Montalvo and Pierre Menard: différance and dissemination of Don Quixote in Latin America

Abstract

The literary legacy of Cervantes, especially through Don Quixote, is undeniable and influential in universal literature. This essay explores how two Latin American writers, Juan Montalvo and Jorge Luis Borges, interpret and reinterpret Cervantes’ work in their own texts, Capítulos que se le olvidaron a Cervantes and «Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote». It examines how these authors approach the Cervantine novel from different perspectives, focusing on reflection on virtue and morality, irony, and the creation of possible worlds. The importance of interpretation in reading is highlighted, conceived as a dynamic process of translation and interpretation. Additionally, the traditional concept of authorship is questioned, pointing out that Don Quixote transcends Cervantes’ ownership and belongs to the world. This approach challenges the paradigm of authorial singularity and opens the debate on the reception of universal works in Latin America. This will involve comparative literature and deconstruction work.