Abstract

MARTINEZ, Alfredo Rosas. The Mythification of Santa Maria in La Vida Breve, by Juan Carlos Onetti. Lit. teor. hist. crit. [online]. 2022, vol.24, n.1, pp.209-235.  Epub Mar 09, 2022. ISSN 0123-5931.  https://doi.org/10.15446/lthc.v24n1.98439.

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that in the novel La vida breve, by Juan Carlos Onetti, the city of Santa Maria is created and mythologized based on a mythical setting in relation to the symbol, the myth, and the archetype. Tis situation is part of the ancient and archaic tradition related to the creation an mythification of a city by means of a rite, as if it were the setting of a mystery in a sacred space and time in a scene. As for the space, the design is based on the geometric figure or the square; in addition, it consists of the notion of center as axis mundi. In relation to time, the founding of the city must take place on a special date. Furthermore, in the novel is the myth of the passion of Christ, where the presence of the Virgin Mary is essential. The city created by Onetti is a city of sinners. The Virgin is invoked as a protective mother. In this element of the mythical decoration of the city, the images of the mother of Christ and that of Santa Rosa Maria de Lima merge.

Keywords : city; space; La vida breve; mythification; novel; Onetti; Santa María.

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