Edgar Allan Poe, Machado de Assis, and Julio Cortázar: three views in conjunction on the short story

Abstract

Based on the essay “Kafka y sus precursores,” by Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), the present essay looks for coinciding views from Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), Machado de Assis (1839-1908), and Julio Cortázar (1914-1984) on that literary genre. A possible connection between the three writers, regarded as masters of the short story, is suggested having the Borgean essay as a starting point, while emphasizing the similarities of their views on what guides the artistic elaboration of the short stories. The confirmed relationship between Poe and Machado de Assis, and between Poe and Cortázar are emphasized, opening a door to the possibility of also thinking of a close relationship between Machado de Assis and Cortázar.