Contemporary Latin American Narrative: Magical Realism and Beyond
Contemporary Latin American Narrative
Realism in Latin America
The narrative in Latin America evolved with the arrival of Romanticism and Manners in the 19th century. Only in the 19th and early 20th centuries did the genre begin to consolidate with the influence of Modernism and Realism imported from Europe. The decline of Modernism paved the way for Realism, which dominated Hispanic narrative well into the 1940s.
The Realist Novel
Realist narrators focused their stories on the difficult lives within
Read MoreCatalan Literature: A Historical Overview
Ramon Llull (13th Century)
Ramon Llull, a prominent figure in Catalan literature, lived a long life during the 13th century. His works are considered the first great classics of Catalan literature. He is credited with creating a literary language rich in vocabulary and syntax, previously unseen. Llull was a prolific writer, with over 250 attributed works, all handwritten in Latin, Arabic, and Catalan. He dedicated his life to spreading the Christian faith through rational arguments. Llull is also
Read MoreAncient Rome: History, Society, and Culture
Ancient Rome: A Historical Overview
The Environment and Early Inhabitants
Rome was located on the Italian peninsula, along the banks of the Tiber River. The city was nestled amidst a mountainous landscape, with the Alps to the north and the Apennine Mountains running north to south. In the 8th century BC, when Rome was founded, Italy was inhabited by Etruscans, Latins, and Greeks.
Etruscans
The Etruscans occupied the area between the Tiber and Arno rivers. They were organized into city-states ruled
Read More20th Century Galician Theater: From Ribadabia to Abrente
Galician Theater in the 20th Century
Post-War Revival (1950s)
The 1950s marked a slow recovery for Galician dramatic writing, branching into three thematic lines:
- Avant-Garde Theater: Continuing the pre-war avant-garde tradition, with authors like Otero Pedrayo (The Desengaño Prioiro, The Tragicomedy of the Night of the Saints) and Anxeles Baleiros (The Devil’s Tariff). These works explore themes of superstition, emigration, and passionate love affairs, often infused with humor.
- Regionalist Theater:
Vicent Andrés Estellés: A Chronicle of Valencia
Early Life and Influences
Vicent Andrés Estellés, born on September 4, 1924, in Burjassot, Spain, to a family of bakers, is considered a cornerstone of modern Valencian poetry. His childhood was marked by the Spanish Civil War, an experience that profoundly influenced his work, particularly his recurring theme of death. During this tumultuous period, he learned the trades of baker, silversmith, and typesetter.
Estellés’ Poetic Style and Themes
Estellés’ poetry is deeply rooted in the reality of
Read MoreThe Silver Age of Spanish Culture (1898-1936)
Introduction
The first decades of the twentieth century were a period of extraordinary cultural fertility in Spain, known as the Silver Age. While the exact chronological limits are debated, this period is generally considered to span from the crisis of 1898 to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The year 1898 marks a break with the past and a new period of reflection on Spain, while 1936 signifies the beginning of a war that profoundly impacted the country’s culture. During these four
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