Resumen

CASTILLO, Diana Hernández. Between vertical and horizontal lines. Symbolic death and suicidal self-destruction in La vida inútil de Pito Pérez. Káñina [online]. 2025, vol.49, n.1, pp.83-98. ISSN 2215-2636.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/rk.v49i1.64573.

In this article we analyze the suicidal self-destruction of the protagonist of the novel La vida inútil de Pito Pérez by the mexican writer José Rubén Romero (1890-1952). To do so, we resort to an interdisciplinary cross between literary studies and philosophy. Using as a theoretical reference the work of Adriana Cavarero Inclinations and taking up two frequent postures in the human being (upright and inclined) we will determine how “Humanity” (the post-revolutionary Michoacan society) stands as a great upright and verticalized entity that, with its false morals, customs and beliefs, leads and inclines Pito Perez to live (or prefer) situations that culminated in harmful and/or destructive events towards his person. Romero, being part of that “Humanity”, with his verticality further instigates Perez to opt for suicidal behavior through a “past-present” by manipulating his memories to (re)direct, and bend, his memories towards vices and corruption. In this way, it is possible to understand Pérez’s life as a long process of suicidal self-destruction provoked by various political-social agents and processes.

Palabras clave : José Rubén Romero; inclination; verticality; suicidal self-destruction; alcoholism and begging.

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