la sexual traici<5n ." fiesta." of left the in theme El obsceno eliminates narrative the novel In of El the as it The it sustained based beliefs terms and benevolent as he the biblical earth, hell unity on the of a demonic the downfall Estacion to become, and central archetypal el parody promised El their the of land lugar the they Cruz, town's name) of to attempt prays as Don to of d e v i l w i t h whom h e made Their faith in symbolic in a pact in as dominates deity. Pancho God a style a and from t h a t a malignant A l e j o both in assumptions a p o w e r f u l God from structure live obviously escape t o Don recur coherence. Alejo shifts that images limites hold is wine, unifying novel's sin structure images: These e x i s t e n t i a l concerns. perception fervently of the name, deity concrete darkness. themselves, (whose is light, which provide from t h e i r as recurrent clearly part in desperate Octavio, of myths paternal Manuela's into of are universe Cruz novel and they developed biblical only destruction dogs, characters Alejo the body black on b i b l i c a l mythological Don a four The not the physical supposed aesthetic by that , we w i t n e s s Alejo. novel's often but was by Don vineyards, limites degenerates paradise prophesied so sin a l l the characters Olivo is lugar of In Vega the a la and father reminiscent psalms: . . d e f i e n d a m e d e l m i e d o , u s t e d me p r o m e t i d * q u e n u n c a me iba a pasar n a d a , q u e s i e m p r e me i b a a p r o t e g e r y por eso me quede en ese pueblo y a h o r a t i e n e que cumplir su promesa de defenderme y sanarme y consolarme, nunca antes se l o h a b i a p e d i d o n i l e h a b i a cobrado su palabra pero ahora si, sd'lo u s t e d , s o l o usted . . . no s e h a g a e l s o r d o , Don A l e j o . . . u s t e d es e l s e n b r y l o p u e d e t o d o . ( p . 149) Don Olivo the Alejo Cruz "promised has land" promised the inhabitants with electricity • - 122 - bringing of Estacion new v i g o r el and energy to town, a light and town: he of wine is also has I the the Lord do the in la Don chaos these In A l e j o . As the order El Don the the Alejo ye are Northrop Frye brought the the maker the branches" through the B i b l e , Don or I or make p e a c e , limites and , linked has create to power Donoso's which la.Manuela as the darkness: character and and has 45:7) . D i v i n e sin an is is also actively p a t e r n a l God. this pointed in Eucharist Alejo lightness of Vega is the founded vineyards, a benevolent fall to creation he a l t e r n a t e l y a p p e a r s and light identified with Christ lugar Pancho bring God's (Isaiah duality destroys of in things" evil. as vine, darkness; Japonesita, theme of Christ or ambivalent the Don owner with a l l Alejo terms. to darkness. am t h e create who of "I and power novel, and the Creator either light, in malevolent perception said to t h e power symbolically associated of presented embodied are p o t e n t i a l t o be perception the Jesus create the chaos l a n d l o r d , the Similar to has in b i b l i c a l (vineyards as form evil: to the Bible, Alejo power order is ritual). power t o w n . Don divine the wine the "I the In ambivalent out: It is with the " f a l l " t h a t the l e g a l metaphor begins that persists a l l t h r o u g h t h e B i b l e , o f human l i f e a s subject to a t r i a l and judgement, w i t h p r o s e c u t o r s and defenders. In this metaphor Jesus is the counsel f o r the defense, and t h e p r i m a r y a c c u s e r i s S a t a n . . ..In the e m o t i o n a l response t o C h r i s t i a n i t y a t any r a t e , t h e role of God as F a t h e r , h o w e v e r d e f i n e d i n dogma, k e e p s shifting from the benevolent to the d i a b o l i c a l , from a being genuinely concerned for man t o an e s s e n t i a l l y malicious being compounded o f w r a t h and c o n d e m n a t i o n . One consequence of having a c r e a t i o n myth, w i t h a f a l l myth inseparable from i t , has been t h e sense of b e i n g objective to God, or, more specifically, of being constantly watched and observed, by an a l l - s e i n g eye that is always p o t e n t i a l l y h o s t i l e . 1 5 Don Alejo condemns Estacidn - 123 el Olivo - to disintegration. He has no to i n t e n t i o n of incorporate buying has out town is earth, place the a l l bypassed which is As the "Podria decirse se la de the que en el and vineyards the their Olivo biblical ruins parody and The Don Alejo's image the four black The four a the of made of a into dogs of black narrative Don out, an is no highway future. it is The hell on sterile, misery in plans slowly the and/or of he El going lugar absolute personal o a on sin value: grupal, especificidad historica, categoria absoluta: destino."16 been and a l l the c o n d e m n e d b y Don l a n d l o r d emerge with harvest to the as Jesus and that slums dogs, harvest food points cierta l a b y r i n t h of black is aging un d e s t i n o Manuela similar four is is on is are l i m i t e s en una el the places into Manuela and have wasteland transformed es la of sin and paradise, becomes fue t o w n as doomed, nothingness, a una association b i b l i c a l . imagery demonic que lugar d e s t r u c c i o n , entonces Estacion of is there earthly inhabitants manera Japonesita, left, destruction lo 51 have the vineyards town Cornejo Polar of to i n t o more the abyss alguna convierte La by of human theme site youth Antonio limites referido the only electricity i n h a b i t a n t s . The opposite and t h e endlessly. town the i t , the bringing vintage where the A l e j o to the in Este Chepa endless vintage t o be consumed by darkness ideal i n . This of domingo - of . The collapses are is wrath death of world context vineyards in which l a Manuela and of a demonic parody and found inhabitants haunted destroyed. in which la symbolized by Alejo. dogs accompany level Don they provide - 124 - A l e j o everywhere along with la he goes Manuela's flamenco dress, another mentioned constantly In like fact, times. On Don endemoniados" sounds novel's who will dogs Moro, paradox of church with interesting evil limites ., Alejo's This Cana): the parody is in (which is a se . the . todos Cruz that y trataba wine is of the drunk the sabian sabian una the death. beasts (p. world the dogs into is "djinns", with El blood, luaar sin celebrating Don wedding at Cana. a l i n g u i s t i c parody e l e c t o r a l v i c t o r y c e l e b r a t i o n of' que c a r i c a t u r e of iban donde fiesta - 125 a festejar y como lo en h o n o r - the festejar. d e l Senor y of the celebration e l t r i u n f o de iban a At XVIII). In feast at 133), Islam the (Koran, the o f t e n p a r a l l e l e d by the the with Eucharist. at (p. illustrate identified new w i n e grotesque de is four barking Muslim the Koran, dogs the el Olivo the to "perros inferno Estacion association black of Alejo brings t r a d i t i o n of rite his literally Don The form of parodies as ". 46). the t h e new w i n e They sixteen dogs* galloping with novel. are of messengers for the are contribute the unleashes death raisa". Bible, style Alejandro porque in through demonic brothel (p. of associated la assume t h e election biblical en him Throughout and dogs parody of they mentioned novel, sounds Alejo Sultan). moros because particularly Don names Negus, genies the destruction have "hay the as d e i t y . They demonic In with are black malignant manifest conclusion, (Otelo, a four thread, throughout they thematic association announce The intervals the apocalypse. their the or a associated reinforcing 155). are the are as unifying dress, level, Alejo and of regular flamenco thematic establishing horsemen at the a important, at Don Pero cualquier cosa que se r e l a c i o n a r a con e l Senor e r a buena, . . . " (p. 75) Donoso demonic parody beliefs; In symbol of them consistently of Christian theological the uses life biblical myths, an imagery present a i n v e r s i o n of C h r i s t i a n terms the v i n e y a r d s of the Lord are the g i v i n g f a i t h and t o be allowed i s a s i g n of grace. In E l lugar s i n l i m i t e s to c u l t i v a t e , the vineyards are a the highway the a n t i t y p e o f the s t r a i g h t way, t h e path o f redemption so v i t a l to sign to o f d e s t r u c t i o n as they take over t h e town. The t w i s t has taken, t h e r e f o r e bypassing C h r i s t i a n i t y . I s a i a h a s s o c i a t e s the b u i l d i n g of a path the desert bringing Este into the domingo apocalyptic sin a straight , Donoso straight nothingness no redemption of limites absent i n E l l u g a r s i n l i m i t e s as i n a demonic . c o u n t e r p a r t to the moves and in a single direction towards death. As i n Este domingo there i s or r e g e n e r a t i o n . However i n E l lugar s i n t h e refuge i n the r i c h t e x t u r e of c h i l h o o d memories i s and the tender e v o c a t i o n of domestic l i f e which marks Este domingo i s eliminated i n E l lugar s i n l i m i t e s . In the last two chapters of E l lugar s i n l i m i t e s , when i s no p o s s i b i l i t y o f s a l v a t i o n f o r the c h a r a c t e r s , there i s an desperate is imagery of we do not f i n d the g e n t l e v i s t a open t o t h e past of one's childhood, there presents with f e r t i l i t y through way - l o s t d i r e c t i o n , dead end. In E l lugar l i m i t e s . everything hope highway d e s e r t to l i f e . Again destruction, also Estacion e l Olivo, i s in absence as sharp characters of the memory. The p r e s e n t , which i s as bleak and f u t u r e , dominates the novel's c o n t r a s t t o the p r e c e d i n g live t e n chapters i n an i n t e r i o r v/orld f i l l e d - 126 - conclusion. This i n v/hich the by past memories and illusions for characters' illusions As in archetypal novel's structure demonic twist. memory. La La of The the for the and Este novel progresses, future are with a l l f r u s t r a t e d and past and la Vega. For lugar reduction Manuela and Vega la in of the remember remembers Japonesa sin the their limites consistent consistently Pancho Manuela better days. this appears , El t i m e , but inversion, Pancho la domingo reduction of Japonesita Japonesita, town's As demolished. Coronacion an encounter future. aspirations are presents the with t i m e has a characters' their his Grande the previous childhood. remember the example: La Japonesa Grande recordaba, h a c i a e l f i n a l , que en otra epoca la misa de d o c e en e l v e r a n o a t r a i a a l o s bracks y a l a s v i c t o r i a s mas e n c o p e t a d o s d e l a r e g i d h , y l a j u v e n t u d e l e g a n t e . . . se r e u n i a a l a t a r d e c e r , en caballos e s c o j i d o s , a l a p u e r t a d e l c o r r e o que t r a i a e l tren. Los muchachos, tan comedidos de dia como acompanantes de sus h e r m a n a s , p r i m a s o n o v i a s , de noche se ' s o l t a b a n el p e l o en l a c a s a de l a J a p o n e s a , que no c e r r a b a nunca. (p. 45) This present ." is lost paradise ("Ahora (p. the consuming the e r a ma's However, 20). past no in contrasts which town and que this are its strongly un p o t r e r o lost found cruzado por paradise the la evoked w i t h roots i n h a b i t a n t s . As with the void of the Fernando evil of the linea . nostalgia which Moreno is Turner summarizes: Este paraiso que se anbra nostalgicamente, que se recrea para e v a d i r e l p r e s e n t e , no es t a l s i n e m b a r g o . La inversion u n a v e z mas h a c e d e l a s s u y a s . E n e f e c t o , el t i e m p o p r e t e " r i t o no e s t a e x e n t o de c u l p a , e l p a r a i s o no es p u r o ; en r e a l i d a d es en e l p a s a d o d o n d e e s t a ' n l a s raices del mal que aquejan al presente. Son esas celebraciones, esos ritos donde se r i n d e j p l e i t e s i a . a l Dios satcfnico, las que provocan la caida. En e s a s fiestas, donde la Japonesa Grande viene a s e r ^ un equivalente de la sacerdotisa del gran senor, - 127 - encontramos el presente Time is destroys: ". engullirlos the the only . siempre 134). hell El a and el ." (p. in to sin limites of the in four novel cuatro that eternal announcing escape the destructive a l l are of held and gives is the the and of novel igual forces captive What its mytho-poetic destruction. . . . . . " biblical destruction. inexorable. queria deterioration Alejandro use and are de Don , Donoso's en death perros which fall que siempre by significance dogs vivo Otelo limites what y que advances Moro, destruction and inexorably peligroso The Sultan, sin which inevitable destiny their of 143). dominated limits their richness, the process lugar tiempo the los v/orld preordained, lugar . . "Negus, without succumb . perfectos In creates eternal destroyer constant destruction: e l fundamento d e l u n i v e r s o degradado ha l l e g a d o a su p u n t o c u l m i n a n t e . 1 7 of (p. myths evil, until Their . a they fall is in El counts aesthetic unity presentation of Chapter All published four notes quotes from El lugar sin limites by E d i t o r i a l E u r o s , B a r c e l o n a , 1975. 1. H. Biancotti, S. Sarduy, Instrument pour se connaitre", Q u i n z a i n e L i t t d r a i r e , No. 136, March refer to edition "Jose' Donoso: Le roman? interview published in 1 9 7 8 , p. 8. Un La 2. Good examples of these a p p r o a c h e s a r e t o be f o u n d i n : Roberto Fernandez Retamar, "Para una teoria de l a l i t e r a t u r a hispanoamericana", Casa de las A m e r i c a s , No. 80, 1973; Carlos RincOn, "Sobre critica e historia de la literatura hoy en Latinoamerica", Casa de las Ame'ricas , No. 80, 1973; Kurt Schnelle, "Acerca del p r o b l e m a de l a n o v e l a l a t i n o a m e r i c a n a " i n E l e n s a y o y l a c r f t i c a l i t e r a r i a en I b e r o a m e r i c a , T o r o n t o , 1970. 3. S e v e r o S a r d u y , " E s c r i t u r a / t r a v e s t i s m o " , Mundo Nuevo , N o . 20, February 1968, p p . 7 2 - 7 4 ; E m i r R o d r i g u e z M o n e g a l , " E l mundo de J o s e ' D o n o s o " , Mundo Nuevo , No. 1 2 , J u n e 1 9 6 7 , p p . 7 9 - 8 5 ; Isis Quinteros, Jos/ Donoso, una insur reccidh contra la realidad (Madrid: Hispanova de Ediciones, 1978); Ariel Dorfman, Imaginacidh y violencia en America Latina (Santiago: E d i t o r i a l Universitaria, 1970); F e r n a n d o M o r e n o T u r n e r , " L a i n v e r s i o n como norma a p r o p d s i t o de E l L u g a r S i n L i m i t e s " i n Jose^ Donoso, l a destruccidh de un mundo ( B u e n o s A i r e s : F e r n a n d o G a r c i a C a m b e i r o Editorial, 1975); Hugo . A c h u g a r , Ideologfa y estructuras narrativas en Jose Donoso (Caracas: Centro de Estudios L a t i n o a m e r i c a n o s Rdmulo G a l l e g o s , 1979). 4. C a r l o s F u e n t e s , La nueva n o v e l a E d i t o r i a l J o a q u i n M o r t i z , 1969), p. 32. 5. Sarduy, p. 72. 6. Quinteros, pp. 7. Moreno hispanoamericana hispanoamericana (Mexico: 146-151. Turner, (Madrid: p. 100; Ediciones Donald Shaw, Nueva n a r r a t i v a C a t e d r a , 1 9 8 1 ) , p. 146. 8. An interesting a r t i c l e on t h e g r o t e s q u e d i m e n s i o n i n E l lugar sin limites is by K i r s t e n N i g r o , "From C r i o l l i s m o t o the Grotesque: approaches to J o s e Donoso" i n T r a d i t i o n and R e n e w a l , Essays on T w e n t i e t h C e n t u r y L a t i n - A m e r i c a n L i t e r a t u r e and C u l t u r e , Centre for Latin-America and Caribbean Studies, No. 2, U n i v e r s i t y of I l l i n o i s Press, 1975. 9. George McMurray, J o s / Donoso - 12S - (Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1979), pp. 102-103. 10. Dorritt Cohn, Transparent Minds, Narrative Presenting Consciousness in Fiction (Princeton: U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , 1 9 7 8 ) , p. 117. 11. McMurray, 12. Sarduy, 13. To D r . F a u s t u s question: " T e l l me, w h e r e i s t h e p l a c e Mephistopheles replies: "Under the heavens. p. p. Modes f o r Princeton 90. 74. 1 • • that men c a l l hell?" • W i t h i n the bowels of these elements W h e r e we a r e t o r t u r e d , a n d r e m a i n f o r e v e r . H e l l h a t h no l i m i t s , n o r i s c i r c u m s c r i b e d I n o n e s e l f p l a c e ; b u t w h e r e we a r e i s h e l l , A n d w h e r e h e l l i s , t h e r e m u s t we e v e r b e . . ." 14. The similarities between El lugar sin limites and Marlowe's Doctor Faustus are p o i n t e d o u t by an a r t i c l e by J o s e Promis: " E l mundo i n f e r n a l d e l n o v e l i s t a J o s e D o n o s o " i n T i e r r a y mundo en l a n o v e l a h i s p a n o a m e r i c a n a , E d i c i o n e s de l a U n i v e r s i d a d d e l N o r t e , A n t o f a g a s t a , C h i l e , 1969. 15. (Toronto: Northrop Academic F r y e , The G r e a t Code, t h e B i b l e P r e s s C a n a d a , 1 9 8 2 ) , p . 11.0. 16. Antonio Cornejo P o l a r , "Jose la nueva narrativa hispanoamericana", S c i e n t i a r i u m H u n g a r i c a e , T o m u s 17 ( 1 2 ) , 17. Moreno Turner, p. 96. - 130 - and Literature D o n o s o y l o s p r o b l e m a s de Acta L i t e r a r i a Academiae 1S75, p. 220. Chapter El obsceno Donoso's fourth by critics. most eight in years terms novel. describes novel It on of In pajaro la and it a long is noche is , considered book, 544 i t . Some b i o g r a p h i c a l the an de five circumstances interview a period of with complete published in to masterpiece pages, and Donoso the Rodriguez insanity his information surrounding Emir be which he 1970, is is worked interesting writing Monegal, of the Donoso suffered: . . t u v e o t r a h e m o r r a g i a d e u ' l c e r a y me t u v i e r o n q u e hacer una operacidh de emergencia. A causa de mi intolerancia a la morfina, pase va'rios dias enloquecido, con alucinaciones, doble personalidad, paranoia e i n t e n t o s s u i c i d a s . . . l o s e f e c t o s de e s t a locura demoraron un p a r de a n o s a d e s a p a r e c e r . . . En un esfuerzo sin pausa durante ocho meses, todavia sufriendo de p e s a d i l l a s y p a r a n o i a , empece a r e e s c r i b i r desde el principio E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a noche . E l recuerdo de los m i l e s de p a g i n a s que y a h a b i a e s c r i t o dio al material una organizacidn quiza redescubierta t r l f s mi e x p e r i e n c i a con l a locura.1 Donoso of the also novel discussed with after experience his another interviewer with the reorganization insanity: Empece^ l a n o v e l a " d a c a p o " , e s d e c i r i n t e g r a l m e n t e c o m o si nunca l a h u b i e r a comenzado, e l t r a b a j o de ocho anos como que lo ingeri y a t r a v e l d e e s t a l o c u r a s e me ordend' en l a forma que a p a r e c e a h o r a . Lo e s c r i b i * desde el 15 de marzo hasta e l 15 d e o c t u b r e d e l m i s m o aftb (1969) incorporando t o d o e l m a t e r i a l de l o s ocho a n o s , p e r o d a n d o l e e l o r d e n q u e me h a b i a s u g e r i d o l a l o c u r a . 2 We know mansion, servants. doubt has that filled The as Donoso, with fictional its as senile, world genesis child, eccentric old of many - a El obsceno elements 131 - of lived in a large, relatives pajaro the de and old run by l a noche no author's personal background familiar and the socio-histor ical context the v/riter is with. Donoso, as the in initial an a r t i c l e element of he the wrote, novel's describes what conception in he perceives 1960: . cuando de p r o n t o v i que s e d e t u v o j u s t o d e l a n t e de nosotros un gran coche oscuro, lujosisimo, con chofer con librea de l o s que no s e v e i a n - y s u p o n g o que ahora tampoco s e vera'n en S a n t i a g o . E l c h o f e r e r a rubio, de ojos azules, e l e ' c t r i c o s , buen mozo, con l a barbilla partida, como l o s A z c o i t f a e n m i n o v e l a . P e r o esta p r e s e n c i a no h u b i e r a b a s t a d o p a r a s u g e r i r n a d a : en el asiento de atra"s, e l e g a n t i s i m o , s o l i t a r i o , i b a un monstruo, un n i n o c o n l a c a r a c o s i d a ^ y z u r c i d a , e n a n o y con j o r o b a . Iba a l l a m a r l e l a a t e n c i o n a Fernando sobre esta vision y e s t e c o n t r a s t e -I C u a l de l o s dos e r a e l triunfante? i Cual de los dos e l h u m i l l a d o ? - , cuando cambiaron las l u c e s , e l coche partid", y l a conversacidn nos l l e v d * c a s i i n m e d i a t a n e n t e a c o s a s t a n l e j a n a s de l a reciente v i s i o n no c o m p a r t i d a , que p o r e n t o n c e s no d e j o " ninguna h u e l l a en mi i m a g i n a c i d h y p a r e c i d " b o r r a r s e p o r c o m p l e t o de mi m e m o r i a . 3 Donoso of the finally concludes, referring to the material at the origin novel: Los resultados han sido, casi siempre, infinitamente distintos a l o s p r i n c i p i o s , s e m i l l a y no p l a n t a , p i a n o azul y no casa, de modo que no solo nadie se "reconoce", lo que seria imposible, p u e s t o que c a d a personaje y cada situacidn esta'n compuestos de i n f i n i t a s , c a p a s de t i e m p o y s e n s a c i o n e s y e m o c i o n e s que necesariamente deforman e l o r i g i n a l , s i es que l o hubo claro y unrvoco; si no tampoco n a d i e sabe que e s t a ^ unido al comienzo mismo de la e s p i n a d o r s a l - como testigo, como i l u m i n a d o s o j o s que m i r a n y por l o t a n t o que t a m b i e n m o d i f i c a n - de l o que he e s c r i t o . 4 With pointless creative in any to ghosts. try process. Donoso's writer's literary to Donoso's it retrace a l l the In previous past,.an creation the case of novels, exercise statements in the elements obsceno novel exorcism, are - El is - at impossible the origin pajaro de is search a in and of the l a noche for a confrontation with fascinating 132 both terms, of what as the past they reveal of h i s p e r s o n a l i t y and psychology but not deeply relevant in terms of a p r o d u c t i v e r e a d i n g of E l obsceno pcTjaro de l a noche on the do illuminate of practical narrative l e v e l . the some aspects of the c r e a t i v e process novel throughout However, the a u t h o r ' s and the as such, deserve note, comments at the o r i g i n particularly novel we f i n d echoes of the c r e a t i v e process Donoso has r e f e r r e d to i n the as that interviews: l e c o n f e s d a Don Jerdnimo que no pudo d e j a r de admirar al artista, no sabxa c u a l era l a r e a l i d a d , l a de adentro o l a de a f u e r a , s i habia inventado. l o que pensaba o lo que pensaba habia inventado l o que sus ojos veian. E r a un mundo s e l l a d o , ahogante, como v i v i r adentro de un s a c o , tratando de morder e l yute para buscar una s a l i d a o d a r l e una entrada a l a i r e y ver s i era afuera o adentro o en o t r a p a r t e donde estaba su destino, beber un poco de a i r e f r e s c o no confinado por sus obsesiones, donde comenzaba a ser d l y dejaba de ser l o s dem£s . . . (p. 245) Humberto no t e n i a l a vocacidn de l a s e n c i l l e z . Sentia. necesidad de retorcer lo normal, una e s p e c i e de compulsion por vengarse o d e s t r u i r y fue t a n t o l o que complied' y deformd' su proyecto i n i c i a l que es como s i il mismo se h u b i e r a p e r d i d o para siempre en el laberinto que iba inventando lleno de o s c u r i d a d y terrores con mas c o n s i s t e n c i a que il mismo y que sus demas p e r s o n a j e s , siempre gaseosos, f l u c t u a n t e s , jama's un ser humano, siempre d i s f r a c e s , a c t o r e s , m a q u i l l a j e s que se disolvfan . . . s f , eran ma's importantes sus obsesiones y sus odios que l a r e a l i d a d que l e era n e c e s a r i o negar . . . (p. 488) One could say overexposure. analysing There it.5 sociological, that is an thematic, readers surprising fact that of pleasure abundance suffers of Donoso's his from articles critical and reviews for so much m o r a l , symbolical, structural, psychoanalytical that to novel The novel has been the occasion analysis, justice this the may miss the simple and apparently book i s very enjoyable to r e a d . To do w r i t i n g , to convey the q u a l i t y and q u a n t i t y work can p r o v i d e i s - 133 - especially d i f f i c u l t i n the case of of El obsceno trying to impoverishment critic of El represent novel what obsceno that read , la once has and the inevitable their the the inadequacy context, problem richness of the how to of Donoso's the critics' tedious. novel the most of novel differ elusive. meaningless . One Coleman: "The have in quite noche you that happens interpretation de and from noche scope from the of the only finished in more The the traditional context honest fact you can reading it, is rendering of El comments is assert that about you have it."6 The a text of mental functions Mudito El obsceno to e l Mudito. invent of a Humberto invent of usual family el the sense. the is name Mudito? nothing is what obsceno essential except or de la possibility 134 clearly "I" - which the of one Does confers authorship? invent is of factual. which the Does himself? psychological The in transformations, atmosphere noche structure monologue undergo bizarre the hallucinations i d e n t i t y of an appears - and c e r t a i n l y not in the has interior e l Mudito is pajaro noche other characters fact El the characters neutrality. In the Does hallucinations identity. certain and substitutions, In la a long Penaloza, The de obsessions Nothing Humberto identity definition pajaro delirium, basically according character, the novel la the complex Alexander Bird de v e r i s i m i l i t u d e are pajaro of The of . Apart separated actually comprehensive principles of a noche the pajaro magnitude, such of la passages becoming is accounts any of the de summarize obsceno without It pajaro of plausible defined individual norm is change. the El mask, obsceno pcnaro only see de la narrative nosotros", narrator a l l the the mode to character assortment reveals that there what is in an decipher goes of lies behind the mask, we emptiness. alternates interwoven reader as bewildering tell never the p o s s i b i l i t y The forces noche from often the "tu, usted, ambiguous mutations through of context el, that identity. transformation i d e n t i t i e s as yo, and The adopts a he-she-it-we-you-they-I story: . . . soy^la septima v i e j a , t o d o s l o s d i a s . ( p . 130) Yo, para e s t a c o r t e z a que n a d a . ( p . 217) Las 119) siete Yo soy viejas e l padre es impudor Humberto tendemos del hijo tu de • So£. e l Mudito. A vezes muneco de l a I r i s . ( p . 431) a la soy me l o Penaloza, la Iris Iris. (p. otra en demuestra no le la cama. nacer. ( p . 448) Una manana amaneci (p. 94) vieja mas. Soy el no no es te cama de la No existe Humberto Penaloza, es una invenci<5n, una p e r s o n a s i n o un p e r s o n a j e . . . M u d o , M u d i t o , v a y a s , no d e s a p a r e z c a s . . . ( p . 447) Tengo que Iris . . . servia en la Tu cuarto esta* oscuro. N u e s t r o c u a r t o . . . . tomo t u mano dormida y c o n e l l a r c z o m i c u e r p o . Me t i e n e s q u e reconocer, Inls, acceptame si q u i e r a a h o r a , t a l como soy, sea quien sea, Humberto, M u d i t o , ^ v i e j a , guagua, idiota, . . . line's! D e s p i e r t a s . - Jeronimo . . . (p. 465) Ahora me e l i m i n a r e ' ' y o p a r a q u e t e d e s p l o m e s y t e p a r t a s en mil fragmentos a l c a e r y p o n d r a n l o s f r a g m e n t o s en el c a r r o d e l M u d i t o y e l M u d i t o l o s a r r a s t r a r a h a s t a su patio para que la lluvia y e l tiempo y e l viento te corrompan y t e e l i m i n e n . Tengo muchas p a g i n a s en b i a n c o esperando que yo escriba tu f i n , t e n g o mucho t i e m p o para i n v e n , t a r t e e l f i n mas a b y e c t o p o r q u e a h o r a e s t o y a salvo aqui en la Casa . . . n o s o t r a s y a no tememos n a d a , y o y a no temo a P e t a P o n c e . . . ( p p . 4 7 1 - 4 7 2 ) - 135 - As John H a s s e t t comments on e l M u d i t o ' s narration: Central t o M u d i t o ' s . n a r r a t i o n i s t h e u s e o f an i n t e r i o r monologue which from one moment t o t h e n e x t s u d d e n l y externalizes itself by r e p r e s e n t i n g the c o n v e r s a t i o n s of all the other c h a r a c t e r s . As a k i n d o f r o v i n g eye limited by n e i t h e r t i m e n o r s p a c e , M u d i t o has t h e power not only to record the c o n v e r s a t i o n s of those around him, b u t t o r e p r o d u c e c o n v e r s a t i o n s t h a t may or may n o t have taken p l a c e . . . B e c a u s e t h e r e i s no d i s t i n c t i o n made between what a p e r s o n t h i n k s and what he a c t u a l l y verbalizes, dialogues become embedded w i t h i n M u d i t o ' s continuous monologue. Such a blending of the presentational forms o f n a r r a t i o n i n t o t h e body o f t h e text results from Donoso's refusal to d i f f e r e n t i a t e between a character and t h e i d e a o f t h a t c h a r a c t e r i n h i s n a r r a t o r ' s mind.7 The narrative traditional time notion and s p a c e , importance fiction voice of is the narrative. As an blending the one considers of past the question chronology integrated of clearest of character and p r e s e n t , manipulation of he destroys the fusing point Jamesian point of of and d e s t r o y s as it drifts characters. view in in The Donoso's influences. v i e w as the Donoso vital to his comments: Mi posibilidad de d e s t r u i r l a c a p a r a z o h c l a s i c a de l a novela se presenta no b a j o l a f o r m a d e l i d i o m a l u j o s o como el de Garcia Mcfrquez, por e j e m p l o , no b a j o l a forma de una ideoiogla o un p l a n t e a m i e n t o de V a r g a s Llosa; se plantea b a j o e l modo d e l p u n t o de v i s t a . E l punto de vista es el gran elemento para e x p l o r a r y hacer y r e h a c e r y d e s h a c e r l a ^ e s c r i t u r a de una n o v e l a . En mis primeros ensayos tenia que u s a r e l p u n t o de vista mas proximo: el Yo, del a u t o r . Se u n i f i c a l a literatura con la autobiograffa. Es un c o m i e n z o . De Oste, ochocientas m i l formas. Del yo, primera persona, puedo construir l a s mas i n c r e i b l e s v a r i e d a d e s de p u n t o de vista. La ultima novela, S I o b s c e n o pa/jaro de l a noche , es un e j e r c i c i o en p u n t o de v i s t a ; es e l metodo de una cosa ya c o m p l e t a m e n t e b a r r o c a . Es e l p u n t o de vista desarrollado, exacerbado, ldcido, implicado, j u g a n d o en t o d a s l a s posibilidades.8 Henry portrayal James of saw the the devious novelist elusiveness - 136 - as of a poet and i n el Mudito's Donoso's m i n d , we find the delight in imagination to methods El in intractable v?ith of - total unusual obsceno and the creative Hudito's consciousness structure of place one labyrinthine El psychofiction can at the and the concretely metaphor In an point the of of to that is The life the of inextricably tied relationships narrative la in noche of his the structure four main the on la of the maze of labyrinth the of el narrative sense of narrative Chimba is the and becomes the novel. interior narrative verge between Chilean de the dealing the the novel collage is . Donoso's Encarnacidn in artistic express interior point aspects biographical the of Azcoitia relationship Ine's-Peta; de la create a basic Penaloza, of the the monologue bases which memories, v/hich we are dreams, the reader follow. There Mudito. relationship kaleidoscopic v/hich to m a t e r i a l he c l a r i f y e l Mudito's his able the element are Donoso's schizophrenic focal de are the and labyrinthine there of uses the Casa out that noche inspires aging pajaro described the an v/hich invention. la central to hallucinations, Humberto as attempt origin attempts de Casa obsceno of of character Donoso and main p^iaro mental d e l i r i u m of decrepit most flight elusive collapse. is exploration first and second There are and servant: by - 137 the - life of becoming el base v/hich a series is of is with the equally symbiotic Ines-Humberto; e t c . The offshoot the inextricably narrative Azcoitia Humberto-Jerdnimo, constituted before intertwined Ine*s master. describing e l Mudito The Peta Ponce. between is is family. Peta-Humberto; block of Humberto Jerdnimo to "I" thread of third this basic symbiotic master-servant created for thread is asylum for interweaving, him the few It hallucination milagroso". a full live These the of the to become has Casa with had a l l restrospect These an its and the t i m e . So narrative so of the many is up at crones the the Mudito and which what the him or to or of by The at have the "el its Ine*s at the bags and a creature that From this perspective of conclusion. mentioned is for burlap novel's to servants and witches). believes nino complete novel book is themselves reject the former the imbunche shut What creates and the into reader accept are sewn or the de A z c o i t i a comes is we her. Ines of evident else Mudito an of i n t e r r e l a t e d and length past. Chimba, servants Gigante who (the his el world narrative Encarnacion beginning sewn someone to critics is attention no taken visible then are the basic ancient el and are or someone really amazing is what they that the themselves else happens the see in at the insistence as the facts novel. What and is has evokes characters sometimes same old orifices only the that blocks "imbunche" e l Mudito is Casa the el and Boy fourth la aristocratic P e t a was into confinement of It de Mateluna, the conclusion, transformed the The Casa orphans narrative when what the Iris aristocracy. novel's of in about monstruous Rinconada. stray is circle at la story a aristocracy. in the point Donoso subplots, also is amazing held in trying incorporates each one long in capable is the after to it has become figure out what the of fact novel creating - 13G - a reader's obvious is really number a sense of of interest that there happening. fascinating anticipation of discovery: has the sexual Gigante; the the world of whose flair old her; priest who and man who w i l l who pov/erful her legend of wanders and in mask "nina bruja through the Ine's and el girl's to keep creates illiterate millionaire who of this determined the a the of the p o l i t i c i a n who naked marriage are son; makes wear believe b i r t h and monstruous the L o l l o b r i g i d a orphan a servant and whose santa"; the convent; the Jeronimo and many, period from more. narrative approximately Allende). The last of year funeral and funeral). really I to of the 1970 (based actual or and to him to useful insights into Donoso's Coronacion El motives, , Este takes chapter events Donoso. be authors. e f f o r t but familiar first one his the process to requires of events to Verdun in begins year past of place and the and the with after the a this novel retrospective memory. contemporary reader a references reimagines of noche The the refers partial consider of the deformation covers on t h e (as e l Mudito p r o j e c t i o n of rewarding life subsequently clearly novel narration e l Mudito's the am written 1915 Humberto delirious the any virgin business for the Gina women his courtship The is and for for v/orks ritualized many old wealthy freaks mistress Iris, with senile conception secret; senile of intercourse immaculate it story domingo also one of narrative - 139 - everything he has fascinating and obsceno panaro de la as well as finds many of pleasure development. pajaro lugar El sheer characters , El like t h e most Reading provides obsceno I de and sin la noche language limites , and that El make obsceno pajaro de la narrative deca'y and cycle. and a Donoso's whose de la desdentadas" enfermas, noche en de is peopled no "ojos esta confunden In each world by se is (page condenada, quejan y the El de of obsceno familiar "entre "bocas estas viejas imbeciles, de v e r d u g o s frio one characters portrayed. rodeada tienen linguistic pathetic 24) de a b a n d o n a d a s , and consistently aging, graphically leganbsos" Casa y is thematic e x c e p t i o n . We f i n d miserables, se cohesive fictional decrepitude and decrepitas, que such disintegration places pajaro noche y y hambre de victimas . . . " (p. 29) that of the symbiotic and novel rich and p o o r , relationships. develops Ines, we h a v e this Jeronimb, seen that El of masters obsceno persistent Humberto, the presentation Peta and p/jaro motive two servants de again, of la worlds, and noche their explores particularly in the symbiosis: Usted sabe que l o s s i r v i e n t e s se quedan con una p a r t e de sus patrones, s i s a b e , como no l o v a a s a b e r s i y o me quede' con l o p r i n c i p a l s u y o c u a n d o u s t e d me t u v o a sueldo como t e s t i g o de su d i c h a . . . . No e r a n c a p a c e s de vivir sin la presencia de mi mirada envidiosa c r e a n d o s u f e l i c i d a d . . . ( p . 84) . . jama's, p o r n i n g u n m o t i v o , l a i b a a s e p a r a r de l a Peta Ponce. Desde e s a n o c h e J e r o n i m o e Ine*s j a m a s h a n e s t a d o s o l o s en e l l e c h o c o n y u g a l . ( p p . 1 8 6 - 1 8 7 ) The motive of consistently through de and the la la noche demonic mascara demonio, motive its men w e a r descomunal, . Donoso's and Donoso's reaches mask muneco in masks . fiction height to (p. fiction, - make the love to pecosa, 89)], the 140 dominates in colorada, . disguises El subplot Iris de emphasizing substitution - which also runs obsceno of el p/jaro Gigante, Mateluna [ payaso, titere, another frequent of . identity . . in sexual relationships. de noche la attraction are to Sexual based the relationships on the in El substitution obsceno of pajaro identity, the mask: . . en e s a s t i n i e b l a s y o p u e d o no h a b e r dado m i amor a Ines sino a otra a la P e t a , a l a P e t a P o n c e que sustituyo a Ines por ser ella la pareja que me corresponde . . . en e l momento d e l o r g a s m o e l l a g r i t d ' : J e r d h i m o . Y y o g r i t e * : I n e ' s . ( p . 224) Masks are one obsceno pajaro defined autonomous encuentra from dura Coleman el Ifmites , signs their of The they identity: ". . yo terrifying pajaro mutually is archetypal devil, the manana uno es la noche identity. In what aspects one one of a no me que es reveal the Alexander the world dualities of virgin-prostitutes, a n o t h e r , v/hich another. travesty the El characters doubleness", presents of lo fictional de of in illusion y porque saint-witch, demonic imagery again present in obsceno is recurrent \'le f i n d the yo Donoso's noche v/orld o f destruction As where in El coexist lugar sin " a l l objects are opposites",9 significance myths. hoy pa'jaro excluding the level overall la interrelated this of de . confusion male-female, novels body 155) personal previous a (p. of destroy me e n c u e n t r o of recurrent of mismo nature as than as disfraz." "a theme noche obsceno master-servant, rather the El obsceno God-devil, of to calls El la ni Coronacion fragmentary of de nadie mientras aspect the El demonic v / h i c h v/e o u t l i n e d and structure of four dogs, labyrinth, 141 which the sterility - to the p a j a r o de l a n o c h e imagery black vital novel a demonic and - is in Donoso's archetypal . There clearly part based on of the biblical yellow bitch, impotence, is darkness a she and night, the perhaps "nino the milagroso". demonic image associations together into epigraph of the book. In portrays the b i r d James Sr's image in of terms the eroticism, malevolence death. obsceno El Bosch's woman hell of the "Garden is on the characterizes the for the de links the unit of as l a noche" of which la night fall is noche is In a modern both s a l v a t i o n . The El rich painting, demonic. obsceno in a For title and use a constant from paradise of of the resumes of the Eenry aura of reminder of version of world, earthly chaos, exuberant archetypal Bosch artists' into pajaro is series Earthly Delights", Delights". infuses quality to bird de hope p/jaro l a s c i v i t y and D o n o s o ' s obscene the Bosch's erotic allied "Garden of Earthly writing plastic his best cohesive and n i g h t e a r t h , w i t h no Donoso's same cause "obsceno that a pajaro of The de la lyricism noche symbolism with that supernatural presentation of example: quedamos en la o s c u r i d a d t o t a l , q u i z a * n o ha habido nunca ojos contemplandonos y todo haya s i d o siempre oscuro, no, a h i estah l o s ojos a m a r i l l o s , soy yo o t r a v e z , t e d e s e o mas q u e n u n c a a h o r a p o r q u e s e * q u e esta's cansada y porque yo estoy cansado, esos ojos amarillos y legalfdsos ven como te penetro, como revives, l o s o j o s l e g a * n o s o s c e r c a d e l o s n u e s t r o s , ma's, mas, h a s t a q u e Trie's l a n z d e l g r i t o f i n a l , M a d r e B e n i t a , que no fue solo un grito de p l a c e r s i n o tambie'n un grito de terror, porque a l a b r i r los ojos para ver l a constelacidh de miradas relucientes de los testigos alrededor del rostro de Jerdnimo, vio a la perra amarilla que se a c e r c d ' a h u s m e a r l o s o a l a m e r l o s j u g o s que sus cuerpos dejaron sobre las hojas: la perra amarilla, acezante, babosa, cubierta de granos y verrugas, el hambre i n s c r i t a en l a m i r a d a , e l l a , d u e n a d e l poder p a r a p r o v o c a r e l g r i t o . (pp. 193-194) As Martin Stabb summarizes: . for him the e r o t i c i s a dark f o r c e , t i n g e d w i t h the satanic and l e a d i n g o n l y t o o b s e s s i v e d e s i r e and a fruitless quest f o r p l e a s u r e or r e l e a s e . . . . we k n o w that b e h i n d t h e masks o f e v e r y d a y e x i s t e n c e t h e r e l u r k s - 142 - a world of elemental f e a r , of implacable d e s t r u c t i v e power, of crippling impotence and of gnawing, unsatisfied lust. In short, the erotic is clearly a defining characteristic of t h a t obscene n i g h t b i r d . . . 10 Donoso's aristocracy real illustrates emotions description marriage the the (e.g. narrator system and should be as and a - The Sacred should seen and which the ritualized to aware should see it is of each requires Donoso uses For an As in subtleties in this other use that of of the and treatment Henry of accepted of James's element the constantly the for courtship ritualized as the the essential the the is his of example, imaginative aristocracy. ), world camouflage Chile, Donoso's the Fount social surface. participants always image of of be the the return typical routines that game cover is the elaborate below Jeronimo's Ines rituals of the lurking of to fiction in descriptions that social society involved appearances "medallon": Las reglas y las formulas, e l r i t u a l tan f i j o y tan estilizado como l o s s i m b o l o s de l a h e r a l d i c a , que i b a n regulando e l p r o c e s o d e l n o v i a z g o , i n s c r i b i a n su p r o p i a figura y la d e I n e ' s , e n t r e l a z a d a s como i b a n d e b a j o de los arboles cargados de f r u t a , como en un m e d a l l o h de piedra: este medallon no era mas que una e t a p a d e l friso e t e r n o c o m p u e s t o s p o r muchos m e d a l l o n e s , y e l l o s , los novios, encarnaciones momentaneas de designios mucho ma's vastos que los d e t a l l e s de sus sicologias individuales. El cuerpo y e l a l m a de Ine's, i n t a c t o s , esperaban que e'l l a a n i m a r a p a r a s a c a r l a de ese p r i m e r medallon y hacerla ingresar en la suntuosidad del m e d a l l d n s i g u i e n t e . ( p . 179) Routines acceptable and pattern raw e m o t i o n s of underneath Donoso's moments rituals where writing the in decorum which superficial in plastic El the is - 143 - an elaborate provide cover an for the noche has appearance. obsceno visual aristocracy paiaro impact is de on la a poetic, lyric, sensual level reminiscent of Proustian passages: Un diamante azul se e n c i e n d e e n t r e l o s m a t o r r a l e s d e l parque, s e a p a g a y v u e l v e a e n c e n d e r s e d o r a d o ma's a l i a " , titila ma's a c c f y s e a p a g a o t r a v e z y e n t r e e s o s m a c i z o s de plantas oscuras nacen mas f u l g o r e s que nos e s t a l i mirando a t i y a mi que d e s a p a r e c e n , j o y a s , astros, ojos, f u l g o r que d i s i m u l a n l a s h o j a s , v u e l v e a a p a r e c e r multiplicandose, desvanecidndose, pasecfhdose e n t r e l o s arbustos oscuros, no al a c e c h o s i n o que v i g i l a " h d o n o s porque son los ojos de mis p e r r o s vagando e n t r e l a s hortensias, lentos ahora, rojo, rosa, atentos, a l i a " s e extinguieron esos dos ojos de acero que ahora se encienden ma's cerca . aqui, entre los matorrales a l pie mismo del corredor donde tii y yo estamos tendidos, centellas fixas en la l i n e a d e c l a r i d a d f i n a como e l canto de una h o j a que i n s i n u a t u p e r f i l p e r f e c t o . (p. 191) In a the novel, different context) multifaceted : In El exaustive obsceno obliterated. magnifying a glass demonic structural system similar in It for to previous alienation of individual are El paiaro obsceno "lupa" (in detailed apreciar de la la and noche suntuosidad noche we w i t n e s s of a detailed r e a l i t y being the n a r r a t i v e that and the seen distorts, is which provides negated, narrator through the the and the culmination archetypal novel. this and archetypal El obsceno The Donoso's - 144 - the system Donoso pajaro elements absurdity consciousness, to structure, psychoanalytical novels. human basic the process characterization in existential the la grotesquely the the 210) negated, a of describes the process is metaphor para apocalyptic obsession basis of de of which Subordinate his (p. pajaro i d e n t i t y being in lupa detalles." presentation individual being sus con the best richness mirarlas de uses which linguistic " maniatica of e l Mudito of de as la in noche those existence, loneliness of uses of , found the the characterization, while psychoanalysis unconscious images, of layers dreams, of of Biographical, integrated into structure incorporated interior repressed obsceno in the r e a l i t y , the desires existential El which is exploration subterranean and m o r b i d de reveals organizes and best writing, as we la elements noche's the flow of fantasies. and p s y c h o a n a l y t i c a l pajaro of are archetypal dominant theme of destruction. In Donoso's Bible as provide myth, the provides from c r e a t i o n ' to In El biblical of archetypal myths pa'jaro again de the de la fulfills la noche archetypal noche an is a structure, i n man's as Donoso's we a r e v/hich in the the v/orld of The perception reality la of confusion, la muerte. is woman incarnated Mudito's . who in . of The el the Bible, extending Peta essence eternal f a l l . constantly terms of In the of self d e s t r u c t i o n o f symbolized desorden, cause del of the the by una the 145 fall. of 161)]. The archetypal - of which the image novel death, images of the grotesque infernal Boy [" Once of . peor again the o l d v/oman i s , destruction is an forma d i s t i n t a pero (p. imagery forest" monstruous chaos" element - those the El group, of "unsubdued are role. faced with chaos, images of demonic the Ponce, consciousness, where the thematic parody structural to versidn the demonic leads demonic . esta is In novel caricature.il era ones destruction. we f i n d epigraph, preceding the novel apocalyptic destruction decrepitude, symbols structure essential again 'in the l i t e r a r y archetypes. a synthesizing obsceno underscores grammar seen, apocalypse. pajaro obsceno main have behind . . que it witch in el every event [ ". . implacable, . la puedo confundir dejas en p a s " as in " cercania de 224); . que ". encontrarcf oire' y . el la muerte que . l a P e t a no ha . . but In cyclical of is parallel the past. alternance owner of the la engulfing, ha venido the Humberto of me no of order castrating sexo nuevo" porque l a Peta no rabia despue's de cerrarme sinister is (p. lo de mother la . en m f rugido witch. which que agusanado por is que no los not the Peta Ponce, the the novel. Peta throughout the la a buscar archetypal eternal ma's porque destroyer vieja, parte The Casa, to is with lugar between de la a sin noche within it "mundo the del very is de la already his revel", essence of mythic noche black as is dogs, is and presents malevolent and benevolent creator - 146 of the La Rinconada, - circular on of to lost earth. reminiscent same of ambiguous d e i t y . Be the of , and parallel a novel hell the perception the present limites the emphasizes r e p e t i t i v e and present four Donoso a the present, pajaro future Jeronimo, the otra destroyer, obsceno El an t r a g a r a ^ su generations future in se pajaro the Alejo the despertare^ irrationality the Don no 299) . is Don as lasciva la novel. nature and de d i s t i n g u i r . vieja as robar, (p. obsceno El . peligrosa, d e v o r d ' mi m a r a v i l l o s o a Time illusions de buscar haunts of the El sexo eternal sorcerer embodiment in and Yo definitely the . novels noche ." witch, is existence a mas dificil vieja quiere buscado. La mas la Woman f u n c t i o n s previous ira' archetypal Ponce 84)]. la fue se virgin time. cualquier nada. pantalones the con . siempre Ponce, feroz, (p. . Peta ma's Donoso's menace: la is employer the of Humberto Penaloza, politician. "As for creates whom h e where only In , the _E_1 this God their as nuestro milagroso obliteration the culmination courses of Mudito moves to of of nothingness. It full with circle to Coronaciori Madness and fragile noche is novel moves total w i t h no El of Donoso's narrative novels as El to if to illusion order pcTjaro de obsessions. cycle of thematic of la of cielo no . of . ." of la is in the the state Casa . . 128)]. novel la noche the el total reduced has completed and to the v/hich A n d r e s the cosmic in madness. alternatives entropic a only that of is is obsceno . characters' de noche only El [" the destruction, de of the (p. fictional narrative hope Jesus pajaro collapses. unstructural - iTmites sin crones substance are of lugar character join chaos apotheosis possibility old obsceno as La Rinconada leaves previous pajaro follow: an El parody destruction to final in the main son enter. as Donoso's obsceno of can ultimate inexorable towards obsceno El abdication the the consciousness escape chose of as - llevara'al the seems paradise twisted nos In towards of that Donoso's destruction. disintegration solution of a powerful a monstruous organization baby a produced l a noche is ashes landowner, has parody de que a l l he monsters The Saviour The wealthy archetypal redemption. hijo a Father" p/iaro demonic await the "noble" obsceno or is a demonic most salvation the he pajaro process equilibrium when de as la the that is regeneration. noche is, in a way, a summation It constitutes a grand fiction constituted by Donoso's development and - 147 - narrative finale technique of all to the first evolve four in conjunction violence, in a its great to we final ashes, lyrical of and have are destruction. in El apocalyptic reduced dust beauty grotesque followed resolution biblical the narrator "ashes decay v/hich typically and crescendo death, destruction reaches a and to to dust" - The main throughout obsceno climax ashes distortion, and another pajaro theme Donoso's de la i n v/hich t h e dispersed Donosian madness, in of work noche in narrative the wind final scene of intensity: El viento dispersa e l humo y l o s o l o r e s y l a v i e j a s e acurruca sobre las p i e d r a s p a r a d o r m i r . E l fuego arde un rato j u n t o a l a f i g u r a a b a n d o n a d a como o t r o p a q u e t e ma's de harapos, luego comienza a apagarse, e l rescoldo a atenuarse y se agota cubriehdose de ceniza muy liviana, que el viento dispersa. En unos cuantos minutos n o q u e d a n a d a d e b a j o d e l p u e n t e . S<5io l a m a n c h a negra que el fuego dejd* en las p i e d r a s y un t a r r o negruzco con asa de alambres. El viento lo vuelca, r u e d a p o r l a s p i e d r a s y c a e a l r f o . ( p . 543) - 148 - Chapter All quotes edition published 1. de Emir Revista 1971, p . Five Motes from El obsceno pa-jaro by S e i x B a r r a l , B a r c e l o n a , de la 1970. noche refer to "JosO D o n o s o : L a n o v e l a como ' h a p p e n i n g ' . Una e n t r e v i s t a R o d r i g u e z M o n e g a l s o b r e E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a n o c h e " , Iberoamericana , No. 76-77, P i t t s b u r g h , July-December 530. 2. Luis Llosa, "Una v i s i o n e n f e r m a d e l mundo. novelista chileno Josi Donoso", El Comercio , N o v e m b e r 19, 1970, p . 40. 3. Jose D o n o s o , 2, S a n t i a g o , N o v e m b e r 4. D o n o s o , "Del "Del monstruo a l 1972, p p . 3-4. monstruo al pajaro", pajaro", p. Reportage a l Lima, Peru, Ouinta Rueda , No. 3-4. 5. For example: Pamela B a c a r i s s e , " E l obsceno p a j a r o de l a noche: A W i l l e d Process of Evasion" i n Contemporary L a t i n a m e r i c a n Fiction (Edinburgh: Scottish A c a d e m i c P r e s s , 1 9 8 0 ) , p p . 18-32; Alicia Borinsky, "Repeticiones y m a s c a r a s : E l o b s c e n o p c t j a r o de la noche", Modern Language Notes , 88, N o . 2, M a r c h 1973, p p . 281-293; John C a v i g l i a , " T r a d i t i o n and M o n s t r o s i t y i n E l o b s c e n o pa'jaro de l a n o c h e " , PMLA , 93, J a n u a r y 1978, p p . 33-45; A n t o n i o Cornejo Polar, " E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a n o c h e : l a r e v e r s i b i l i d a d de la metcffora", in Jose Donoso. la d e s t r u c c i o n de un mundo (Buenos Aires: Fernando Garcia Cambeiro, 1975) pp. 101-112; Eduardo Chamorro, "Del e s f u e r z o i m a g i n a t i v o a l a s t r a i c i o n e s de las transcripciones: El obsceno p a j a r o de l a n o c h e " , T r i u n f o , No. 456, February 27, 1961; Ariel Dorfman, "Hotas para^. un analisis marxista de l a n a r r a t i v a c h i l e n a de l o s u l t i m o s anbs", Casa d e las A m e r i c a s , N o . 69, N o v e m b e r - D e c e m b e r 1961, p p . 65-83; Zunilda Gertel, "Metamorphosis as a Metaphor of the W o r l d " , Review , Fall 1973, p p . 20-23; C e d o m i l G o i c , " E l n a r r a d o r e n e l laberinto", in J o s e f D o n o s o , l a d e s t r u c c i d n d e u n mundo , ( B u e n o s Aires: F e r n a n d o G a r c f a C a m b e i r o , 1975) p p . 113-124; A n i t a M u l l e r , "La diale'ctica de l a r e a l i d a d en E l o b s c e n o p a ' j a r o de l a n o c h e " , Nueva Narrativa Hipanoamericana , I, H o . 2, S e p t e m b e r 1971, p p . 133-138; Charles Tatum, "El obsceno pajaro d e , l a n o c h e : The Demise o f F e u d a l S o c i e t y " , L a t i n a m e r i c a n L i t e r a r y R e v i e w , I, No. 2, Spring 1973, pp. 99-103; F r a n c e s W e b e r , " L a dinefmica de l a alegorfa: El obsceno pajaro de la noche de Jose Donoso", H i s p a m e r i c a , I V , N o s . 11-12, 1975, p p . 23-31. 6. Alexander Coleman, - 149 "Some - Thoughts on Donoso's Traditionalism", 157. Fall 7. John 1973, p. Studies Hasset, 28. in Short "The Fiction Obscure Bird , VIII, of the Winter Night", 1971, p. Review , 8. Guillermo Castillo, " A r t i s t s and A u t h o r s : J o s e ' D o n o s o y su ultima novela (Extractos de una e n t r e v i s t a a Jose''Donoso a fines de d i c i e m b r e de 1 9 7 0 , en V a l l v i d r e r a ) " , H i s p a n l a , L I V , No. 4, December 1 9 7 1 , p. 959. 9. Coleman, p. 158; Hasset, p. 29. 10. Martin Stabb, "The E r o t i c Mask: New N o v e l " , S y m p o s f u m , X X X , N o . 3 , Summer Notes 1976, on Donoso p . 17 8 . and the 11. "Every man who h a s r e a c h e d e v e n h i s i n t e l l e c t u a l t e e n s begins to suspect t h a t l i f e i s no f a r c e ; t h a t i t i s n o t g e n t e e l comedy even; that i t f l o w e r s and f r u c t i f i e s on t h e c o n t r a r y o u t of t h e p r o f o u n d e s t t r a g i c d e p t h s o f t h e e s s e n t i a l d e a r t h i n v/hich its subject's roots are plunged. The natural i n h e r i t a n c e of everyone v/ho i s c a p a b l e o f s p i r i t u a l l i f e i s an unsubdued forest where the wolf howls and the obscene b i r d of night c h a t t e r s . " Henry James Sr,. v / r i t i n g t o h i s s o n s Henry and W i l l i a m , e p i g r a p h t o E l o b s c e n o p a j a r o de l a n o c h e - 150 - Conclus ion The clear four novels influences Donoso's of Donoso from Faulkner, cosmopolitan, style which noche impossible Chilean. evolves Yet representative authors, a that wide from v/e h a v e Proust, ranging Coronacion categorize as these influences and some o f group to the to El have James obsceno literary Donoso revealed and influences Kafka. make pajaro authentically greatest which Joyce, literary to of studied and the de uniquely ascendences contemporary la are Latinamerican d e f i n i t e l y belongs. Donoso's r education at European He for avoided any develop He h a s r e a l i t y and of the approach his of valid has used flights and satire, own disintegration. to his the his use total novels of where level. he has consistently involvement well-defined world which talent and archetypal version four destruction studied, a imagination, particular first ideological with current is the or and starting fiction.. great of Donoso's towards the tv/enty y e a r s . or and literary Europe man is life in a his inexorably past exile however, any surrealism self-imposed the nomadic international He point spectacular an intellectual vision Donoso of in h i m on his direct original for school, place remains most affiliation. In English residency presently lived an and v/e h a v e - 151 - his affinity demonic of novels creativity, the portray his with structure literature a world to of moving chaos. seen a series of characters whose lives are destroyed sexuality present bourgeois society. rigid under and when repressed the are unable to repressive psychic Donoso's communicate, which condemned to by the is largely fall structural as of and D o n o s o ' s element Donoso's the language at personal obsessions Of clearly the the Donoso's theme of previous novels is dissolution glory great and of of These Donoso man v/e h a v e for is and destroyed society the which novels is myth, of past it essential undoubtedly people. bleak Yet his imagination and r e a l i z a t i o n v/hich c r e a t e s his a studied. most consciousness, is myths is a inexorably bourgeois myths by portrays is biblical these and characters spiritual and cycle masks a disintegration civilization depressing a transformation experiences the of and his inner reality. ambitious, destruction into of of emotional, This the in stifled v/hich of evolve isolated, human c o n d i t i o n studied, resolved erupt. emotion. aesthetic into most order Christian the novels in narrative imaginative four mental, inversion centre dominant the the the of Donoso's into false and p r o b a b l y affirms sensation. of view pessimistic sensations by a play to and conventional that condemned are and instincts sustained are but disintegration. man the are they and violence conformist, instincts suffer alienates emergence cultivates prose They fragmentation society and characters of of the relationships system forces society. emotions, surface complex social disguises the the The hierarchical by in El obsceno complex v/hich El nothingness, - 152 and - pajaro ashes de la successful Donoso obsceno the pajaro of book. explores de the la noche is The in the noche with fire that the wind silently all of Donoso's fictional El world coherent pa'jaro novelistic earlier. increase in It complexity Donoso's point El obsceno appear construction noche . pajaro fully increased use of chronology, the multiple narrators develops in obsceno ,• a pajaro change of subsequent unrelated la literary to to El the reality. the culmination v/hich n a r r a t i v e in design. la with from the , the three increasingly completed in El obsceno points incorporation narrative of noche particular is de Chilean and scenario of la the Donoso ambiguity. noche de ambiguity which after inevitable. la complex view, the completed, becomes pcfjaro myth, vantage pajaro of elements complexity a cycle expression of the preceding an shifting the techniques of of of thirteen conjunction Viev/ed noche of complete elements are obsceno realization enclosed, inner is in de progression de self creativity thematic is literary began w i t h C o r o n a c i o n process formulative which The abolition of as a noche which and the ambiguous la a is into but de is of novels novel process expansion of The obsessions of obsceno creative years disperses. With El v/hich a The novels explore themes the four novels studied. We used have in studied Donoso's psychoanalytical structure largely of fiction. concepts elements The the development determine the great oniric c y c l e . We h a v e elements, of seen the of unity repeated - an consistently existential overall persistent penetration - 153 of into thematic the v/hich a r e use integrated involve narrative the a series and archetypal motives in Donoso's which Chilean use and development into the minds' of psychic flow, the of loss of the eruption alienation the and archetypal of innocence The theme of primitive existential engulfing and of the cycle. is revealed by novels destruction, pajaro de of la Donoso's resonance who and once y realidad: para como It in succeeded. achieved His this que an si del female, masks, of individuals, the archetypal is this In myth that su of and it each of novel. inexorable sense provide Bl obsceno novels Marquez "una novela su contenido penetracidh la with Garcia be por de de v o l t e a r his by would inquiete poder in v/ork. achieved novel solo capaz otro structure fall. and link each . n a r r a t i v e doom, ideal es of important impending to por latter of isolated most apocalyptic no sino creation recognition axis of the aun es the archetypal similar libre, mostrar the archetype that y mejor is of social, is eternal truly scope said absolutamente politico is use is books man's noche It the are of castrating destruction narrative Donoso's anguish v/hich d e s t r o y fall. Donoso's best and forces realidad al en la r eves' lado."l part that profoundly universal original stature. > - 154 Donoso has - most and has brilliantly deservedly Conclusion notes 1. Cited by M. Fernandez Braso, Ma^rguez ( M e x i c o : n . p . 1 9 7 1 ) p . 3 5 1 . - 155 La - soledad de G a b r i e l Garcia Bibliography Primary Sources Novels Donoso, Jose. CoronaciOh _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Z i g - Z a g , 1966. Este El Mortiz, - - Seix . Santiago: domingo lugar . sin Santiago: limites 1957. Editorial . Mexico: la noche Joaquin 1966. - -. E l obsceno Barcelona: Editorial B a r r a l , 1970. Short D o n o s o , Jose. Veraneo y otros Universitaria, 1955. Barral, Nascimiento, 1971. Cuentos p a j a r o de . Stories cuentos . Santiago: Editorial . Barcelona: Editorial Seix Autobiography Donoso, Jose'. Editorial - - Historia personal Anagrama, 1972. - - - - - - - _ . 12-20. del "Chronology". Secondary Achugar, 'boom' Review . Barcelona: , No. 9 (1973), pp. sources Hugo. 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