Si te he visto no me acuerdo - La fiesta del monstruo por Horacio González

Political Narratives in Borges' Work

Analysis of "La Fiesta del Monstruo"

• The discussion begins with the mention of "La Fiesta del Monstruo," a political story co-written by Borges and Casares, highlighting its strong themes of racism reflective of the era.

• The speaker reminisces about shared meals among friends, illustrating a sense of camaraderie and nostalgia for modern youth from various Argentine neighborhoods.

Borges and Peronism

• The relationship between Borges and Peronism is introduced as a significant cultural antagonism in Argentina, referencing David Viñas' critical work on this topic.

• Various interpretations exist regarding Borges’ views on Perón, including Norberto Galo's recent book that explicitly values Borges' stance against Peronism.

Cultural Reflections

• Casares’ memoir is noted as an extensive chronicle of Argentine culture, where Borges perceives Peronism as a formidable challenge to his literary identity.

• A specific poem by Borges is mentioned that reflects on barbarity, suggesting an underlying critique of societal issues during his time.

Critique of Peronism

• The speaker discusses why Borges condemned Peronism as a form of barbarity characterized by poor taste and lack of linguistic finesse.

• It’s argued that Borges’ literature could not align with the loudness and activism associated with Peronist ideology.

Complex Relationship with Literature

• The narrative shifts to explore how difficult it is to define Borges' true relationship with Peronism due to its subtle presence in his works alongside overt condemnation.

• "La Fiesta del Monstruo" serves as an example where Casares portrays the peronista negatively, likening them to historical oppressors depicted in Cheverría's works.

Personal Reflections on Reading Borges

• The speaker reflects on their own experiences reading Borges clandestinely during their youth as a militant peronista in the 60s.

• They note that despite being viewed unfavorably within certain circles, many prominent figures later recognized the value of Borges’ contributions to literature.

Legacy and Reclamation

• There’s acknowledgment that both anti-peronist and peronist readers have played roles in reclaiming Borges’ legacy within Argentine literature.