5.5 "El hijo” Horacio Quiroga

6 min read•march 15, 2023

Sylvia Rodriguez

AP Spanish Literature 💃🏽

24 resources

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Author's Background:

Horacio Quiroga (1878-1937) was an Uruguayan writer who is considered one of the most important Latin American short story writers of the 20th century. His stories often feature characters who are in conflict with nature, with themselves, or with their fellow human beings. Quiroga was deeply influenced by Edgar Allan Poe and often incorporated elements of horror and the supernatural into his writing. He lived a tumultuous life marked by tragedy, including the deaths of his father, stepfather, and two of his wives, as well as his own eventual suicide.

Historical Context:

“El hijo” was first published in 1928, a time of great political and social upheaval in Latin America. Many countries in the region were transitioning from colonial rule to independence, and this process was often marked by violence and political instability. At the same time, the region was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, leading to significant changes in social and economic structures. Quiroga’s work reflects these larger historical trends, as well as the personal struggles and tragedies he experienced in his own life.

In addition to reflecting the larger historical trends of Latin America during this time, “El hijo” also reflects the literary movement of Modernismo. Modernismo was a literary movement that emerged in Latin America in the late 19th century and early 20th century, characterized by a focus on symbolism, exoticism, and the exploration of the inner self. Quiroga's use of symbolism and his exploration of the protagonist's inner life align with these characteristics of Modernismo.

Furthermore, Quiroga's personal experiences also influenced the writing of “El hijo.” His father died in a hunting accident when Quiroga was a child, and his stepfather committed suicide. These events left a profound impact on Quiroga, and themes of death, suicide, and the impact of trauma are present in many of his works, including “El hijo.”

Overall, “El hijo” is a significant work of Latin American literature that reflects larger historical and literary movements, as well as the personal struggles and tragedies of its author. Its exploration of trauma, nature, and family relationships continues to resonate with readers today.

Overview:

“El hijo” tells the story of a man who returns to his family’s farm after years of living abroad. He is greeted by his father, who is pleased to see him but also somewhat distant. The man begins to explore the farm and the surrounding jungle, reconnecting with the natural world and his own memories. However, he is haunted by a traumatic event from his past, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this event has had a profound impact on his relationships with his family and with himself.

Themes:

One of the key themes in “El hijo” is the transformative power of nature. Quiroga suggests that nature can serve as a source of healing and renewal for individuals who have experienced trauma. The protagonist finds solace in the natural world, and his connection to it allows him to confront and process his past. The way in which nature is depicted in the story, as both beautiful and terrifying, suggests that it is a complex and powerful force that can both comfort and challenge individuals.

Another important theme in the story is trauma and its aftermath. Quiroga explores the idea that trauma can have long-lasting effects on a person's relationships and worldview. The protagonist's traumatic experience has left him emotionally scarred and distant from his family, and he struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life. Quiroga's portrayal of trauma is complex, highlighting the various ways in which it can manifest itself and the difficulties individuals face in trying to overcome it.

Nature and the natural world: The story explores the idea that nature has a powerful, transformative effect on human beings. The protagonist finds solace and meaning in the natural world, which he sees as a source of healing and renewal.
Trauma and its aftermath: The story grapples with the lasting effects of trauma, and the ways in which it can shape a person’s relationships and worldview.
Family and identity: The story explores the complex dynamics of family relationships, and the tension between individual identity and family expectations.

Finally, “El hijo” also explores the complex dynamics of family relationships, and the tension between individual identity and family expectations. The protagonist's relationship with his father is marked by distance and tension, and it becomes clear that this is in part due to the father's expectations for his son. Quiroga suggests that individuals must navigate these complex dynamics in order to find their own sense of identity and purpose.Overall, “El hijo” is a rich and complex work of literature that explores a range of themes related to nature, trauma, family, and identity. Quiroga's use of literary elements such as symbolism and foreshadowing, as well as his personal experiences, make the story a significant contribution to Latin American literature.

Literary Elements:

Symbolism: The jungle and the natural world are symbols for the protagonist’s inner life and emotional state.
Foreshadowing: The story uses foreshadowing to build suspense and create a sense of unease in the reader.
Flashbacks: The protagonist’s memories of his traumatic experience are presented in flashbacks, which serve to deepen the reader’s understanding of his character and motivations.

One of the most prominent literary elements in "El hijo" is symbolism. Quiroga uses the jungle and the natural world as symbols for the protagonist's inner life and emotional state. The jungle represents the wild and untamed aspects of the protagonist's psyche, while the farm and the crops represent his need for structure and order. By contrasting these two elements, Quiroga is able to explore the protagonist's internal conflict and the ways in which he is trying to find balance and harmony in his life.

The story also makes use of foreshadowing to build suspense and create a sense of unease in the reader. The ominous atmosphere created by the descriptions of the jungle, coupled with hints about the protagonist's traumatic experience, serve to create a sense of foreboding that builds throughout the story. This technique adds to the tension and drama of the narrative, and helps to create a deeper emotional connection between the reader and the protagonist.

Finally, Quiroga uses flashbacks to deepen the reader's understanding of the protagonist's character and motivations. By presenting the traumatic experience in this way, Quiroga is able to show how it has shaped the protagonist's relationships with his family and his view of the world. This technique also serves to emphasize the lasting impact of trauma, and the ways in which it can continue to affect a person's life even years after the event has occurred.

Summary:

As the protagonist continues to explore the farm and the jungle, he begins to experience a sense of renewal and connection to the natural world. Quiroga's use of vivid descriptions of the jungle and its inhabitants suggests that the protagonist is rediscovering a part of himself that he had long forgotten. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the protagonist is still grappling with the traumatic event from his past.

The turning point in the story comes when the protagonist encounters a group of wild pigs that are destroying his family's crops. In a fit of rage, he sets out to hunt and kill them, and in the process, he becomes lost in the jungle. As night falls and the jungle becomes increasingly dangerous, the protagonist is forced to confront his past and his own mortality.

In the end, the protagonist is rescued by his father, who has been searching for him. The two men return to the farm, and the protagonist begins to come to terms with the impact of his trauma on his relationships with his family and with himself. The story ends with a sense of tentative hope, as the protagonist begins to reconcile with his father and to find a new sense of purpose in his life.

"El Hijo" tells the story of a man who returns to his family’s farm after years of living abroad. He is haunted by a traumatic event from his past, which has left him emotionally scarred and distant from his family. As he explores the farm and the surrounding jungle, he begins to reconnect with the natural world and his own memories. However, his trauma continues to haunt him, and he ultimately decides to take his own life rather than confront his painful past.

Significance:

“El hijo” is a powerful exploration of trauma, nature, and family relationships. It reflects Quiroga’s larger themes of human conflict with the natural world, and the ways in which personal tragedies can shape a person’s worldview. The story’s use of symbolism, foreshadowing, and flashbacks make it a rich and complex work of literature, and it has been widely studied and analyzed by scholars of Latin American literature.

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