This essay takes up the problem of discussing working-class literature in a context marked by the absence of the term within Argentine literary studies. The discussion focuses on Argentine proletarian writer Elías Castelnuovo and his role in shaping how critics approach Argentine proletarian and working-class literature. The following discussion argues for the need to distance new approaches to Argentine working-class literature from the critical account molded throughout the 20th century. Without such distancing, it is difficult – if not impossible – to find proletarian and working-class literature worthy of discussion within Argentine letters. Although the essay looks closely at the case of Argentine national literature, the aim is to contribute to mapping working-class literature across the region and beyond.