IntroductionA popular theme in modern Argentine literature is the role of the gaucho. Today the concept of gaucho recalls the image of a courageous cowboy, but this was not always the case. Indeed, several authors have explored the evolution of the gaucho with their works, focusing on the gaucho in different time periods throughout history. Sarmiento's Gaucho According to Sarmiento, many of Argentina's problems were caused by rebel gauchos. The gauchos were barbaric, ignorant, uneducated and arrogant. His bad behavior and vigilant attitude prevented Argentine society from advancing towards a modern civilization. Sarmiento describes four different types of gaucho. First and foremost, El Rastreador is the most respected and extraordinary of all the gauchos. He is the seeker. It is your responsibility to track an animal, distinguish an animal's tracks from thousands of others, know whether the animal is free or traveling with a rider. According to the text, “the tracker is a serious and cautious character, whose statements are trusted by lower courts. The awareness of the knowledge he possesses gives him a certain reserved and mysterious dignity) (249). If you're trying to find someone, a locator can help you. Second, Sarmiento discusses the role of El Baquiano. The Baquian is a kind of guide. He knows the layout of the land, water, roads and forests better than anyone. “The Baquian always goes by his side. Modest and reserved as a wall; It's in all the secrets of the campaign; The fate of the army, the success of a battle, the conquest of a province, everything depends on him" (249). As part of the army, he is the right-hand man of... middle of paper... gauchos as a "rabble" for his crass behaviors. In one scene in this story, the gauchos punish the Unitarian for not wearing a mourning armband after the death of the dictator's wife. Their punishments include castration and sodomy. The gauchos carry out these punishments without a moment's hesitation, but to you and me this seems tremendously worrying. Conclusion The role of the gaucho is evidently very important in Argentine history. They represent a strong nationalist spirit in a country that has had to fight tirelessly for its freedom. They are initially considered brutal creatures, not humans. Over time, they evolved into bandits and are eventually seen as freedom fighters. Today we see the gaucho as the Argentine cowboy. It represents courage, honor and self-confidence.