Antonio Skármeta's Narratives of Ethnicity: Rewriting Chile's
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Antonio Skármeta’s Narratives of Ethnicity: Rewriting Chile’s Discourses of Identity May Morpaw Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies In partial fulfilment of the requirements For the Doctorate in Philosophy degree in Spanish Modern Languages and Literatures Faculty of Arts University of Ottawa ©May Morpaw, Ottawa, Canada, 2016 ii Abstract This dissertation examines the representation of ethnic origins in Antonio Skármeta’s fiction. My hypothesis is that exile in Europe and return to Chile led the author to rethink his Dalmatian-Croatian roots and his sense of self in response to prevailing discourses of national identity. I assess Chile’s immigration history as well as the development of the idea of a homogeneous national identity. Blending concepts of ethnic narrative with theories of memory, identity, and literature, I trace Skármeta’s literary shift towards reclaiming his roots and initiating a critical dialogue with established notions of Chilean identity. I further argue that he grounds himself in literary tradition to inscribe immigrant stories into two major foundational genres, the historical novel and the family romance. I also show that, instead of accepting the truth-telling claims of historical fiction, Skármeta employs historiographic metafiction and intertextuality to emphasize the literary nature of fictional discourse and the role of literary figures in inventing the nation. Finally, I contend that these narratives constitute literary lieux de mémoire (Pierre Nora), which incorporate a subjective memory into the evolving discourses on Chilean identity, thereby recognizing pluralism and fostering mutual understanding. Résumé Cette dissertation examine la représentation d’origines ethniques dans la création littéraire d’Antonio Skármeta. Selon mon hypothèse, l’exil en Europe et le retour au Chili ont mené l’auteur à repenser ses racines dalmates/croates et son sens de soi en réponse aux discours prédominants en matière d’identité nationale. J’évalue autant l’histoire de l’immigration au Chili que le développement de l’idée d’une identité nationale homogène. Joignant des concepts de récits ethniques à des théories sur la mémoire, l’identité et la littérature, je trace l’évolution de iii Skármeta vers la récupération littéraire de ses racines et l’amorce d’un dialogue critique avec les notions bien établies d’identité chilienne. De plus, j’argumente qu’il se fonde sur la tradition littéraire pour inscrire des histoires d’immigrants dans deux grands genres littéraires, le roman historique et la saga familiale. Je démontre également que, au lieu d’envisager le roman historique traditionnel comme une représentation de la vérité, Skármeta a recours à la métafiction historiographique et à l’intertextualité pour souligner la nature littéraire de ce genre de discours et le rôle de personnages littéraires dans l’invention de la nation. Finalement, je soutiens que ces récits constituent des lieux de mémoire (Pierre Nora) qui incorporent une mémoire subjective aux discours changeants sur l’identité chilienne, reconnaissant ainsi le pluralisme et favorisant la compréhension réciproque. iv Acknowledgments As a tenth generation Canadian primarily of French descent, I have no obvious ties to immigration, exile, or the Hispanic world. Yet, some years ago I learned that my mother’s paternal line descended from a man nicknamed l’espagnol born in Burgos into a French and Spanish family, who settled in the 1660s near Quebec City, where his only son was born. Although the ties to Spain were long forgotten, my Ottawa high school teachers fostered my affinity for the Spanish language and its literature. This interest grew through my university years, studies in Caracas (Venezuela) and Guanajuato (Mexico), and several years spent on Spanish American projects for the Government of Canada, especially in Mexico, Chile and Peru. In searching for a doctoral research topic, I became fascinated by the treatment of immigrant roots in two novels by prominent Chilean author Antonio Skármeta. Since the ethnic diversity of our population is openly reflected in our identity discourses and in award-winning fiction, I first found it intriguing that fiction from the Southern Cone was less often studied from an ethnic perspective, despite significant waves of immigration to the region. Second, I had spent time on the island of Brač, the birthplace of Skármeta’s grandparents. Third, I was acutely aware of the exile of numerous Chilean intellectuals and artists after the 1973 military coup, since Canada had acted as a host country. These disparate elements combined to make me question how and why a well-known third-generation Chilean writer would translate his Dalmatian roots and the challenges of immigrant settlement into his post-exile fiction. I had found a subject that linked three very different nations—Canada, Chile and Croatia—in novel fashion. I want to thank everyone who has supported me during my time in the graduate program at the University of Ottawa. First and foremost, I offer heartfelt thanks to my thesis co-directors Jorge Carlos Guerrero and Agatha Schwartz. From the outset, Professor Guerrero encouraged me v to pursue my abiding interest in Spanish American fiction. He has been unstintingly generous in offering constructive advice and direction, while reading and rereading my work from a critical perspective. Without his guidance, recommended readings, professional rigour, and our countless hours of discussion, I never would have reached this stage. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Professor Schwartz, especially for her insights into European literature and history, as well as her theoretical suggestions. I am privileged to have been supervised by two dedicated, caring and genuine individuals. I also appreciate the time and care the members of my thesis committee have devoted to reviewing and assessing my work. Their pertinent observations and questions have helped to strengthen it. Thank you, Professors Rosalía Cornejo-Parriego and Mario Boido. I am grateful to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for being responsive to my particular circumstances. In addition, the University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarships as well as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship enabled me to concentrate on my studies. Finally, I acknowledge the contributions made by other academic members of the department and the administrative assistance of Philippe Villeneuve, Manon Lavallée-Pratte, and Harry Kisoka. Family and close friends showed patience and understanding, allowing me the time and space I needed. Yet they were always there when I surfaced to regain a sense of perspective. Above all, I am deeply indebted to my late husband R. Ernest Oliver who understood my fascination with Spanish America and fully supported me in this endeavour. Ernie always believed that I could and would accomplish whatever goals I set for myself, even when I truly doubted my capabilities. I miss his love, his optimism and his constant encouragement. I regret that he could not witness the completion of this dissertation which I dedicate to his memory. vi Table of Contents Antonio Skármeta’s Narratives of Ethnicity: Rewriting Chile’s Discourses of Identity Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1 Key Terms ....................................................................................................................................5 Major Arguments .........................................................................................................................9 Review of Scholarly Responses to Skármeta’s Work ...............................................................14 Corpus, Methodology and Structure .........................................................................................22 Chapter 1: Immigration, Identity Discourses, and Memory Theory in Identity Construction .....26 Immigration Policies and Patterns in Chile ...............................................................................27 The Dalmatian Immigrants ........................................................................................................36 The Discourses Surrounding Chilenidad ..................................................................................43 Memory Theory and Identity Construction ...............................................................................76 Chapter 2: Skármeta and the Literary Tradition ...........................................................................92 Chile’s Literary Canon ...............................................................................................................92 Ethnic Narrative and Immigrants in Chilean Literature ...........................................................101 The Dalmatian Presence in Chilean Literature ........................................................................123 Skármeta and the Spanish American Literary Tradition .........................................................127