Dobles identidades en “El Impostor”, de Silvina Ocampo.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the presence of the doppelgänger figure in the short story "El impostor" by Silvina Ocampo, a key author in Argentine fantastic literature. Using an analytical-interpretive methodology, the research investigates how the writer employs the doppelgänger to explore the fragility of human identity. This research is justified by the limited studies on Ocampo’s narrative in Brazil, suggesting her work deserves greater visibility in our country. To theoretically support our research, we draw upon authors such as Barrenechea (1957), Borges (1967), Todorov (1970), and Roas (2001; 2014), among others. The study is divided into two chapters. The first addresses classical and contemporary definitions of the fantastic, as well as its central themes, particularly the concept of the doppelgänger. It also contextualizes fantastic literature in Argentina, highlighting explorations of the double in Ocampo’s writing. In the second chapter, we present the life and work of the Argentine author, emphasizing her uniqueness. We then discuss some studies on “El impostor” and analyze its narrative elements, examining how the doppelgänger manifests within the story. The research findings reveal that the use of the double in "El impostor" serves as a fundamental means of deepening the psychological complexities of the characters, highlighting the fragility of identity. We confirm that Ocampo is a prominent figure in fantastic literature whose literary works deserve wider recognition. We hope this study will inspire further readings of the Argentine writer’s work.