The Vehicles of Drunkenness in Uruguay's Post-Dictatorial Culture: A psychosociological look at the novel Arena by Lalo Barrubia.

Abstract

The field of psychosociology of literature explores the interaction between literature and the human mind, using tools from psychology, sociology, and literary criticism. From this perspective, literature is understood to reflect emotions, conflicts, and decisions that allow readers to immerse themselves in the characters' psychology.
The narrative ecosystem deployed by authors is not viewed as an isolated artistic expression but as a reflection of a subjective universe shaped according to the social norms and values of the moment. This perspective understands that literature can influence society by challenging norms and presenting new perspectives.
This interdisciplinary work examines the novel Arena by writer Lalo Barrubia (2004) from this perspective. It is an intense and disillusioned drama set in the post-dictatorial period of the transition to democracy in the 1980s in Uruguay. Uruguayan culture experienced a marked political division in this environment, with a right and left in conflict. During this crisis, a youth subculture influenced by punk emerged, seeking its own space for expression despite being rejected by both sides of the political spectrum.
The manifestations of this subculture were associated with drugs and delinquency, which led to police repression and the contestatory emergence of various youth movements. However, these practices and substances also configured a way of dealing with trauma and oppression.