Constructions of the gaucho as vagrant and idle and as a born criminal: Portraits of Juan Moreira (Argentina, 19th and 20th centuries)

This article examines aspects of the discourse power by which figure Argentine gaucho was labeled as a “vagrant and idle” subject, based on study archetypical Juan Moreira. In particular, explores analyses carried out decades after his death, influenced theories Cesare Lombroso Nicola Pende. Born in 1829 killed at hands police 1874, Moreira became an emblematic personality local folklore. Although life has been subject extensive literary analysis, largely focused publication Eduardo Gutiérrez’s novelistic portrayal, there not much focus attempt to validate scientifically stigmatization using these Italian thinkers. text, therefore, readings during 20th century two doctors, José Ingenieros Nerio Rojas. methodological terms, triangulation techniques were used, taking vertices legislation place that time, interpretations made through transformation into film character, finally, aforementioned psychodiagnostic evaluations integration hypothetical environmental innate characteristics.