The "development" dilemma in the literary production of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries: Rethinking ideologies across literature

This chapter aims to explore the debate on "development theory" especially embodied in the dichotomy between "civilization" and "barbarism" in the literary production of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, by reading the ideological and political messages hidden in the most relevant works by classical authors in Latin American and postcolonial Anglophone literature. The chapter is structured into three main sections. Firstly, the author will draw an itinerary across the historical debate on "development", showing approaches and conceptualizations. Secondly, the author will explore the relationship between the political messages and ideological positions of significant authors and their works in the literary production of the selected period. To conclude, the author will set out the most relevant elements that reveal the link between the ideological debate on "development" and the literary production, suggesting new ways of interpretation for future researches.