19th Century Spanish Society and Literature
19th Century Spanish Society
Political Instability and European Influences
The 19th century in Spain was marked by political instability, with frequent changes in government and wars. While Spain evolved alongside other European countries, it did so at a slower pace and with some delay. The Romantic movement, for example, arrived later and had a less profound impact on Spanish society compared to other nations. This can be attributed to several historical circumstances:
- During the War of Independence (1808-1814), Napoleon Bonaparte pitted liberal reformers against absolutists. After the war, the coronation of Ferdinand VII led to the restoration of absolutism, forcing liberals into exile.
- In 1820, an uprising briefly established a liberal government, but it ended in 1823 with the return of Ferdinand VII and the exile of liberals once again.
- Culturally, the early decades of the 19th century saw the continuation of Neoclassicism, with pre-Romantic expressions emerging in Andalusia and Catalonia. The first Romantic review in Spain appeared in Barcelona, reflecting a blend of European Neoclassicism and traditional Romanticism.
- Romanticism gained traction in Spain after 1833, following the implementation of a parliamentary constitutional system and the return of exiled liberals who had been exposed to European Romanticism.
- Realism and Naturalism spread through Spain later than in Europe. Realism didn’t flourish until the revolution of 1868, while Naturalism’s influence became noticeable around 1880.
- The 1868 revolution marked the rise of the bourgeoisie and the fall of Queen Isabella II, who was exiled to France. The ensuing “Sexenio Democrático” was a revolutionary period that failed to establish a stable social order.
- The restoration of the monarchy in 1875 under Alfonso XII led to a two-party system, with the Conservative and Liberal parties peacefully alternating in power.
Cultural Divide: Traditionalists vs. Liberals
The cultural landscape reflected the divide between traditionalists and liberals. Traditionalist Catholic forces were wary of revolutionary changes and scientific advancements, as exemplified by the writings of Jaime Balmes. Among liberal currents, Krausism played a significant role, promoting a secular and modern education that influenced writers like Galdós and Clarín.
19th Century Spanish Literature
Romanticism
Romanticism brought a renewed focus on literary language and a celebration of national identity. Romantic writers rejected Neoclassical rules, mixing genres and embracing emotional expression. The Romantic style often exhibited sentimental exaltation and, at times, excessive sentimentality or bombast.
Realism and Naturalism
Realism and Naturalism aimed to depict the realities of contemporary life, focusing on social and psychological details. The literary style favored simplicity and incorporated colloquial language.
Literary Genres
Poetry
Romanticism revitalized lyrical poetry and theater, granting artists freedom to combine or create new genres. Two main poetic tendencies emerged: intimate lyrics expressing personal feelings and ideals, and narrative poetry with historical and legendary themes. Romantic poets experimented with form, introducing new structures and reviving forgotten ones. Lyrical themes revolved around emotions (love, sadness, loneliness) and aspirations (freedom, social/political critique), often drawing inspiration from nature. Notable Romantic poets include Schiller, Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, Pushkin, and Leopardi.
In Realism and Naturalism, poetry took a backseat due to the emphasis on descriptivism. Lyrical poetry explored everyday subjects with a prosaic style, often incorporating a reflective and judgmental tone.
Narrative
Romanticism saw the development of three types of novels:
- The historical novel, inspired by historical and legendary events, often set in the Middle Ages and reflecting a fascination with exoticism, mystery, and escapism. In Spain, Larra was a prominent figure in this genre.
- The sentimental psychological novel, which achieved great success in France and England.
- The social novel, offering a critical view of reality and portraying the struggles of the disadvantaged. Victor Hugo excelled in this genre.
In Realism, the novel became the preferred genre for depicting the new bourgeois society. Characters from all social classes were featured, with the bourgeoisie taking center stage. Realistic novels emphasized believable stories and credible characters. Authors often adopted an omniscient point of view and included commentary to influence the reader’s opinion.
Naturalist novelists focused on marginalized environments and social conflicts, often reflecting their own ideologies and advocating for social change.
Theater
Romantic theater was dominated by drama, aiming to evoke strong emotions in the audience (Shakespeare, Lope de Vega, and Calderón). Romantic dramas were characterized by:
- Mixing of tragic and comic elements.
- Variable number of acts and disregard for the three unities (time, place, action).
- Conflicts between individuals and their environment, often set in medieval settings.
- Themes of love and freedom, with heroes challenging social norms, often leading to tragic endings.
Realism and Naturalism brought about the rise of bourgeois comedy of manners, addressing contemporary issues and faithfully reproducing everyday environments. Naturalistic theater, with its critical perspective and innovative staging, proved to be more impactful (Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov).
Notable Spanish Authors
Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885)
A leading figure in the Galician Rexurdimento (cultural revival), Rosalía de Castro is known for her lyrical poetry collections “Follas novas” and “Cantares gallegos”, which express nostalgia and melancholy. Her work represents the intimate side of Romanticism. “Cantares gallegos” incorporates traditional Galician lyricism, with rhythmic and singable verses.
Jacint Verdaguer (1845-1902)
A prominent figure in the Catalan literary renaissance, Jacint Verdaguer, also known as Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer, was a priest and poet whose work often explored religious themes, earning him recognition as a mystic poet. Today, he is celebrated for both his epic and secular poetry. His style blends popular and cultivated language, creating a unique and accessible voice.
Jose Maria Iparraguirre (1820-1881)
The 19th century marked a revival of Basque literature, with Jose Maria Iparraguirre gaining fame for his poetic compositions, including “Gernikako Arbola”. He was a musician and poet who participated in the Carlist Wars. During his exile in Italy, France, and England, he earned a living as a traveling musician, improvising songs and accompanying himself on the guitar.