Naturalism in 19th-Century Spanish Literature
Naturalism and Realism in 19th-Century Spanish Literature
In the final decades of the nineteenth century, realism evolved into naturalism, a movement fueled by French author Émile Zola. Carried to an extreme, naturalism proposed to apply scientific principles to the literature of the period. For Zola, man is the result of genetic inheritance and social conditions. Spanish writers of the time—Emilia Pardo Bazán, Galdós, Clarín, and Vicente Blasco Ibáñez—rejected Zola’s genetic determinism
Read MoreCatalan Chronicles: Desclot, Muntaner, and Peter the Ceremonious
Chronicles of Catalonia: Desclot, Muntaner, and Peter the Ceremonious
Chronicle of Bernard Desclot. In the chronicle of Bernard Desclot, or Book of King Peter, drafted between 1283 and 1288, the author remains in the background. The real focus is Peter II the Great, a contemporary of the author, whose brief reign (1276 – 1285) is explained in detail, with precision, clarity, and historical accuracy. Desclot briefly recounts the reigns of three monarchs before portraying Peter II the Great, son and
Read MoreKey Figures & Themes in Spanish Romanticism
Key Figures and Themes in Spanish Romanticism
Rosalía de Castro was born in Santiago de Compostela. An important work is her book of poems entitled On the Banks of the Sar. In it, she explores Galician themes, exalts customs, explores existential pessimism, and expresses anguish and pain. She believes that love is a mirage and that the fate of every human being is loneliness.
Mariano José de Larra was born in Madrid and received an enlightened education, evolving into Romanticism. He believed that
Read More19th Century Spanish Poetry and Theater: Realism and Naturalism
Poetry in the Second Half of the 19th Century
In the second half of the nineteenth century, subjectivism diminishes (except in the poetry of Bécquer and Rosalía). New theories of poetry and poetics are published, such as those of Campoamor.
Two trends emerge:
- Ramón de Campoamor’s Prose: His work, Humoradas, features short, conceptual poetry with didactic purposes.
- Gaspar Núñez de Arce’s Rhetoricity: His poetry is declamatory and bombastic, inspired by civic and political issues. His work Gritos
Spanish Literature: Machado, Valle-Inclán, Lorca
Antonio Machado (1875-1939)
Born in Seville, Antonio Machado‘s family moved to Madrid when he was eight. He was educated at the Free Institution of Education. In 1907, he became a professor of French at the Institute of Soria. He met Leonor Izquierdo there, whom he married in 1909. Leonor died three years later. Antonio moved to Baeza, where he met Pilar Valderrama. In 1939, he went to France and died the same year.
Antonio Machado defined his poetry as a search for essentials. This search led him
Read MoreLiterary Movements: Realism and Naturalism
Realism and Naturalism in Literature
Realism (1848 – France)
Realism emerged in France in 1848 as a reaction against the idealization and escapism of Romanticism. It emphasized the observation of reality. Key features include:
- Accuracy and Objectivity: The term “realism” itself highlights the focus on accurately and objectively portraying characters and environments.
- Characters from Everyday Life: Characters are often drawn from the lower classes and depicted in a realistic manner.
- Detailed Settings: