José Hernández's 'El Gaucho Martín Fierro' is a seminal work of Argentine literature, comprising two epic poems: 'El Gaucho Martín Fierro' (1872) and 'La Vuelta de Martín Fierro' (1879). It narrates the life and struggles of the eponymous gaucho, a figure symbolic of Argentine national identity and the untamed spirit of the Pampas. The poem critiques the social injustices and political pressures faced by the gauchos, depicting their forced conscription, displacement, and fight for freedom against a backdrop of societal change and frontier life. It remains a powerful commentary on nation-building and individual liberty.