Griselda Gambaro’s Theater: New Perspectives on Old Clashes

Abstract

In the play Del sol naciente (1984), of Griselda Gambaro, the character Suki dismantles the dominant discourse through her attitudes, both in the dialogues as in the play items. She takes it upon herself to speak of reflection and makes the power set up in case the Oban warrior, exit – literally – the scene before the end of the play. The oppressive power falls. Suki disposes of her geisha semblance - expected stereotype of oriental woman – and dresses as self, only herself, without any socially imposed attribute. She joins the semi-beings, “semi” meaning half being, almost nothing, that society has created (and continues to create) and, with them, finds her true body, her true place. I call this dismantling of Suki grotesque because the character manages to dismantle, wisely and quietly all socially oppressive elements. Through her ironic and questioning speeches, and she challenges and defies the established power, dismantling the dominant discourse.