Study Notes on *Cartucho* by Nelly Campobello
Introduction to Spanish 312 Hopscotch
Host: John
Guest: Ryan, Professor at the University of Maryland, expert in Mexican literature.
Notable works:
Book on post-1968 Mexican novel.
Recent book about Roberto Bolaño.
Overview of Cartucho by Nelly Campobello
Type: Literary text, debated as a novel.
Subject: Mexican Revolution.
Unique Perspective: One of the few texts on the Revolution authored by a woman.
Context for Approaching Cartucho
Importance of Context: Understanding the time period of the text and publication.
Nelly Campobello's Background:
Born in Durango, moved to Chihuahua.
Witnessed significant fighting during the Revolution.
Family Involvement:
Supported Pancho Villa, a major revolutionary leader.
Revolution timeframe: 1910 to 1920.
Key Historical Events:
Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata’s occupation of Mexico City.
Content and Structure of the Text
Time Period Recounted:
Focuses on years 1916 to 1920, a decline period for Pancho Villa.
Events depict guerrilla warfare and Villa's eventual losses.
Publication Context:
First published in 1931 (1,000 copies) with a short print run, edited by Germán List.
Reissued in 1940 edited by Martín Luis Guzmán, altering Villa’s controversial characterization.
1931 edition referred to Villa as a bandit, removed in the 1940 edition.
Fragmentary Structure of Cartucho
Unique Narrative Style:
Non-linear, disjointed structure that resists traditional narrative continuity.
Emphasis on multiple vignettes and recollections.
Literary Techniques:
The term "Cartucho" reflects the structure of gunfire, suggesting a mechanical and repetitive chaos rather than a tidy narrative.
Themes and Topics
Senselessness of Violence:
Campobello’s goal to highlight the repetitive nature of violence without a linear conclusion.
The emotional reality of a child's perspective amid chaos.
Domestic Space and Home Front:
Women’s roles in caring for the wounded and sustaining life amid chaos.
Shocking events are reported with childlike indifference.
Tender moments are portrayed alongside violence, demonstrating emotional complexity.
Significant Episodes within the Text
El Kirili Passage:
Describes intimate contact with death, portraying the intersection of care and violence.
Desde una Ventana (From a Window):
Narrator witnesses a corpse outside her window, symbolizing the proximity of violence.
Themes of connection, separation, and emotional resonance with death.
The Role of Women in Cartucho
Women’s Perspectives:
Vital for preserving family narratives and memories of the Revolution.
Captures the struggle and resilience of women during the conflict.
Importance of Oral Tradition:
The use of corridos (folk songs) to transmit histories that transcend literacy barriers.
Preservation and Memory:
Importance of remembering and honoring the dead.
The text emphasizes the care for memory against forgetfulness.
Concept of Reanimation in Cartucho
Reanimation of the Dead:
Characters and their stories are brought to life through narrative techniques.
Memory operates non-linearly, emphasizing emotional intensity over chronology.
Ghosts and Unsettled Spirits:
Characters exist in memories, serving as haunting reminders of the violence endured during the Revolution.
Acknowledgements and Conclusions
Conversation reflective of the complex, multifaceted nature of Cartucho.
The text serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of personal and collective memory amid war.
Insights provided aid in understanding the narrative style and thematic depth, enhancing appreciation for Campobello’s work.
Final Thoughts
John and Ryan conclude the discussion, reflecting on the educational value of the text.
Honoring the connection between personal stories and larger historical narratives.