The Silva-Dario Controversey

one writer to represent them in an anthology of world poetry, it is quite likely that they would come close to unanimity in their choice-a rare phenomenon in Latin America-and that it would be Ruben Dario. Dario's prestige, great as it was during his lifetime, has not diminished since his death, and it is improbable that, any future investigations or reappraisals will greatly affect it. His poetry is often used as a standard of excellence to evaluate the works of other contemporary poets. To say that such and such a poet is the equal of Dario in many or some respects is to praise him highly. However, along with the recognition implicit in the comparisons, one often finds a hint of annoyance and the insinuation that if the Nicaraguan luminary managed to outshine his contemporaries of other countries it could be attributed, at least in part, to fortuitous circumstances. This view is more often expressed by Colombian writers than by those of any other country. This is only natural, since Colombians all revere their own great Modernist poet, Jos6 Asunci6n Silva,' whose suicide at the age of thirty-one ended a literary career which might otherwise have been as brilliant as Dario's. Silva's Noc

Art · Cultural and Social Studies in Latin America