Borges y la historia literaria (Cómo pudo fundarse la literatura argentina)

Abstract

In "El tamaño de mi esperanza" (1926) Borges made a quick assessment of what Argentines had done until then in terms of literature. The result was so poor that Borges could believe that practically everything was yet to be done. An “essential poverty” could well be an opportunity and a hope. Before Borges’ generation began, however, three generations had already defined themselves with that meaningful label formed by three words: “new literary generation”. Remembering that brief history prior to the “revolución martinfierrista” can help us understand, on this side idolatry, the deceptive foundational epic of the avant-garde ruptures.