Posted by Victoria Melnikova on March 22, 192003 at 08:20:36:
„Juan Moreira“, which seems to conform to all the basic characteristics of the gauchesca genre, is built on the tension between the gaucho`s determination to exercise free will on the one hand, and his fatalism on the other. The contradiction is that eventually Moreira, systematically rejecting opportunities to „start a new life“, does make his own choice, but the choice actually consisits in surrendering to destiny.
Another conflict is that between the official law and the gauchos´ law, which definitely do not coincide. Moreover, Moreira claims to have his own God („No lo permita mi Dios“).
The role of the female character, Moreira´s wife Vicenta, is quite curious. Albeit not quite on her own volition, she becomes the mayor`s concubine. Moreira fully understands the situation and therefore forgives his wife. Yet, the passivity and lack of rebelliousness on the part of Vicenta make her seem a weaker character, as compared to the gauchos who would rather sacrifice their life than allow to be victimized and humbled. Although Moreira repeatedly voices his concern about his family, his actions cause a lot of damage to his wife and son. Obviously, his priority is to ensure revenge, even at the cost of the loved ones. This also relegates the woman, and the familial in general, to a lower level in the hierarchy of the gaucho´s priorities. On the contrary, in his interaction with the other gauchos, Moreira seems to display more affection for and commitment to his male companions than to his wife.
At the same time, Vicenta plays a key role in the play, since, as we find out, she is the original reason for the hatred between Don Francsco and Moreira. It was not clear to me from the text who initially stole her from whom. What is patent though is once again the passive attitude of the woman, who seems to be more of an object than a human being with a free will.
Also interesting is the attitude of the gaucho, an outlaw himself, to other marginal groups. He definitely despises the Indians. Besides the references to their bestiality, as well as the exile to the frontier with the Indian territories as the worst punishment, the very exclusion of the Indian from the play is telling. This kind of attitude does not apply, for instance, to other people of color - one of Moreira´s friends is Black.
The questions that arose after reading the play:
How was Moreira´s death performed? The stage directions indicate: „Muerte de Moreira“. However, there is no text or additional comments accompanying it. I wonder if the murder was actually shown on the stage, or just assumed? What could be the implications of each?
I was also wondering what was the relationship between this play and „Martin Fierro“. „Juan Moreira“, as well as the novel on which it is based, appeared shortly after the second part of „Martin Fierro“. I do not know if „Martin Fierro“ enjoyed immediate popularity, but it would probably be valid to suppose that „Juan Moreira“ was influenced by the poem. At the same time, as our introduction suggests, the popularity of „Juan Moreira“ was conducive to the staging of „Martin Fierro“. Yet, in spite of such mutual influences, the conclusion and the moral of the two works are quite different, given that the gaucho in „Martin Fierro“, at the end of the second part, reintegrates into the society.