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Horacio Quirog The Dead Man

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Horacio Quiroga, the author of the short story, “The Dead Man” was considered to be the originator of the style of writing called Criollismo in Latin America. This style of writing is often compared to American literary regionalism, and was most used during the 19th and 20th century. Most of Horacio’s stories deal with the viciousness of the tropical nature in Latin America, which is a common theme among the Criollismo style of writing (“Quiroga). “The Dead Man” is no exception, as the story details a man clearing out his banana grove, ultimately falling onto his machete and dying. This story is significant because the author describes a man’s horrible death in a practical, ironic way that portrays his death as insignificant. This short story takes place during the man’s final thirty minutes of life. Time in this story advances incredibly slow, as the phrases “not even two seconds have elapsed,” “the shadows have not advanced one millimeter,” “two minutes went by,” are used throughout. During these thirty minutes, the man is disconcerted to the …show more content…

He takes great pride in his work and possessions, but in the end, they kill him. Quiroga does not glorify the man; as his banana grove becomes his final resting place. Human life and effort are presented as little and ephemeral, and only the land achieves permanence and grandeur. The insignificance of the man’s work can be seen through the way the author writes the story as well. As the man is dying, he looks to his surroundings at all the work he has done over the years. He says in thought, “Everything, everything exactly as always: the burning sun, the vibrant air, the loneliness, the motionless banana trees, the wire fence with the tall, very thick posts that will soon have to be replaced…Dead” (6). The upsetting irony of this, is that everything the man has worked for and is proud of, is what ended up killing

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