Desencuentro
Anibal Troilo
The Bitter Disillusionment of Life: An Analysis of 'Desencuentro' by Anibal Troilo
Anibal Troilo's song 'Desencuentro' delves deep into the theme of disillusionment and betrayal. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels lost and disoriented, unable to find the right path in life. This sense of confusion is exacerbated by a profound loss of faith, symbolized by the metaphor of wanting to cross the sea but being unable to do so. The imagery of a spider that bites after being saved and a man who harms after being helped underscores the theme of betrayal by those who were trusted.
The song further explores the idea of societal hypocrisy and the futility of seeking genuine connections. The carnival, a symbol of joy and celebration, becomes a place where the protagonist's fraternal hand is trampled upon. This stark contrast highlights the cruelty and indifference of the world. The mention of God being distant and the betrayal by a brother adds a layer of existential despair, suggesting that even divine and familial bonds are unreliable.
The lyrics also touch on the pain of unrequited love and the mockery of genuine emotions. The protagonist's tender feelings are met with scorn and hatred, leading to a deep sense of bitterness. The final lines of the song encapsulate the ultimate disillusionment, where the protagonist realizes that their belief in honesty and morality was naive. The mention of the 'final shot' not even working signifies a complete and utter failure in life, leaving the protagonist in a state of hopelessness.