“Poder y monstruosidad en La fiesta del chivo de Mario Vargas Llosa” explores two topics in the work of the Peruvian nobel laureate. On one hand, I study the exercise of power in his novel, and on the other, the representation of monstrosity. In my research, I propose a critical reading of both topics from a literary approach, analizing the novel as a fictional oeuvre. The research highlights the importance of the mechanisms of power and its exercise as one of the central subjects of the narrative. With respect to the monstrosity we emphasize its relation to the term "abnormality", considering this feature as definitive trait of the literary character of Rafael Trujillo. “Power” and “monstrosity” are, from our perspective, the two main aspects that structure the character of the dictator depicted in the novel of Mario Vargas Llosa.

“Poder y monstruosidad en La fiesta del chivo de Mario Vargas Llosa” explores two topics in the work of the Peruvian nobel laureate. On one hand, I study the exercise of power in his novel, and on the other, the representation of monstrosity. In my research, I propose a critical reading of both topics from a literary approach, analizing the novel as a fictional oeuvre. The research highlights the importance of the mechanisms of power and its exercise as one of the central subjects of the narrative. With respect to the monstrosity we emphasize its relation to the term "abnormality", considering this feature as definitive trait of the literary character of Rafael Trujillo. “Power” and “monstrosity” are, from our perspective, the two main aspects that structure the character of the dictator depicted in the novel of Mario Vargas Llosa.

“Poder y monstruosidad en La fiesta del chivo de Mario Vargas Llosa” explores two topics in the work of the Peruvian nobel laureate. On one hand, I study the exercise of power in his novel, and on the other, the representation of monstrosity. In my research, I propose a critical reading of both topics from a literary approach, analizing the novel as a fictional oeuvre. The research highlights the importance of the mechanisms of power and its exercise as one of the central subjects of the narrative. With respect to the monstrosity we emphasize its relation to the term "abnormality", considering this feature as definitive trait of the literary character of Rafael Trujillo. “Power” and “monstrosity” are, from our perspective, the two main aspects that structure the character of the dictator depicted in the novel of Mario Vargas Llosa.

El objetivo general de nuestro trabajo pasa por ocuparse de la figura del minotauro en las reelaboraciones propuestas por Borges, con su cuento “La casa de Asterión”, y por Cortázar, con su pieza teatral Los reyes, en relación a los conceptos de monstruosidad y otredad y a la ética del humanismo del otro hombre presentada por Levinas. Se trata de un estudio comparativo en donde se analizará tanto el mito clásico del minotauro como también estas dos versiones surgidas al sur del continente americano. Las preguntas de investigación apuntan, por un lado, al interés por los géneros literarios escogidos por los autores argentinos en cuanto condición de posibilidad para la creación de sus minotauros humanizados. Por el otro, a la posición marginal a la que, en principio, la otredad monstruosa queda relegada. Por último, a la inversión producida con sus refinadísimas construcciones estéticas, en las cuales el minotauro es reconocido y en donde creemos ver un llamado de atención a la sociedad para hacerse responsable de los monstruos que crea. / The principal objective of this research is to investigate the minotaur´s portrait in the reinterpretations proposed by Borges, in his short story entitled “The House of Asterion”, and by Cortázar, in his play The Kings. The comparison is made in relation to the concepts of monstrosity and otherness and the ethics of humanism of the Other presented by Levinas. This is a comparative study that aims to analyze the classical myth of the minotaur and the two versions that emerged simultaneously in South America. The research questions refer, first, to the interest in the literary genres chosen by the Argentinian authors that prepare the ground for the creation of humanized minotaurs. Second, to the marginal position to which the monster is relegated. Finally, to the inversion produced in their aesthetic constructions, where the minotaur is recognized and would later becomea wake-up call to society to take responsibility for the monsters it creates.