Week 12 - My Tender Matador, Pedro Lemebel - Nicholas Latimer - On the Truth in Performance & Politics of the Pose.

Lemebel’s writing was very interesting to read this week, juggling some heavy themes while sharing a meaningful perspective of the realities of revolution, but also a movement for social justice. While shining light on similar complexities he would have endured in his own life we are given a small window into the lives of the courageous minds, and charismatic personalities behind the revolutionary movements in 20th-century Chile. The story was super engaging despite dealing with concepts most modern readers (myself included) have not personally met. However, there were many ways that we are presented with timeless themes, and invited to empathize with the characters we follow throughout the story. There was one example of such a timeless theme I wanted to discuss this week which I have expanded on below.

Reflecting on “the politics of the pose” - or perhaps the “truth” which lies beneath it, Dr. Poblete makes a fascinating point in this week's conversation video, about the near irony of the plot, whereby “posing becomes paradoxically a way through which certain true things develop”. Here he refers to the actual relationship that begins to form between Carlos and the queen (as Carlos pretends not to be falling in love with the queen, who by contrast, “pretends to be stupid” and unaware of the political climate -  while falling deeply in love with this ‘guillera’). This trope reflects another “true” change, despite a world of posing, whereby the queen becomes more and more involved in the political world after her former avoidance. As we first hear: “It frightened her just to listen to that radio station that reported only bad news” (7)... Which later becomes a complete commitment to supporting Carlos, never demanding answers to the “why” or “what” was behind his extensive needs. As we’re explained early on in one particular instance at a checkpoint crossing, Carlos demands: “Do it for me, I’ll explain later”... “But Carlos never explained anything; that's how he was … But she did as he asked…” (15) which later became: “After listening to this radio station so often she had finally gotten used to it … Even more so: …  Sergio Campos’s voice sounded like a reassuring balm in the darkness of battle”.   At the same time, Carlos, a man not necessarily involved in the politics of a queer agenda - is faced with greater feelings of empathy, or at least some degree of reflection on his own philosophies of politics as he gets more deeply involved with the queen - who was initially meant to be just used as a convenient means to an end. 

Perhaps what makes this so interesting to me is understanding how relevant this concept of political philosophy - or “political politics” as it's referred to in this context - remains today in the era we previously determined to be “post-truth”. I can see reflections even in my own (much less political) life,  where the things I tend to care most about vary depending on my personal connection and closeness to them. It is not hard to understand that many of the values I have, may even be drawn from connections that were drawn while “posing” in one way or another leading to real changes in perspective. 

Although I wish I had more time to flesh out my ideas about this idea, I want to know your thoughts! My question this week is: do you think the “true relationship” between the queen and Carlos is more or less meaningful, grounded on its initial “lies”? Moreover, can you think of any other examples of “truths” that emerged out of the “performances” in this story?


Comments

  1. Daniel OrizagaApril 3, 2023 at 8:45 PM

    Thank you for your insightful comment. I am glad to know that the conversation with Dr. Poblete has left you with some questions about the novel. In fact, the text demands a lot from us readers also because a lot is barely hinted at, because as in any act of seduction we have to go looking for gestures about what we want to communicate. Politics is at the center of the plot, although there are no debates on particular positions. In fact, as you well noted, it seems that the explanations will come "later". But that "after" is beyond the end of the novel. What remains open is the possibility, not a fixed answer on the part of the author.

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  2. katherineApril 3, 2023 at 10:14 PM

    I also enjoyed the conversation with Dr. Poblete. It really focused my attention on the political core of this book.
    I do think there was something deep in that relationship, I don't think it was entirely superficial. It seemed like La Loca genuinely loved Carlos- the debate is whether that love was reciprocal. I don't really know how to classify relationships based on meaningfulness, but the one profiled in this book is definitely profound. The "acting" necessitated by the political setting definitely adds layers of complexity that requires significant resilience from both partners.

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  3. ClandestinoApril 5, 2023 at 10:10 PM

    Hi there,

    thank you sharing your post with us!

    To answer your question about the meaning relation based on lies, I think it was a meaningful relationship that was based on the quality of company, though many lies surrounded it. Both characters ends up supporting each other even though both were unsure of what was going to happen to each other. I think that displays a meaningful relationship.

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