Confronting Discursive Hegemony: The Problematization of Argentine Cultural Identity in Los suicidas del fin del mundo (2005), by Leila Guerriero, and Viajera crónica (2011), by Hebe Uhart

Abstract

This paper presents a joint study of two volumes of contemporary Argentine crónicas: Los suicidas del fin del mundo (2005), by Leila Guerriero, and Viajera crónica (2011), by Hebe Uhart. It argues that both authors adopt a “political commitment” (Caparrós 2008) by challenging the homogenizing hegemonic discourses about Argentine cultural identity through a dialogic narrative (Bakhtin 1986) which problematizes its complexities and contrasts, exposing the tensions between centers and peripheries. Overall, it examines how these books contest dominant perspectives by depicting socio-political dynamics (Guerriero) and linguistic practices (Uhart) utilizing three intertwined types of discourse: a) the chronicler’s gaze and first hand observations, b) written documented sources, and c) people’s testimonies recovered from real life interactions.

Keywords

• Guerriero – Uhart – crónica – Argentina – cultural identity – center and periphery