Spanish Theater Evolution: 1940s to 1970s
Theater in Exile
Max Aub: Public in 1942 “San Juan”. The book presents the story of a contingent of Jewish immigrants fleeing the Nazis in a boat, the “San Juan”, and failing to be received in any port.
Alejandro Casona: Debuts in Buenos Aires “La Dama del Alba” (1944), “The Boat Without a Fisherman” (1945), “Trees Die Standing” (1949).
1940s: Evasion and Humor
Highlights include the innovative theater humor of Enrique Jardiel Ponce and Miguel Mihura. Mihura’s most representative work is “Three Top
Read MoreMaison Carrée and Augustus of Prima Porta: Roman Art
Maison Carrée: A Roman Temple in Nîmes
Construction and Architectural Features
May 2 – The Maison Carrée is a well-preserved Roman temple in Nîmes, France, exemplifying Roman temple architecture. It incorporates elements from Etruscan temples, such as a high podium, a prominent main facade, and a deep portico. The temple’s rectangular form and interior division also reflect Etruscan influences.
The temple stands on a podium, accessible only by a main stairway. The portico features slender Corinthian
Read MoreSpanish Literature: 14th to 16th Century Authors & Genres
The Picaresque Novel: *Lazarillo de Tormes* (1554)
Lazarillo de Tormes, first published in 1554 (Burgos, Antwerp, and Alcala de Henares), is a seminal work in the picaresque genre. The protagonist, Lazaro de Tormes, is a *rogue* who narrates episodes from his past life in the first person, in the form of a letter to “Your Excellency”.
Key Features of *Lazarillo de Tormes*:
- Realism: It offers a realistic, rather than idealistic, portrayal of 16th-century Spanish society, including its hardships.
- Protagonist:
Spanish Literature: Theater, Poetry, and Postwar Trends
Spanish Theater and Poetry: 1940s to 1970s
The Drama of Escape in the 1940s
There was no renewal of theater. The theater scene was dominated by the regime’s propaganda and evasion. It was not until 1949, with Historia de una escalera by Antonio Buero Vallejo, that a more engaged and critical theater emerged.
The Burgtheater
Constructed works well with brilliant dialogue, tangles, and entertaining games. The leading author was Jacinto Benavente (1866-1954).
Theater of Humor in the 1940s
The restoration
Read MoreRealism in Literature: Characteristics, Authors, and Key Works
Realism in Literature
General Features of Realistic Literature
Observation and Accurate Description of Reality
Writers meticulously document field notes about characters and settings, often consulting reference materials to ensure accuracy.
Focus on the Factual
Authors write about what they know, setting their works in the present and in familiar locations.
Frequent Social and Political Criticism
The interpretation of reality varies based on the writer’s ideology. Conservatives may depict reality to highlight
Catalan Literature: Civil War to the 1970s and Beyond
Catalan Literature: From the Civil War to the 1970s
During the Franco dictatorship, literary production in Catalan faced a crisis. Many writers were forced into exile, and new cultural groups emerged in their places of residence. The literature of this exile often reflected the writers’ experiences, incorporating exotic notes from their new living spaces while also remembering and denouncing the war and its consequences.
Literary Innovations
Novelists of the 1930s had to wait until well into the post-
Read More