Vigencia de La novela ecuatoriana, de Ángel F. Rojas

Abstract

After placing Ángel F. Rojas among the major literary essayists of his generation, the author underscores the validity of his critical work. Aside from the absence of an equally informed study on the Ecuadorian novel of the XXth Century, the author suggests that the merits of  Rojas’ work lie in the methodology he employs; in the fact his critical judgments are made based on aesthetic criteria, and on the hierarchy of works, defined according to their literary value; Rojas’ valuations are not impressionistic or biographical, nor are they adversely tainted by ideological bias. Rojas adheres to three basic traits of modern literary criticism: the limit, the establishment of hierarchies, and critical judgment based on the literariness of the works themselves. A good number of the author’s conclusions are still current, as are their significance in the national canon. Rojas’ text is seen as foundational in modern Ecuadorian literary criticism; it still maintains its pivotal position among the studies of the narrative production of the country.