José Lezama Lima Criticism
José Lezama Lima, a pivotal Cuban writer, is renowned for his distinctive contributions to poetry, essays, and prose that collectively form a cornerstone of neo-baroque American literature. His works deftly intertwine spiritual and philosophical themes with linguistic creativity, as seen in his acclaimed essays La expresión americana and Introducción a los vasos órficos. These essays articulate Lezama Lima's vision of a unique American aesthetic marked by ecstasy and magical realism. His novel Paradiso, a semi-autobiographical exploration, follows Jose Cemí's spiritual and poetic maturation, embodying Lezama Lima's philosophical perspectives elaborated in Confluences.
Despite its complexity, Paradiso is celebrated for its innovative narrative style that defies conventional storytelling through its baroque influences, particularly those of poet Góngora. As detailed by Peter Moscoso-Gongora, the novel prioritizes linguistic artistry and allegorical lyricism over cohesive plot and character development, reflecting a Joycean liberation of language recognized by Robert Martin Adams.
The profound symbolic and thematic complexity of Paradiso invites comparisons to the works of Proust, Joyce, and Dante, as discussed by The Text in Its Context, and is dissected by scholars like Raymond Souza and Margarita Fazzolari. Claudia Joan Waller examines its spiritual and existential themes, highlighting its Atma-Buddhic symbolism and its portrayal of Cemí's journey toward enlightenment in her analysis. Additionally, Gustavo Pérez Firmat explores parallels with Dante's Divina Commedia, emphasizing themes of self-discovery and transformation.
Lezama Lima's work, while critically acclaimed, posed a political challenge in Cuba, diverging from the revolutionary themes favored by the Castro regime. This political tension adds another dimension to his legacy, positioning him as a complex figure in modern literature praised by contemporaries like Julio Cortazar and Octavio Paz, despite facing criticism from figures such as Michael Wood. His intricate narrative structures continue to captivate and challenge readers, inviting further exploration through the rich critical discourse surrounding his oeuvre.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Lima, José Lezama
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A Sentimental Realism
(summary)
In the following essay, Alonso contends that while Lezama Lima's realistic writing style was influenced by the works of Ruben Dario and Maria Eugenia Gongora, Paradiso is sincere but unconvincing in its realism.
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Confluences
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Lezama Lima discusses his theory of poetics and philosophical views in regard to the creation of the plot and characters of Paradiso.
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The Text in Its Context
(summary)
In the following essay, Monegal compares Paradiso's themes and structure to the works of Marcel Proust, James Joyce, and Dante, focusing on the novel's literal, allegorical, and spiritual elements.
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The Sensorial World of Lezama Lima
(summary)
In the following essay, Souza discusses the structure of Paradiso, focusing on Lezama Lima's symbolic use of characters and the story's themes, which include time, chaos, and freedom.
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Reader's Guide to Paradiso
(summary)
In the following essay, Fazzolari discusses the sequential development of Paradiso's storyline, focusing on Lezama Lima's use of a "poetic system" that utilizes metaphorical images and language, and symbolic characters and events.
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A Sentimental Realism
(summary)
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Lezama Lima, José (Vol. 10)
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José Lezama Lima's 'Paradiso': The Theme of Light and the Resurrection
(summary)
In the following essay, Claudia Joan Waller explores José Lezama Lima's novel Paradiso, arguing that its narrative intricately employs Atma-Buddhic symbolism to depict a spiritual journey of light and resurrection, transcending existential despair in favor of hope and the evolution of consciousness towards an enlightened state.
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A Proust of the Caribbean
(summary)
In the following essay, Peter Moscoso-Gongora argues that José Lezama Lima's Paradiso is less a conventional narrative and more a linguistic and stylistic exploration, emphasizing artifice and lyrical allegory over coherent plot and character development, drawing parallels to Proust and Góngora, and portraying a dichotomy between Caribbean and French cultural influences.
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Descent into 'Paradiso': A Study of Heaven and Homosexuality
(summary)
In the following essay, Gustavo Pérez Firmat explores the parallels between José Lezama Lima's novel Paradiso and Dante's Divina Commedia, arguing that Lezama Lima utilizes the structural and thematic elements of Dante's work to depict protagonist Cemí's journey of self-discovery and androgynous transformation, which intertwines with his exploration of homosexuality.
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Robert Martin Adams
(summary)
In the following essay, Robert Martin Adams argues that José Lezama Lima's novel Paradiso exemplifies a Joycean liberation of language, characterized by its rich verbal texture, surrealistic imagery, and its transcendence of conventional narrative structure, thereby securing its significant place in modern literature.
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José Lezama Lima's 'Paradiso': The Theme of Light and the Resurrection
(summary)
- Lezama Lima, José (Vol. 4)
- Further Reading