Fictions of the Sacrifice Zone:

Anthropocene and the Periphery Horror in 'Distância de Resgate' by Samanta Schweblin

Abstract

This article delves into the intersection of contemporary horror and the Anthropocene phenomenon in the work of Argentine writer Samanta Schweblin. Firstly, it explores the intrinsic connection between horror and climate change, highlighting how genre literature can reflect and respond to the ecological challenges of today's era. Schweblin, in turn, employs specific spatiality in her narratives, focusing on the monocultures of transgenic soybeans in rural Argentina, which can be framed under the concept of Sacrifice Zone. This choice not only provides a vivid backdrop but also serves as a means to problematize chronotopes, a concept introduced by Mikhail Bakhtin, especially the classical chronotopes of horror from the global north, characterized in the text as operating on the periphery of horror. The article then analyzes how Schweblin develops a unique horror literature that challenges the colonial history of Latin America from a transversal and systemic perspective, connecting bodily, social, and environmental dimensions. Her writing evokes a sense of estrangement and unease, delving into the complexities of human and ecological relationships in the era of the Anthropocene. By situating her narratives in a Latin American context, Schweblin offers a distinctive perspective on the devastating effects of colonialism and human exploitation on the environment. In summary, Schweblin's work not only provides an original insight into contemporary horror but also serves as a reflection on the interactions between humanity, nature, and power in an increasingly human-dominated world.