The city and the dogs- SUMMARY by chapters

The city and the Dogs It is the first novel by the Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa and was published in October 1963. This work is of great importance, since it became the beginning of a cycle of modernity in Latin American narrative. Along with other works by authors from this continent, they began the boomLatin American, one of the most important currents in the literature of the Spanish language.

In this lesson from a PROFESSOR we want to introduce you to the chapter summary of The city and the Dogs so that you know what its plot is and are encouraged to read it for yourself, in order to have the full experience. Ready? Well, here we go.

The first part of The city and the Dogs its titled the arrivaland it starts at the Leoncio Prado Military College, a military school in Lima, Peru. The main characters are the cadets who are preparing to become soldiers. The 3 young protagonists are Alberto Fernández, Jaime Barrientos and Ricardo Arana. The former is known for being an introverted and sensitive poet, while Jaime is impulsive and violent. On the contrary, Arana is the new one trying to fit into this hostile environment.

The poet has a hidden relationship with Teresa, a school employee, and Jaime blackmails him to get the girl's gun. Jaime reveals that his nickname is "Jaguar" and they put it on after seeing his ferocity and savagery in biting his opponent in a fight. The poet only wants to escape from that school because everything seems like a real brutality.

A few days later, Lieutenant Gamboa, who is an influential figure within the school, organizes a Boxing match between Jaguar and cadet Rulos. Jaime wins the match, but suffers serious injuries and has to be admitted to the hospital.

When he recovers and returns to school, the cadet Rulos is waiting for him to fight, as revenge for the boxing match he had lost. This time Curlers defeats Jaime and earns the respect of the other students. At the same time, Alberto receives an unfortunate letter from Teresa's love, in which the girl expresses her desire to leave the relationship.

In the last chapter of the first part of The city and the Dogs A party is organized at the school and all the cadets attend. Jaime, still convalescing, arrives at the party and challenges Rulos again. However, this situation is quickly forgotten, as a massive fight among all the students: all except the Poet, who reflects on his situation and his desire to leave school as soon as possible.

The second part of The city and the Dogs his name is The soldiers and starts when the poet is in a difficult situation after it is discovered that he has been stealing exams for the other cadets. The protagonist is interrogated and subjected to an internal school trial. During the trial, Lieutenant Gamboa saves him from being expelled and punishes him to do hard labor in the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, Alberto meets the black, a young Afro-Peruvian who becomes his friend. Through this unexpected friendship, the Poet begins to question the oppressive system and the racial inequality that exists in the school.

Later, in chapter XI of The city and the Dogs the forbidden love story hidden between the Lieutenant Gamboa and Arana's mother. Gamboa has been secretly visiting the young man's mother and this arouses the boy's jealousy and anger.

After serving in the kitchen for a while, the Poet and the Negro plan a run away from school, as they have been able to gather the items they need to escape. However, before the plan can be carried out, the cadets discover El Negro's intentions and brutally punish him, until he dies at the hands of Jaguar.

Alberto decides to abandon his escape plan and face the punishment that is proposed to him. In the trial for the death of El Negro, the Poet is questioned and blamed as an accomplice, but he remains firm and resist violence and the injustice of the military system. However, he refuses to expose those responsible and agrees to be expelled from school.

Lieutenant Gamboa feels very responsible for the death of El Negro and decides to Leave school to join the army.

When Alberto leaves school and faces the reality of the outside world, he experiences a mixture of relief to leave behind the oppressive system, but he also faces the feeling of being completely lost in life Finally, the poet reflects on his time at the school and how it has been led by violence and injustice. It is at that moment that he decides to write a poem in honor of the Negro and in protest against the military system.

The novel ends with a epilogue in which the end of days of each of the characters we have seen throughout the book is described.

Now you know the chapter summary of The city and the Dogs and you understand a little better this novel by Mario Vargas Llosa that marked a beginning in the world of literature in Latin America. If you are interested in continuing to learn about more relevant books, do not hesitate to consult our reading section, where we will accompany you on this exciting walk through books.

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• Brooks, S. EITHER. (2005). The City and the Dogs (The City and the Dogs).
• Lastra, P. (1965, January). A case of the narrative elaboration of concrete experiences in "The city and the dogs". In Annals of the University of Chile (No. 134, p. ág-211).