The feat of the forbidden. The desire in three stories of los amores equivocados by Cristina Peri Rossi

Abstract

Peri Rossi’s work is multifaceted and polythematic, however, a recurring theme in this is desire in its various demonstrations, because, as the Uruguayan writer herself says, “el deseo es el motor de la existencia”. A text in which this theme is fully addressed is the collection of stories Los amores equivocados (2015). This article analyzes three stories from the book: “Ironside”, “Todo iba bien” and “La Venus de Willendorf”. It is intended to demonstrate that in these stories desire is presented assuming a multiplicity of forms, which allow explaining a series of problems that are related to masculinities, gender violence and sexual dissidence. The desire in these stories is not achieved, so they are not stories of happy characters, but of individuals who are abruptly exposed to their weaknesses and shortcomings. In order to develop the study, the contributions of Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis, masculinity studies and feminist studies are used.