René Marqués facts for kids

Quick facts for kids René Marqués
René Marqués
Born	(1919-10-04)October 4, 1919 Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Died	March 22, 1979(1979-03-22) (aged 59) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation	Writer, playwright
Genre	Theatre, novels
Literary movement	Generación de los 50
Notable works	La Carreta

René Marqués (born October 4, 1919 – died March 22, 1979) was a famous Puerto Rican writer. He wrote many short stories and plays. He is known for his strong ideas about Puerto Rico's future.

Early Life and His Famous Play

René Marqués was born and grew up in Arecibo. From a young age, he loved to write. He also strongly believed that Puerto Rico should be an independent country. He thought it should not be controlled by any other nation.

In the 1940s, Marqués wrote his most famous play, La Carreta. This means "The Oxcart" in English. The play first opened in New York City in 1953. Then, in 1954, it was shown in San Juan. The play made him a very important writer.

La Carreta tells the story of a family from the countryside of Puerto Rico. They move to the poorer parts of San Juan. Later, they move to New York, hoping for a better life. But they find things are not as they hoped. They miss their island home very much.

The Generation of the 50s

René Marqués was part of a special group in Puerto Rico. It was called "La generación del 50" (The Generation of the 50s). This group included many smart Puerto Rican artists and writers. Some other members were Francisco Matos Paoli and Francisco Arriví.

In 1950, Marqués and others in the group worked for the Division of Community Education in Puerto Rico. This division helped educate people in communities. However, Marqués often disagreed with Luis Muñoz Marín, who became the governor.

Marqués believed Puerto Rico should be fully independent. He often criticized Governor Muñoz Marín. This was because the governor accepted the United States having control over Puerto Rico. Marqués felt that Puerto Rico should be its own country.

In 1954, a Puerto Rican director named Roberto Rodríguez produced La Carreta. The play was a big success in New York. Its popularity led Míriam Colón and Rodríguez to start the first Latino theater group. They called it "El Círculo Dramatico" (The Dramatic Circle). It even had its own small theater.

In 1955, Marqués wrote another play called Juan Bobo y la Señora Occidental. This means "Juan Bobo and the Western Lady."

In 1959, Marqués published three plays together in a book called Teatro (Theater). These plays included La Muerte no entrará en Palacio (Death will not enter the Palace). He also wrote Un Niño Azul para esa Sombra (A Blue Boy for that Shadow) and Los Soles Truncos.

Marqués also wrote an essay in 1960 about language in Puerto Rico. He felt that Puerto Rico needed to be fully independent. Only then could it solve problems with how children were taught in schools.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1965, the English version of The Oxcart was produced in New York. It was shown Off-Broadway, which means in smaller theaters. Míriam Colón played the main role again.

René Marqués passed away in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 22, 1979. He was 59 years old. To honor him, a school in Puerto Rico was named after him. Also, a large theater in the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan is called the René Marqués Theater.

Key Works by René Marqués

René Marqués wrote many different types of works. Here are some of his most well-known:

• Plays:
  • La Carreta (The Oxcart)
  • Juan Bobo y la Señora Occidental (Juan Bobo and the Occidental Lady)
  • Los Soles Truncos
  • La Muerte No Entrará en Palacio (Death Will Not Enter the Palace)
  • Un Niño Azul para esa Sombra (A Blue Boy for that Shadow)

• Novels:
  • La Víspera del Hombre
  • La Mirada

• Essays:
  • El Puertorriqueño Dócil (The Docile Puerto Rican)

• Short Stories:
  • Purificación en la Calle del Cristo

• Screenplays (for short films):
  • Juan Sin Seso (Brainless Juan)
  • Modesta

See also

In Spanish: René Marqués para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Rican writers
• Puerto Rican literature
• Puerto Rican Nationalist Party