This article proposes an epistemological and chronological delimitation which allow to organize and analyze the literature and drama produced in Valparaiso during the twentieth century. The categories of decadence, panopticism and nihilism that qualify to three historically located moments in which narrative and theatrical works have been produced in the city-port. In this way, we intend to relevance the production of cultural works from the differential imaginary of Valparaiso, as a case of possible analysis in other cities-ports in the southern cone of America