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En la noche de los tamarindos: tristes trópicos y emigración en la poesía elegíaca de Vicente Gerbasi

Introduction

En la noche de los tamarindos: tristes trópicos y emigración en la poesía elegíaca de vicente gerbasi. Explora la poesía elegíaca de Vicente Gerbasi, centrándose en 'Mi padre, el inmigrante'. Analiza la emigración, nostalgia y fusión de paisajes venezolanos e italianos en su obra.

Abstract

Este artículo analiza los textos de carácter elegíaco del poeta venezolano de orígenes italianos Vicente Gerbasi, centrándose concretamente en el poema en treinta cantos Mi padre, el inmigrante (1945) y en el texto que por varios motivos funciona como antecedente de este, Poemas de la noche y de la tierra (1943). Casi un moderno explorador del paisaje americano, Gerbasi, entre los fundadores del llamado Grupo Viernes, une en su poesía el tema canónico de la pérdida y la orfandad con una representación del paisaje articulada sobre un registro de mirada inaugural. Al mismo tiempo, combina elementos de la naturaleza venezolana y del «golfo perdido» del sur de Italia, desde donde había partido su padre, para reflejar la experiencia de la emigración y la nostalgia.

Review

The article, "En la noche de los tamarindos: tristes trópicos y emigración en la poesía elegíaca de Vicente Gerbasi," proposes a focused and insightful analysis of the elegiac poetry of the Venezuelan poet Vicente Gerbasi, particularly highlighting *Mi padre, el inmigrante* (1945) and its precursor, *Poemas de la noche y de la tierra* (1943). The abstract effectively outlines the core argument, positioning Gerbasi as a pivotal figure, a "modern explorer" whose work transcends the canonical themes of loss and orphanhood by intertwining them with a distinctive representation of the American landscape. The dual heritage of Gerbasi, blending Venezuelan nature with the "lost gulf" of southern Italy, promises a rich exploration of emigration and nostalgia, centralizing the personal and ancestral dimensions within his poetic voice. A significant strength of this proposed analysis lies in its commitment to dissecting how Gerbasi, a key member of the Grupo Viernes, constructs an "inaugural gaze" upon the landscape while simultaneously reflecting the profound experience of emigration. The article's focus on the interweaving of Venezuelan and Italian topographies to articulate longing and identity is particularly compelling, suggesting a sophisticated reading of cultural hybridity and the emotional geography of displacement. The title's intriguing reference to "tristes trópicos" further hints at a potentially rich theoretical framework, perhaps drawing on Lévi-Strauss, which could provide a deeper critical lens for understanding Gerbasi's relationship with both his immediate environment and the broader implications of his migratory narrative. This approach promises to illuminate not only Gerbasi's unique contribution but also broader conversations about national identity and diaspora in Latin American literature. Overall, this article appears poised to make a valuable contribution to Gerbasi scholarship and to studies of elegiac poetry and migration in the Latin American context. By examining the evolution of Gerbasi's elegiac voice across these two foundational texts, the author is well-positioned to demonstrate how the poet's personal story of familial migration becomes a powerful metaphor for broader existential and national introspection. The promise of exploring the intersection of canonical themes with a unique representational strategy rooted in a dual landscape suggests a nuanced and thought-provoking analysis. This review anticipates that the article will provide significant insights into the enduring power of Gerbasi's poetry to articulate the complex interplay between memory, place, and identity.

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