Edith Wharton: Life, Works, and Themes of Old New York
Edith Wharton: Life, Works, and Themes
Old New York and Inherited Wealth
Edith Wharton’s work often explores themes related to inherited wealth, New York’s aristocracy, conservatism, and a world that is blind to change and suffocating. She highlights the limited roles available to women in this society.
Early Life and Marriage
Edith Wharton married Edward Wharton in 1885. She suffered a series of nervous breakdowns in 1849 and published her first collection of stories in 1899. Her writing often stemmed
Read MoreUnderstanding Modernism: Concepts, Features, and Hispanic Roots
Modernism
Concept
Modernism is a movement that began around 1880, aiming to break with prevailing aesthetics. Its fundamental development reached the First World War. Modernism can be seen as an attitude of moral rebellion, represented in the daily life of the bohemian, who defends the autonomy of artistic expression and rejects social modes implemented by the bourgeois class.
Features
- Dissent: Efforts opposed to current trends (Realism).
- Anti-bourgeois attitude: A reaction to the utilitarian spirit
Literary Snippets and Character Insights
“Whole families of musicians are not exactly rare…”
Why did John Watkins…? He wanted to avoid having to pay for one.
What is meant by “crack” in 17? Attempt.
What do we consider in the third…? He is particularly pleased about what…
Paul first became interested in…? He admired someone his father…
What do we learn about…? His brother’s achievements…
What does Paul say about the Rugeri cello?… The cello his father…
What does Paul say about his performance…? It is typical of his…
What
Read MoreCatalan Literature: Notable Authors and Works
Mercè Rodoreda (1908-1983)
Key Works:
- Aloma (1937)
- La plaça del Diamant (The Time of the Doves) (1962)
- El carrer de les Camèlies (Camellia Street) (1966)
- Mirall trencat (A Broken Mirror) (1974)
- La mort i la primavera (Death in Spring) (1986)
Rodoreda also wrote collections of short stories, such as Vint-i-dos contes (Twenty-two Stories) (1958). Her novels are constructed with a literary technique that uses spoken language, not solemn, in the first person. The direct voice of the protagonist reaches
Read MoreUnderstanding Realism and Naturalism: Key Concepts and Figures
Realism in 19th Century Literature
Realism: This artistic trend, prominent in the mid-nineteenth century, particularly in pictorial and literary arts, is defined by its commitment to representing reality as it is, without embellishment. The influence of scientism and the emergence of photography were major factors in shaping realistic aesthetics.
Origin and Expansion
Realism emerged in France around 1830 with the publication of Stendhal’s The Red and the Black, considered the first realist novel. It
Read MoreGeneration of ’27: Spanish Literary Movement & Essay Characteristics
The Generation of ’27: A Literary Overview
The Generation of ’27 refers to a group of Spanish poets who, in the 1920s, became the most notable writers of their time. The name originates from a meeting held in Seville in 1927, where many of these writers gathered to honor Góngora on the 300th anniversary of his death.
Shared Characteristics
- Similar social backgrounds
- Deep commitment to literature
- Collaboration on literary magazines
- Many resided in Madrid at the Residencia de Estudiantes, a liberal cultural