Roberto Arlt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roberto Arlt
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| Born | 26 April 1900 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | 26 July 1942 (aged 42) Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Resting place | Ashes scattered in Paraná River |
| Occupation | Novelist, dramatist and journalist |
| Language | Spanish |
| Subject | Argentine literature |
| Spouse | Carmen Antinucci (died in 1940); Elizabeth Shine |
| Children | Mirta Electra, Roberto |
Roberto Arlt (born April 26, 1900 – died July 26, 1942) was a famous writer from Argentina. He wrote novels, short stories, plays, and worked as a journalist. He was also known for being an inventor!
Contents
Life and Early Career
Roberto Godofredo Christophersen Arlt was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 26, 1900. His parents had moved to Argentina from other countries. His father was from what is now Poland, and his mother was from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. German was often spoken at home.
Roberto left school when he was only eight years old. After that, he taught himself many things by reading and learning on his own. He worked many different jobs, like being a clerk in a bookstore, a painter, a mechanic, and even a dock worker. These experiences helped him understand different parts of life in the city.
Becoming a Novelist
Arlt's first novel was called El juguete rabioso (which means Mad Toy). It was published in 1926. This book tells the story of a young person who tries to find their way in the world. The story shows the busy and sometimes messy life in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s.
His second novel, Los siete locos (The Seven Madmen), came out in 1929. This book was very different from other polite books written in Argentina at the time. It was raw and showed a more unusual side of life. Its sequel, Los lanzallamas (The Flame-Throwers), followed in 1931. Many people think these two books are his best work. He also wrote El amor brujo in 1932.
Journalism and Travel
Roberto Arlt was also very well known for his newspaper columns called "Aguafuertes" (which means "Etchings"). He wrote these columns for the Buenos Aires newspaper "El Mundo" from 1928 to 1942. In these columns, he shared his thoughts on the interesting and sometimes strange parts of everyday life in Argentina's capital city. He would write about public places and how people lived.
He also traveled for his journalism. In 1930, he wrote "Aguafuertes" from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1935, he spent almost a year traveling and writing in Spain and North Africa. He hoped to travel to the United States as a writer before he passed away.
Legacy and Influence
Roberto Arlt died on July 26, 1942, from a stroke.
Arlt had a huge impact on writers in Latin America, even on famous authors like Gabriel García Márquez. Some writers compare him to important figures in literature because he wrote about people who were often ignored, like those who were poor or seen as different. He is considered one of the most important writers who helped shape the modern Argentine novel. Many current writers say he influenced their work.
His novels have even been made into movies. Los siete locos became a film in 1974, and El juguete rabioso was made into a movie in 1985. His books have also been translated into English, allowing more readers around the world to enjoy his unique stories.
Novels
- El juguete rabioso (1926) (Mad Toy)
- Los siete locos (1929) (Seven Madmen)
- Los lanzallamas (1931) (The Flame-Throwers)
- El amor brujo (1932) (Bewitching Love)
Plays
- El humillado (1930)
- 30000 millones (1932)
- Prueba de amor (1932)
- Escenas de un grotesco (1934)
- Saverio el Cruel (1936)
- El fabricante de fantasmas (1936)
- La isla desierta (1937)
- Separación feroz (1938)
- África (1938)
- La fiesta del hierro (1940)
Short Story Collections
- El jorobadito (1933) (The Little Hunchback)
- El criador de gorilas (1941) (The Gorilla Handler)
Journalism Collections
- Aguafuertes porteñas (1933) (Etchings from Buenos Aires)
- Aguafuertes españolas (1936) (Etchings from Spain)
- Nuevas aguafuertes españolas (1960) (New Etchings from Spain)
See also
In Spanish: Roberto Arlt para niños
