Honoring Heritage: The Impact of Hispanic and Latino Literature
By Paris Sanchez
Literature comes in a variety of forms, from being written in various languages, to emerging from numerous places in the world. As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches, it's important to recognize the significance of writers who come from different cultures and backgrounds. Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration in the United States that runs from September 15 to October 15. It honors the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. While this month primarily celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, it's also important to recognize the broader influence of Hispanic and Latino literature globally. These worlds not only improve our undertaking of diverse cultures but also help those who have moved away from their ancestral homes remember their traditions and backgrounds. Through literature, they can hold onto a part of their identity and heritage, and pass it down to future generations. This preservation of culture and identity wouldn't be possible without the contributions and sacrifices of their ancestors.
Literature doesn't just include written pieces; it can also be something you watch, such as plays. It can convey culture through ink onto pages or from the vocal cords of an individual onto a stage. Recognizing the importance of literature from various cultures and backgrounds is crucial. Literature helps the history, culture, and contributions made by Hispanic and Latino writers continue to be remembered and lived on. In this article, I will go over the works of various influential Hispanic and Latino writers, including Guadalupe Nettel, Ernesto R. Sábato, and Gabriel García Márquez to highlight their contributions to literature and culture.
Guadalupe Nettel is a Mexican writer, who was born in Mexico City, Mexico in the year of 1973. Throughout her life, so far, she has won multiple awards, including “Premio de Narrativa Breve Ribera del Duero" and the “Premio Herralde literacy awards”. She received her education at “Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México” a School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences. Nettel is mostly known for her exploration of unconventional themes, her work offers readers a distinct perspective on motherhood and societal expectations. Guadalupe Nettel’s novel I will be briefly discussing is Still Born. Still Born dives into the intricacies of motherhood and the choices that surround it. This novel follows Alina and Laura, two friends who are career-driven and independent women in their thirties. Both Laura and Alina begin to have complex feelings about the idea of having children. The choices they make lead them on a poignant journey that challenges their beliefs and transforms their existence. Through two similar yet contrasting narratives, Nettel does a beautiful job of exploring the societal pressures that surround motherhood and all the emotions it bears.
Ernesto R. Sábato was an Argentine writer and physicist. He was born on June 24, 1911, in Rojas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Although he earned a PhD in Physics from the National University of La Plata, where he pursued a career in science, he later ended up becoming disenchanted with science and turned to literature. Sábato saw it as a way to search deeper existential and moral queries. Some considerable awards he was given were the Miguel de Cervantes Prize(the most prestigious award for Spanish-language literature, often being compared to the Nobel Prize), the Konex Award(a top Argentine award that recognizes excellence in literature and other fields), the Grand Cross of Civil Merit(honors exceptional contributions to Spanish-speaking culture and literature), and the Gabriela Mistral Order of Educational and Cultural Merit(in recognition of his literary achievements). Sábato clearly had an immense impact on world literature and left behind a huge legacy. Sábato’s novel I will be briefly discussing is The Tunnel. It is a psychological thriller that investigates themes of existential despair, isolation, and the dark side of human emotions. It follows Juan Pablo Castro, a painter, who begins to have intense feelings of obsession for a woman, Maria, beginning to believe that she is the only one who can comprehend his art. His obsession begins to intensify, which gradually leads to jealousy, paranoia, and a dreadful act. This psychological thriller made significant contributions to Latin American existential literature.
Gabriel García Márquez was a Colombian novelist, short story writer, and journalist. He was born on March 6, 1927, in Aracataca, Colombia. He went to the National University of Colombia to study law, however he ended up not finishing and instead pursued writing and journalism. Some of the several prestigious awards he went on to receive include the Nobel Prize in Literature(for his influential work in magical realism and world literature), the Miguel de Cervantes Prize(recognizing him as a leading figure in Spanish-language literature), and the Romulo Gallegos Prize(acknowledging the significant impact “One Hundred Years of Solitude” had on Latin American literature). These awards show just how much of a contribution he had on Latin literature but globally. The book I will be briefly discussing is One Hundred Years of Solitude. This book follows the Buendía family over several generations in the fictional town of Macondo. As their story unravels, the novel blends together magical realism with themes of solitude, love, and the passage of time, delivering an enthralling exploration of human nature and history. This novel is a fundamental base of magical realism and has had a profound impact on Latin American literature and beyond.
The works of Guadalupe Nettel, Ernesto R. Sábato, and Gabriel García Márquez illustrate the diversity and profound depth of Hispanic and Latino literature. These authors contributed distinctive viewpoints that examine the complexity of the human experience, societal norms, and cultural identity. As Hispanic Heritage Month nears it’s a great time to absorb yourself in Hispanic and Latino literature. By reading through the pages of these novels, readers can attain a profound appreciation for the cultures and histories that shape Hispanic and Latino communities. Commemorating their contributions through literature not only honors their legacy but also enhances our understanding of people from diverse backgrounds around us.
