Being Nothing and Nobody Nowhere is When Writing Starts

A medio borrar as a Fictionalized Autopoesis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24029/lejana.2019.12.397

Keywords:

Juan José Saer, poetics, self-destruction, autonomy, perception and representation, narrative identity

Abstract

This paper aims to explore some aesthetic traits of fictionalization in the short novel A medio borrar by the Argentinian author Juan José Saer. By means of examining its main thematic elements and identifying their corresponding narrative techniques, the short novel will emerge as a fictional showcase of the creative principles that govern Saer when is comes to the “art of narration”. The first part of this paper elaborates on the thematization of the poetics of self-destruction and traces the steps that will lead to a completely annuled consciousness, articulated as a prerequisite of authentic writing. In the second section, I examine elements that demonstrate Saer’s conviction as for his negation of the autonomy of the literary work per se. In the last part I intend to analyze the narrative techniques Saer uses to expose and resolve his artistic dilemma about perception and the impossibility of representing reality.

References

BIANCHINI, Federico: “Saer y sus delicias breves”. La Nación, 12 de julio de 2017, disponible en línea: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/lifestyle/saer-y-sus-delicias-breves-nid2045212 (última consulta 07/26/2019)

LITVAN, Valentina: “«A medio borrar» en el origen: de Saer a Saer”. Cuadernos LIRICO 6 (2011): 143-158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/lirico.219

MERLEAU-PONTY, Maurice (2005): Phenomenology of Perception. Trad. Colin Smith. London – New York: Routledge Classics (e-book).

PREMAT, Julio: “La zona anegada. Notas sobre A medio borrar de Juan José Saer”. América. Cahiers du CRICCAL XVIII/1 (1997): 269-279. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3406/ameri.1997.1263

SAER, Juan José (2014): “La perspectiva exterior. Gombrowicz en la Argentina”. El concepto de ficción. Buenos Aires, Seix Barral: 17-29.

SAER, Juan José (2012): “Onetti y la novela breve”. En Juan Carlos Onetti: Novelas breves. Buenos Aires: Eterna Cadencia, 9-16.

SAER, Juan José (2001): A medio borrar. En cuentos Completos (1957-2000). Buenos Aires: Seix Barral, 145-174.

SARLO, Beatriz: “Narrar la percepción”. Crítica Cultural V/2 (2010): 309-313. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.19177/rcc.v5e22010309-313

Published

2019-10-30

How to Cite

Spisák, J. “Being Nothing and Nobody Nowhere Is When Writing Starts: A Medio Borrar As a Fictionalized Autopoesis”. Lejana. Revista Crítica De Narrativa Breve, no. 12, Oct. 2019, pp. 59-68, doi:10.24029/lejana.2019.12.397.