LITMIR.BIZ

      ALEX NAVA

      WONDER

      AND EXILE

      IN THE

      NEW WORLD

      The Pennsylvania State University Press

       University Park, Pennsylvania

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Nava, Alexander, 1967–Wonder and exile in the New World / Alex Nava.

      p. cm.

      Summary: “Explores the language of wonder in the history

       of the New World. Traces the preoccupation with this

      concept in the history of the Americas from the colonial era

       to the twentieth century, with the emergence of so-called

      magical realism”—Provided by publisher.

      Includes bibliographical references and index.

      ISBN 978-0-271-05993-8 (cloth : alk. paper)

      1. Spanish American literature—History and criticism.

      2. America—Early accounts to 1600—History and criticism.

      3. America—Discovery and exploration—Spanish.

      4. Baroque literature—History and criticism.

      5. Wonder in literature.

      6. Wonder—Religious aspects.

      7. Magic realism (Literature).

      8. Exile (Punishment) in literature.

      9. Mysticism and literature.

      I. Title.

      PQ7081.N2826 2013

      860.9′98—dc23

      2013003232

      Copyright © 2013 The Pennsylvania State University

      All rights reserved

      Printed in the United States of America

      Published by The Pennsylvania State University Press,

      University Park, PA 16802–1003

      The Pennsylvania State University Press is a member of the

      Association of American University Presses.

      It is the policy of The Pennsylvania State University Press to use acid-free

      paper. Publications on uncoated stock satisfy the minimum requirements

      of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of

      Paper for Printed Library Material, ANSI Z39.48–1992.

      TO MY TEACHERS, especially Robert A. Burns and David Tracy, with gratitude

       CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

ONE Wonder and Exile: Mystical and Prophetic Perspectives

TWO Wanderers and Wonderers in the New World: Voices of the Dispossessed

       THREE The Hidden God of the Baroque: Baroque Wonders, Baroque Tragedies

       FOUR Baroque Artists in Exile: Cervantes and Sor Juana

       FIVE Mysticism and the Marvelous in Latin American Literature

       Conclusion

       Notes

       Bibliography

       Index

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      When trying to express gratitude for a book on wonder, it’s tempting to begin with the budding memories of childhood, since the aptitude for wonder seems highly developed in this early stage, only to retreat and diminish in adult years. In some cases, under the pressures and routines of the mundane, it goes into hibernation. In my case, childhood was, indeed, the wonder years, a time of fascination and exploration, when everything around me pulsed with life and seemed so remarkably strange and peculiar. I can recall, in particular, the early fascination I had for books and learning and the equal attraction for matters related to the mysterious question of God. And I came to love the rhymes and rhythms of language, especially in literature, poetry, and music. Though my first attraction to poetry occurred through the words and beats of hip-hop (perhaps a subject for another book), I soon turned to the study of literature and religion at the University of Arizona, where my professors (especially Robert Burns, Robert Gimello, and Heiko A. Oberman) fed my insatiable curiosity. I am very grateful for their formative impact on my life.

      Upon graduation, I made my way to the University of Chicago, a place that offered my hunger a great banquet of ideas. Bernard McGinn, Anne Carr, David Tracy, Friedrich Katz, Homi Bhabha, and Jean-Luc Marion, among many others, gave me a wealth of knowledge and a completely new set of questions to entertain and explore. This book would not have been written without their teaching and scholarship.

      Beyond my teachers in the classroom, this book is a dialogue with numerous scholars that I cite throughout my study. Hopefully my debt to them is clear, but nevertheless I would like to single out a few of them. Edward Hirsch introduced me to the wonders of poetry in his numerous studies on the subject; Roberto González Echevarría was an engaging and excellent guide to the Baroque traditions in Spain and Latin America; Stephen Greenblatt’s work on the marvel of the New World is an obvious influence on this study; and the work of Rolena Adorno, Diana de Armas Wilson, Frederick de Armas, Walter Mignolo, Ilan Stavans, and Lois Parkinson Zamora each contributed significantly to my understanding of Latin American literary and cultural traditions. In theology, the list of influences and contributors to this study is long, but at the top is David Tracy, Gustavo Gutiérrez, Enrique Dussel, Roberto Goizueta, and Benjamin Valentin.

      Richard Rodriguez read an early, abridged version one of my chapters, and I was delightfully surprised by the time and care that he put into reading my work and, of course, for the valuable suggestions he gave me, especially pertaining to the writing style. Thank you.

      I had the benefit of some good, tough, anonymous readers who gave me fine suggestions and feedback for improving the manuscript. And, of course, my copyeditor, Nicholas Taylor, read the manuscript with great care and helped me clarify and refine it in many ways.

      Numerous friends gave me much needed support throughout the entire, long process of writing this book and deserve thanks: Michael Ferguson and Jim and Mimi Dew for the rare and enduring friendship that we have shared; Rick Duran for his friendship and never-ending wealth of humor; Fr. Bill Dougherty for his wisdom and grace; Eileen Couch for her affection and kindness during my graduate school years in Chicago; and Annie Rhodes for her vitality, craziness, and sweetness.

      I am also very grateful to my second family from Somalia. They have given me so many precious gifts that it would be hard to express my gratitude in a few words. What I can say is that I have been enriched for knowing them. And my relationship with them would not be what it is if not for two friends of mine—Isabel Shelton and Brooke Sabia. Thank you Miss Isabel

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