Chastisement By The Lambs

err...Do you find the reverence for Earths beast to be a voice of pomposity?

I strongly disagree. The voice of the story (which seems consistent in different translations) is much more akin to humility than being pompous. The settings are often common, the characters are closer to Steinbeck than to Fitzgerald. SorRentino maximizes the smallest detail whether it be a mosquito, scorpion or umbrella man. Do you find the reverence for Earths beast to be a voice of perpetuity? [email protected]

i like the idea.. rather humorous, although the last line could be improved. "I thank You" just doesnt seem to work.

Comic, uplifting and skillfully tight story..Only negative, which I have also found with other translations of (particularly) Spanish and Italian texts(Calvino)- the English sounds so damn pompous!:)

Appalling. This text demonstrates how unwise it is for first year english language students to write short stories! To combine both pompous lexis and, although imaginative, a poorly executed plot, simply does not work. What I can only presume to be a scientific report at the start (emulating McEwans Enduring Love perhaps?) not only lacks reasoning, it lacks all sound grounding! No religious background information (after all, you are drawing reference to the bible, are you not?), and although I can understand the intention of using a more complex vocabulary, all that has been achieved is a sense the author has been over using Microsofts thesaurus and replace word with function! Disjointed, contrived yet somehow retaining the voice of lamb dressed as mutton..? I must congratulate you however on incorporating triadic structure, alliteration, similes to name a few; into your work. Next time, spend a little more time working out the chronological order. This really is a poor read.

Id have to agree with the last commentator: This short story stinks. There are numerous grammatical mistakes which makes it tedious to read. I forced myself to read the entire story just so I could cite my disgust. I gave this story a one. Fernando, just some advice: re-edit and resubmit the story. If I was your professor, youd recieve a failing grade for producing this gobbledeegook.

Why September 11 Street?

I think that the name of the street that Nefario lives on is called September 11th street for a reason. If you look carefully at the symbolism of the characters in the story, it fits into place. What I mean is that I think the story was written with the message that George W. Bush and the United States got what they deserved with the terrorist attacks. Nefario represents Bush, or simply any ignorant, self important, rich American, and his wife symbolizes the countries who support Bush with his declaration of war on Terrorism, mainly The U.K. and/or Tony Blair. The lambs represent the attacks..but not the terrorist. They are neutral in that sense- being neither good, nor evil, they are simply the fate that is waiting for all greedy people. And the Narrator stands for all small countries that have been punished by Bushs hand. If this story was not written with this intent, I find it extremely coincidental if that is the case. Also, a question to several of the commentaries above, criticizing the grammatical aspect of the story, I ask you this: Is grammar really the basis of short story? Is the theme, symbolism and underlying message not more meaningful if not crucial to its success? I was also wondering if you are proffessors, (one of you mentioned something like that) and if anyone knows if anyone can submit their work to this site so that is can by analysized, so that I may be able to submit something.

I personally liked this story, in contrast to some of the comments that i have read...I felt that this story worked because, after reading it, people actually responded. Thank you for an interesting read.

The previous analysis is quite interesting! Thanks for sharing your perspective. Whether that was the authors intention, such comtemporary analysis/parallelism makes this story more substantive and interesting. Additionally, I agree that the true value and depth of a written work is in its content, not superficial features like typos, etc. And for those who have criticized the Author (Fernando) for English grammar mistakes, perhaps you should have read more carefully and noticed that Fernandos story was translated into English by others.

The author of this story is full of corn.

Just wanted to add something to the earlier comment that Nefario is meant to symbolize Bush/US government, etc. I noticed that the story specifically says there are 50 lambs involved in the chastisement, which is of course the number of US states. So if we do want to interpret this as an anti-Bush message, Id propose that the message isnt that well be attacked by the rest of the world, but that the American people will tolerate greed, lies, and misinformation from their government/president for only so long. As for the other comments above, I suppose Ive read enough translated literature that the word choice sounded very natural to me -- I considered it a pleasant part of the storys style (and Im an editor by profession). I thought the beginning of the piece could have used a bit of polishing; it was a bit repetitive. But Id say this was a good piece, especially in the context of the Sept 11 interpretation.

I have just read the comments to my short story "Chastisement by the Lambs". Naturally, I do not intend to make an opinion on the literary criterion of the readers who have kindly shown an interest in the relative merits or lack of merits of the story. However, let me point out to those imaginative readers who expect to find I do not what curious symbolism in the name of Mr. Nefario´s home street, 11th of September, the following information, in the hope that it may help them return to some form of common sense. I wrote that story, with the Spanish title of "La Corrección de los Corderos", possibly at the end of 1978. It appeared for the first time on the literary supplement of the Buenos Aires newspaper LA NACIÓN the 30th of September of 1979. It was then included in the collection of short stories EN DEFENSA PROPIA (In self defense), (Editorial de Belgrano, Buenos Aires, July 1982). Translated into German with the title "Die Lämmerjustiz", it appeared in the book VON SKORPIONEN UND ANDEREN ALLTAGSGEFAHREN (Hainholz, Göttingen, March 2001). Therefore, if my computations are right, the terrorist attack against the Twin Towers took place: a) six months after the book had appeared in German; b) nineteen years and two months after publication of the Argentinian book; c) twenty-two years after the story was read on the newspaper LA NACIÓN; d) twenty-three years after it had been written. Kind regards, Fernando Sorrentino Buenos Aires, April 2003

A suggestive story with plenty below the surface. Beats most everything else thats around - hands down. As to the language: its not pompous. Not everbody needs to write with third graders in mind. There is prose after Hemingway.

It is truly fascinating, as well as appalling, that certain self-styled literary critics take it upon themselves to "interpret", with complete self-assurance, the symbols they think they see in a work of fiction. Ive read the comments that see in the street name, September 11, a reference to the horrific terrorist attack on that date in 2001, and the 500 lambs as representing the 50 United States. This might have been a reasonable, if highly superficial, inference to make, except that if those "critics" had taken the trouble to do a little research, they would have found that the original story in Spanish was published in 1978, 23 years before the cowardly attacks on our country! The fact that the story was published almost a quarter of a century before the event obviates the possibility of that terrorist attack, unless, of course, they think Sorrentino is some kind of prophet who speaks in parables, or that he is the Oracle of Delphi. Now, if the story had been written, say, yesterday, it might be reasonable to use that Sept. 11 reference and the 50 lambs equal the United States. However, lambs, mild-mannered animals who go without protest to their slaughter, traditionally symbolize the victims of the world. In this story, they behave more like wolves, but their victims, according to the narrator, are evil, oppressors of the poor, etc. So that an interpretation more in keeping with what is actually in the short story would more likely make the lambs righteous avengers. And if they represent the 50 states, that would indicate that the U.S., ordinarily a peace-loving nation, can finally be aroused to attack the oppressors (the Axis of Evil?) and destroy them. If these critics want to be more specific, more allegorical, they can have Mr. Nefario (his name means "nefarious") as Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, and his wife as Saddam Hussein and his Saddamites. But of course, this would all be in the critics head, since the story was written 23 years before the infamous Sept. 11 in question. Too often, self-styled critics who dont do their homework, do not really analyze the work of fiction to see what the author is really saying and the literary devices he/she employs to produce the effects, but merely use the work of fiction as a springboard for their own flights of fancy, their own agendas, leaving the work of fiction in the dust. One might say they create their own work of fiction, greatly inferior to the work they supposedly are analyzing. I know Sorrentino personally. Hes a fine writer with a subtle sense of humor. Hes also a good and decent person. But he is not a soothsayer.

Sorrentino has been sent by G_d. I just finished the old testament numerology and I am certain.

Personally, I liked the story a lot. One mans poison is another mans juice.

I am quite amazed by some of the commentators lack of generousity (if not their lack of good judgement) on a story which appears to be effective on a number of levels. I would like to just say something, however, about the September 11th allegory - I dont think, given the rather surreal nature of this tale that the "authors intention" should dictate and repress the very valid interpretations of the text brought up by some of the readers here. Its remarkable relevance as a US allegory WORKS perfectly whether the author intended that to be so or not. Mr Sorrentinos influence over his story, like any authors, ended the moment he finished writing it - its relevance, power and meaning is then determined by its READERS whether he likes it or not. Rather than be churlish and pedantic about it, an author should be rather pleased that their work (accidentally or not) got its audience to reflect and explore new ideas - which is, after all, the very reason we want to read in the first place. J. J. Kennedy, London

With reference to a comment above, it would seem that a number of people have interpretted this story as an allegory for September the 11th. You may argue that the authors intention is irrelevant if the interpretation is viable, but then on viewing the readings above it would seem that the whole interpetation is based on a coincidence of date and house number. A whole series of tenuous and imaginative supporting factors have then been read into the piece. Surely when you find yourself saing the lambs represent the rest of the world... or maybe the terrorists.... or possibly the 50 states of America its time to give up on your weak hypothesis. NOT EVERYTHING IS TO DO WITH SEPTEMBER THE 11TH. It would be nice to read anyhting about New York, or the number 11, or September, without someone wittering even more poignant given the events of 9/11 immediately. Lots of bad things have happened before, and lots of bad things will happen in the future. But the world will be a better place when everyone gets over this particular fixation.

El trujamán Jueves, 7 de agosto de 2003 Cómo 11 de Septiembre no significa September 11 o El arte de leer lo que no está escrito en ningún lugar Por Fernando Sorrentino Al noreste de la ciudad de Buenos Aires se alza el barrio de Belgrano. En él, entre otras muchas calles, corren dos, paralelas y casi gemelas, cuyos nombres recuerdan fechas de batallas de las guerras civiles argentinas: 3 de Febrero y 11 de Septiembre. Estas calles y sus nombres existen, digamos, desde siempre: son anteriores a mi nacimiento y, si algún funcionario imbécil no las rebautiza, me sobrevivirán tal cual. Cierta vez escribí un cuento titulado «La Corrección de los corderos». En tal ficción, un escarnecido traductor es vengado, gracias a los buenos oficios de cincuenta corderos carnívoros, de los abusos cometidos por un desconsiderado editor, que no le paga en tiempo y forma las traducciones que aquél había realizado. El editor carga con el nombre de Nefario y vive en la calle 11 de Septiembre; los cincuenta corderos lo asesinan y lo devoran, y el protagonista —no por trujamán menos rencoroso— se siente vindicto, satisfecho, reconfortado y agradecido a los corderos. Aquí termina el cuento. Traducido al inglés por Gustavo Artiles y Alex Patterson con el título de «Chastisement by the Lambs», fue publicado en la revista virtual londinense East of the Web (http://www.eastoftheweb.com/). En el costado izquierdo del texto es posible abrir una ventana que registra los anónimos comments de los no menos anónimos lectores. Yo la he abierto, y trataré de poner en español unos pocos pasajes de los que allí aparecen en inglés. Las glosas se desencadenan cuando, el 13 de marzo de 2003, un lector formula la hamletiana pregunta Why September 11 Street? Sin que transcurriese ni siquiera un día, obtuvo esta respuesta: Creo que el nombre de la calle donde vive Nefario se llama 11 de Septiembre por una razón. Si se observa con cuidado el simbolismo de los personajes del cuento, esto encaja bien. Lo que quiero decir es que yo pienso que el cuento fue escrito con el mensaje de que George W. Bush y los Estados Unidos recibieron lo que merecían con los ataques terroristas. Nefario representa a Bush, o simplemente a cualquier norteamericano ignorante, pagado de sí mismo y rico, y su mujer simboliza a los países que apoyan a Bush en su declaración de guerra al terrorismo, principalmente el Reino Unido y/o Tony Blair. Los corderos representan los ataques, pero no los terroristas. En tal sentido, ellos son neutrales; ni buenos ni malos, son simplemente el destino que le espera a toda la gente codiciosa. Y el narrador representa todos los países pequeños que han sido castigados por la mano de Bush. Si el cuento no fue escrito con esta intención, lo encuentro, en tal caso, en extremo coincidente (...). Pero los escolios no concluyen aquí, pues el 6 de abril llega este nuevo aporte: Sólo quería agregar algo al comentario anterior de que Nefario simboliza a Bush, al gobierno de Estados Unidos, etc. Observo que el cuento específicamente dice que los corderos que participan en el castigo son cincuenta, número que, por supuesto, es el mismo de los Estados Unidos. Entonces, si quisiéramos interpretar esto como un mensaje antiBush, yo propondría que el mensaje no consiste en que nosotros seremos atacados por el resto del mundo, sino que los norteamericanos tolerarán la codicia, las mentiras y la desinformación de su gobierno/presidente por sólo cierto tiempo. (...) Pero yo diría que [el cuento] es una buena pieza, especialmente en el contexto de la interpretación del 11 de septiembre. Según parece, los atentados terroristas ocurrieron el 11 de septiembre de 2001. Y, si yo no escribo bajo los efectos de algún alucinógeno, puedo afirmar que «La Corrección de los Corderos» se publicó por primera vez el domingo 30 de septiembre de 1979 en el suplemento cultural del diario La Nación, de Buenos Aires, y fue luego incluido en el volumen En defensa propia (Buenos Aires, Editorial de Belgrano, 1982, págs. 59-65). Es decir, con una antelación de casi un cuarto de siglo. De manera que, al traducir erróneamente cierto 11 de Septiembre por otro cierto September 11 que ninguna relación tiene con aquél, ambos exegetas anglófonos han logrado la hazaña de leer lo que no está escrito en ninguna parte.

People seemed to have forgotten about stream of consciousness, and reading for sheer pleasure. Sorrentinos wry humour and his fine eye for detail are very pleasing. Dabo

imaginative but in a stupid type way. it was not as bad as many Ive read but it will certainly not get a five star rating from me thank you very much. it needs more description not just this happened which led to this and then it was done. More description people!

Sometimes, its amusing to see that some short stories tend to be shorter stories than the comments they generate ;D ...

I just spent ages on multimap determined to find the european city that had a strett/place named Septembre 11th because I was insightful enough to realise "it was not about the oil, stoopid" However having trailed round the web for ages (albeit with success) I later realised I had not been bright enough to read all the comments; in particular from the author himself stating the story is not about the americans and that other events may have occurred and may yet continue to happen on September 11th. Great story, btw. Hope all you critics are writing your own to be published.

The "Chastisement By the Lambs" is a very original story. Very few authors write anything that has not already been told and at the same time give a moral to the reader. This is the one of the best morals you could write about and to include something like man-eating sheep is a great idea. By: David Rheinwald

One street in Buenos Aires is ACTUALLY called 11 de Septiembre, because of the 11 Sept. 1852 revolution. Fernando Sorrentino was born in BA in 1942 and writes for the BA-based newspaper La Nacion. Not everything is about the US of A. As a short note to those who dont like the language used by the author, i strongly recommend the original text.

Fun to watch people read way too much into things...and if it was such a horrible story, as some implied, then why do you find yourselves arguing about it? HMMM? Hows that for pompous?

I like the symbolism and the idea, even if I think the main character is too joyous at the end.

Seems alot like the birds from Hitchcock. This story needed alittle more victems to have an ongoing theme. Still well done none the less.

haha, after reading the comments in english and the one in spanish, i find myself seriously confused by the line especialmente en el contexto de la interpretación del 11 de septiembre. anyway, in my opinion, everyone here was far too influenced by their highschool english teachers and should go back and read the scarlet letter without paying any attention to the damn door at the beginning. Enough critiquing the critiques... As for the story, it was wonderful. My only concern is that it starts out in this official report context, and with the initial "digression," it never goes back. This is a simple structural flaw, otherwise, a wonderful story! ¡bién hecho!

Yes, it does remind you of Alfred Hitchcocks "The Birds." Hitchcock was attacking complacency, though. This author is attacking, I believe, anyone more fortunate than he is - if you can apply the same logic Hitchcock employed - but the result is despicable. I did not like, and was appalled by, this story.

Appalled? You people need to get a life. To get so angry and disgruntaled over such a thing is funny. The story was a good one. Given, not the best one Ive ever read, but a good one. I found it clever, and funny. I can, and will, only say good things about this piece. If you people have such genious, how about spending your time writing your own short-stories and send them to this site. And if you have any time after that to sit here and find every grammatical error in someone elses piece, get a job.

i think the title should not be chastisement but correction as in original version, not to refeering to morals and religion but only to violence (theres no judgement and justice in this text...)

I truly liked this story. It was very funny and a good idea.
Those, you snobs of language who have ciritisized the use of English in this story - the story is not in words but what is behind the words. And it fully comes out in this story. Words are like the finger that points at the Moon not the Moon itself. This is an old Chinese saying and it is about writing poetry but can be applied to the writing of prose as well.
I have read many famous writers who know how to put masterful words together but whose stories are really deadly boring because there is no vision or energy behind their mastercake of words.
I liked this story a lot. Author - do not listen to the snobic critics.
Melinda, London

From beginning to end, very nicely written. Just perfect.

Ay, cielos, people. I for one choose to believe that Sr. Sorrentino is a little bit better than to ruthlessly bash a whole country, much less say that thousands of people "deserved" to be murdered. Why cant people just appreciate the story for what it is- an interesting, creative, and overall satisfying story- without transforming it into a vicious attack with their biased views?
Muchas gracias y buen trabajo,
Kat

I didnt read the story, but Ill just come right out and say it: "carniverous lambs"... Come on, you gotta love that!
Meat-eating herbivores! Damn, why didnt I think of that ?

read parts of it: wonderful. Very dreamy hallucinatory like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I think to appreciate the piece, readers should definitely read some Marquez to get a sort of reference.
Marquez had images of winged old men and arachnid women in his short stories. In that sense, this work exudes the same kind of disorienting, reality-suspending disbelief. Its good stylistically and again, just the notion of carnivorous lambs wreaking havoc and exercising gruesome blood-soaked justice is outrageous and hilarious.

Para Kat:
Te agradezco tus amables comentarios.
Si quieres, puedes escribirme (en inglés) al CONTACT AUTHOR, y yo te responderé en seguida.
All the best,
FS

great story. loved it till the end.Who would have thought of a lamb eating flesh.
susan, fiji Islands

That was beautiful.
On thanksgiving eve what a fiting tale to devour.
beautiful,

Theres a movie out there now about killer lambs...
any relationship to this story?

thanks
g.

Very funny and very clever! An extremely refreshing read- yummy!

Just wonderful! where are those pesky lambs when I need them?

I enjoyed reading the story. Good original idea.

The only bit I wasnt too sure about what our position of the hero in Nefarios house. The lambs went upstairs, but he was downstairs and resisted Mrs. Nefarios. I thought he remained downstairs, but then he could see Nefario being eaten. I just didnt get the sense of him moving about in the house.

Other than that, thoroughly good read!

i enjoy food

Wow, what a bunch of loons! This story was written over twenty years ago!

I had a wonderful time reading through your story. Through using simplistic techniques you managed to create a very stylized piece, with a tone that fit the mood of the story. The thought of insta-Karma that is enforced via a mob of mystical and bloodthirsty sheep had me rolling on the floor with laughter. For anyone interested in this line of thought, look to “Black Sheep”

what a fail

i did not understand the story!!! i thought it was
lame!!! so nobody read this storyy!!!