Guillermo Blest Gana's epístola a José Victorino Lastarria

Abstract

Guillermo Blest Gana's Epístola a José Victorino Lastarria is a satire written in terza rima against bad poets and an uncritical press. It ridicules pseudo-poetic language —verbal transpositions, gallicisms and other poetical excesses—, absurd arguments, as well as a variety of human types and social customs. The main butt of the satire are the social poseurs and foolish politicians who despite their irresponsible acquiescence and mindlessness enjoy the reputation of sages and wield all social and political power. The satire invokes at its close the literary topic ofNil admirari and makes' a derisive call for patience and conformity: these people are only human.