La argentinidad en la obra de Roberto J. Payró

Abstract

One of the constant leitmotivs of Argentinean literature is considered to be searching for its national identity. Roberto J.Payró (1867-1928), Argentinean novelist and dramatist, tries to recognize allegiance to Argentinean customs and aspirations in his characters. He is the first author whose main hero, gaucho-picaro, experiences his stories in a city, sometimes even close to the political scene. Gaucho himself seems to be a contentious character of modern La Plata´s literature of 20th century. Payró´s heroes represent different types, they wear their “masks” and in Anderson Imbert´s opinion they belong to “the dregs of society”. They are the epitome of many ominous phenomena typical for the end of 19th century Argentina. As for evolutionary character, the line in Payro´s heroes of novels begins with the outcast of society (Chamijo), continues in an unscrupulous good-for-nothing (Laucha) and tends towards a successful politiciancareerist (Mauricio Gómez Herrera).