Renaixença: A Comparative Analysis of the Catalan and Valencian Literary Revivals
Renaixença: A Comparative Analysis
The Valencian Renaixença
In 1859, Mariano Aguiló, a prominent figure from Mallorca, arrived in Valencia and encouraged young writers like Teodor Llorente and law students to embrace the Catalan language. They organized the Floral Games of Valencia, held at the University Auditorium. These games were revived in 1879 with the establishment of Lo Rat Penat, a society founded by writer Constantí Llombart. Unlike the games in Barcelona, the Valencian Floral Games were bilingual from their inception.
Lo Rat Penat, intended to unite Valencians, became associated with the conservative bourgeoisie and adopted a nostalgic and apolitical character. This characteristic, along with limited public and literary engagement, contributed to the limitations of the Valencian Renaixença.
The Valencian revival, as exemplified by Llorente’s group, was marked by resistance to fully embracing its own identity. There was a reluctance to accept the historical legacy of Valencia, to restore the language beyond poetry, and to politicize the movement. This hindered the linguistic and cultural recovery and limited its social impact. The lack of industrialization further reinforced the conservatism of the ruling classes in Valencia.
The Catalan Renaixença
The Catalan Renaixença was a revival movement focused on Catalan language, literature, and culture. It was characterized by a recovery of national consciousness, with a strong identification between language and nation. The Catalan bourgeoisie actively supported and promoted the language, unlike their less affluent counterparts in Valencia who predominantly spoke Spanish.
The revival began in 1833 with the publication of Bonaventura Carles Aribau’s ode “La Pàtria” in the newspaper “El Vapor.” In 1859, the Floral Games were restored, featuring literary competitions centered around love, faith, and fatherland. Winners of all three categories were named “Mestre en Gai Saber.” Jacint Verdaguer and Àngel Guimerà were among the acclaimed “Mestres en Gai Saber.”
The movement aimed to revive the three major literary genres: poetry, drama, and novels. The Floral Games served as a significant platform for promoting Catalan literature. Notable figures include Jacint Verdaguer in poetry, Àngel Guimerà in theater, and Narcís Oller in novels.
The Catalan language had declined and become heavily influenced by Spanish. Linguist Pompeu Fabra published a dictionary that standardized the language. Catalonia experienced significant industrialization, and the bourgeoisie actively championed the Catalan language, unlike the primarily agricultural society of Valencia with its limited bourgeoisie.
La Pàtria
“La Pàtria,” written by Bonaventura Carles Aribau during the Catalan Renaixença and published in the newspaper “El Vapor,” became a symbol of the movement. The poem’s identification of language and homeland had a profound impact on young people of that era. Aribau himself may not have fully anticipated the poem’s consequences. He wrote it to congratulate his patron, Gaspar de Remisa, a Catalan living in Madrid. This circumstance is only mentioned at the end of the poem, which primarily serves as a hymn to the motherland and language.
L’Espill
“L’Espill” is a narrative poem consisting of 16,059 verses divided into four books. The protagonist narrates his life after leaving his mother’s home. He experiences youthful adventures in Catalonia and France, encountering various misfortunes and betrayals by women. He returns to Valencia and marries multiple times, each ending disastrously. In the third book, Solomon appears to him in a dream and criticizes women. In the fourth book, the protagonist decides to live a life of solitude, prayer, and charity.
Despite its challenging verse structure, “L’Espill” is a complete novel presenting an autobiographical account of the narrator. The author, Jaume Roig, strives to maintain plausibility by incorporating anecdotes and references to real people, often drawing from his medical expertise. “L’Espill” offers a realistic portrayal of 15th-century Valencian life, reflecting various social environments and situations. The narrative serves as a mirror reflecting the complexities of popular life.
“L’Espill” is not only a misogynistic work but also presents a pessimistic view of human existence. It is a novel in verse, written in four-syllable lines, offering a dark and disillusioned perspective on life.