Machismo y autoritarismo en "Martín Fierro"

It is almost commonplace to say that José Hernández' epic poem Martín Fierro (1872-1879) is a masterpiece not only of gaucho literature, but of the Hispano-American culture. It is obvious that the marginal condition of the gaucho is evident throughout almost all of Fierro's adventures, and that the protagonist's stoicism and integrity demonstrate the counterpart: an unjust and shameful social system. Therefore, I do not intend to disagree with this interpretation, but add some nuances and highlight certain contradictions by scrutinizing the marks that the central character leaves on both the sociocultural system and the historical circumstances within which it operates. Focused in this way, our protagonist turns out to be himself a condensation of the complex context in which he moves. The central character is certainly a victim, but also a victimizer, although he does not always seem conscious of his contradictions.