José Emilio Pacheco

José Emilio Pacheco[2†]

José Emilio Pacheco (June 30, 1939 - January 26, 2014) was a renowned Mexican poet, novelist, essayist, and translator[1†][2†]. Born and died in Mexico City, Pacheco is considered one of the major Mexican poets of the second half of the 20th century[1†][2†]. His literary culture and poetic sensitivity made him a prominent member of the so-called “Generación del Medio Siglo” or "Generation of the Half Century"[1†][3†].

Early Years and Education

José Emilio Pacheco Berny was born on June 30, 1939, at 183 Guanajuato Street in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City[4†]. He spent much of his childhood there before moving to the city of Veracruz, where he lived with his grandparents[4†].

His initiation into literature was due to two fundamental aspects. The first was the discovery of a large family library, and the second was the experience with Professor Moreno Tagle, whom he met when he was approximately fifteen years old[4†]. This professor guided him in his first readings and in understanding Mexican literature[4†].

However, his passion for literature began at a very young age, when at the age of 8 he attended a musical adaptation of Don Quixote de la Mancha, directed by Salvador Novo, at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City[4†]. According to his own words, that show revealed to him that the language in which he was born "can be for those who know how to use it, something similar to the music of the show, the colors of the clothes and the houses that illuminate the stage"[4†].

Pacheco was educated at the National Autonomous University of Mexico[4†][1†][5†]. He wrote several plays there that were never produced, and he edited (1957–58) the literary supplement of the review Estaciones[4†][1†][5†].

Career Development and Achievements

José Emilio Pacheco’s career was marked by a diverse range of roles, including that of a critic, novelist, short-story writer, translator, and poet[1†][2†]. After graduating from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Pacheco worked as the assistant editor for Revista de la Universidad de Mexico from 1959 until 1960[1†][6†]. He then served as an associate editor to La Cultura en Mexico before going on to teach literature at various institutions in the United States, England, and Canada[1†][6†][7†].

His first published work, a collection of short stories titled “La sangre de Medusa” (1958), shows the influence of Jorge Luis Borges[1†]. This was followed by “Los elementos de la noche” (1963), a collection of his poems and essays published in periodicals from 1958 to 1962[1†]. The poems of “El reposo del fuego” (1966) contemplate a world in disintegration, and the novel “Morirás lejos” (1967) documents the purges of Jews throughout history[1†].

“No me preguntes cómo pasa el tiempo” (1969) includes poems in which there is a nostalgic desire to relive the past, sometimes coupled with a fine sense of irony[1†]. The short stories in “El principio del placer” (1972) are united by the recurrent theme of anguish[1†]. In the poems of “Islas a la deriva” (1976), Pacheco reinterpreted history and mythology[1†].

Pacheco’s later books include “Ayer es nunca jamás” (1978), “Desde entonces: poemas 1975–1978” (1980), “Tarde o temprano” (1980), “Ciudad de la memoria: poemas 1986–1989” (1989), “La arena errante: poemas 1992–1998” (1999), and “Siglo pasado (desenlace): poemas 1999–2000” (2000)[1†].

His significant contributions to literature were recognized with numerous awards, including the Cervantes Prize in 2009, the highest accolade in Spanish letters[1†][2†]. He was elected by unanimous acclaim to the Mexican Academy (Academia Mexicana de la Lengua) on March 28, 2006[1†][2†]. He was also a member of The National College (El Colegio Nacional) since 1986[1†][2†].

First Publication of His Main Works

José Emilio Pacheco’s literary career is marked by a diverse range of works, including poetry, short stories, and novels. His works are celebrated for their profound cultural literacy, poetic sensibility, and innovative literary creations[1†][2†][8†].

Here are some of his main works:

• “Los elementos de la noche” (1963): This is a collection of his poems and essays published in periodicals from 1958 to 1962[1†][2†].
• “El reposo del fuego” (1966): The poems in this collection contemplate a world in disintegration[1†][2†].
• “Morirás lejos” (1967): This novel documents the purges of Jews throughout history[1†][2†].
• “No me preguntes cómo pasa el tiempo” (1969): This collection includes poems in which there is a nostalgic desire to relive the past, sometimes coupled with a fine sense of irony[1†][2†].
• “El principio del placer” (1972): The short stories in this collection are united by the recurrent theme of anguish[1†][2†].
• “Islas a la deriva” (1976): In this collection, Pacheco reinterprets history and mythology[1†][2†].

Pacheco’s works are characterized by their simple language, making them accessible to a wide range of readers[1†][2†]. His ability to respond to societal crises with innovative literary creations is exemplified in his collections[1†][8†].

Analysis and Evaluation

José Emilio Pacheco’s work is celebrated for its profound cultural literacy, poetic sensibility, and innovative literary creations[9†][7†][10†]. His poetry is known for its formal control and an inner, emotional involvement[9†][7†]. Pacheco’s work responds in a number of ways to a long-standing crisis in Mexican society[9†].

A common feature of his works is the constant renewal and re-evaluation, as he considered literature as dynamic and changing[9†][4†]. He perceived literature as something that moves, that changes, which led him to reread, improve and reconsider his own works, in a desire for self-criticism[9†][4†].

In his poem “The Lives of Poets”, Pacheco seems to have few direct influences, as this poem about the social marginalization of poets demonstrates[9†]. He’s not in search of originality at whatever cost — the modern intellectual’s fantasy[9†]. Here the prosaic, almost journalistic tone and noted lack of metaphor are coupled with a dark, dry humor, exemplified by the last three lines of the poem[9†]. This contrasts with the work of many great 20th-century Mexican poets who are known for their metaphysical perspective and highly figurative language[9†].

Pacheco appropriated other poetics and put them at the service of his own social and cultural interests, letting the world be grafted onto him, yet not losing his roots[9†]. In Pacheco’s work there’s just Pacheco; exactly what he needed to express himself[9†].

Personal Life

José Emilio Pacheco was married to Cristina Romo Hernández, a Mexican journalist and writer[4†]. They got married in 1962 and had two daughters, Laura Emilia and Cecilia[4†]. Pacheco was known for his belief in the popular character of writing, which he thought lacked a specific author and belonged to everyone[4†][3†].

He passed away on January 26, 2014, in Mexico City after suffering a cardiac arrest[4†][2†][11†]. His death marked the end of an era in Mexican literature. He is survived by his wife, Cristina, and their two daughters, Laura and Cecilia[4†][11†].

Conclusion and Legacy

José Emilio Pacheco’s legacy in the world of literature is profound and enduring. His work, characterized by its simple language and accessible style, addressed pressing issues of his time such as pollution, poverty, and government bureaucracy[1†][2†]. His later work adopted a simpler, more forthright approach that reinforced his concept of history as a cyclic series of events that continue to haunt humankind[1†][2†].

Pacheco’s contributions to literature were recognized with numerous awards, including the 2009 Cervantes Prize, the highest accolade in Spanish letters[1†][2†]. He was also praised by the Berlin International Literature Festival as "one of the most significant contemporary Latin American poets"[1†][2†].

Pacheco was a member of The National College since 1986 and was elected by unanimous acclaim to the Mexican Academy (Academia Mexicana de la Lengua) on March 28, 2006[1†][2†]. His works continue to be studied and admired for their depth and insight[1†][2†].

Pacheco’s belief in the popular character of writing, which he thought lacked a specific author and belonged to everyone, is a testament to his humility and dedication to his craft[1†][4†]. His work continues to inspire and influence writers and readers alike[1†][2†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: José Emilio Pacheco Berny[2†]
• Born: June 30, 1939, Mexico City, Mexico[2†][1†][2†]
• Died: January 26, 2014, Mexico City, Mexico (aged 74)[2†][1†][2†]
• Nationality: Mexican[2†][1†][2†]
• Occupation: Poet, novelist, short-story writer, literary critic, editor, translator, and journalist[2†][8†]
• Notable Works: “Los elementos de la noche”, “El reposo del fuego”, “No me preguntes cómo pasa el tiempo”, “Islas a la deriva”, “Los trabajos del mar”, “Miro la tierra”, “Ciudad de la memoria”, “La arena errante”, “Tarde o temprano: Poemas 1958-2009”, “Como la lluvia”, “La edad de las tinieblas”, “El espejo de los ecos”, “El viento distante y otros relatos”, “El principio del placer”, “La sangre de Medusa”, "Las batallas en el desierto"[2†]
• Notable Achievements: Pacheco was awarded the Cervantes Prize in 2009, the highest accolade in Spanish letters[2†][1†][2†]. He also received the Reina Sofía Award, Federico García Lorca Award, Octavio Paz Award, Pablo Neruda Award, Ramón López Velarde Award, Alfonso Reyes International Prize, José Fuentes Mares National Prize for Literature, National José Asunción Silva Poetry Award, Xavier Villaurrutia Prize, and the Golden Wreath Struga Poetry Evenings[2†]. He was elected by unanimous acclaim to the Mexican Academy (Academia Mexicana de la Lengua) on March 28, 2006[2†]. He was a member of The National College (El Colegio Nacional) since 1986[2†].

References and Citations:

1. Britannica - José Emilio Pacheco: Mexican author [website] - link
2. Wikipedia (English) - José Emilio Pacheco [website] - link
3. Biografías y Vidas - Biografia de José Emilio Pacheco [website] - link
4. Postposmo - Biography of José Emilio Pacheco: His life and works [website] - link
5. AP News - Mexican poet Jose Emilio Pacheco dies at age 74 [website] - link
6. Academy of American Poets - About José Emilio Pacheco [website] - link
7. Poetry Foundation - José Emilio Pacheco [website] - link
8. Encyclopedia.com - Pacheco, José Emilio (1939–) [website] - link
9. The Los Angeles Review of Books - Seven Poems by José Emilio Pacheco [website] - link
10. Medium - Cuaderno Reciclado by María Fernanda Torres - El principio del placer — José Emilio Pacheco [website] - link
11. The Guardian - José Emilio Pacheco obituary [website] - link