Realism and Naturalism in 19th-Century Spanish Literature
Realism and Naturalism in Spain
4. The Rise of Realism and Naturalism
The triumph of Realism in Spain was delayed due to the historical circumstances that prevented its emergence until after the 1868 revolution. The subsequent rise of a bourgeois society, a new climate of freedom, and the disappearance of censorship explain the rise of realistic literature from the 1870s onwards.
In contrast, Naturalism arrived earlier, with Zola’s works being translated immediately. However, Spanish writers didn’t
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Spanish Literature: Modernism and the Generation of ’98
Formal and Commercial Letters
Formal letters require clarity, order, and formal language, avoiding colloquialisms. They are typically addressed to an institution or its director and maintain a serious tone. Commercial letters serve as communication between businesses or between a business and an individual.
Extraoracionales Functions
Vocative: (Carlos, you)
Focus: Highlights at the beginning “as the car”
Attribute Sentence: Fortunately
Connector
Modernism and the Generation of ’98
Modernism and the Generation of ’98: Spain and the Western world experienced a turbulent period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The liberal revolution of 1868, alternating liberal and conservative governments, cronyism, and the rise of the proletariat all contributed to this upheaval. Writers and intellectuals, inspired by figures like Larra and European thought, adopted provocative stances. French artistic movements like Parnassianism, Symbolism, and Impressionism also influenced them.
Read More20th Century Spanish Literature: A Poetic & Narrative Journey
1. Early 20th Century Literature (1900-1939)
1.1. The Dawn of Modernism
Modernism marked the resurgence of anxiety, a characteristic of European Romantic literature. This era saw the revival of Symbolism and Parnassianism. Key themes included escapism, cosmopolitanism, romantic love, eroticism, and Hispanic American identity. Modernist poets emphasized sensory effects and poetic language, focusing on sound, rhythm, and symbolism. Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario ushered in this era with Azul (1888).
Read MoreSpanish Literature from 1900-1936: Generations of ’98, ’14, and ’27
1. Introduction: Spanish Literature (1900-1936)
This period is marked by three distinct literary generations:
- Generation of ’98
- Generation of ’14 (Novecentismo)
- Generation of ’27
These generations share key innovations:
- Break from Realism and Naturalism: A crisis of faith in rationalism leads to pessimism and existential angst (e.g., Unamuno and Baroja).
- Art as Refuge: Art becomes an escape from reality.
- Emphasis on Analysis: Focus shifts from reflecting reality to analyzing circumstances, leading to impressionistic
15th-Century Spanish Literature: An Overview
Old Romances
Short epic-lyrical compositions arose from the fragmentation of the chanson de geste. Another view is that ballads are creations of a single individual, as the oldest samples are lyrical and romantic, not epic.
Evolution and Transmission of Romance
The first manifestations were transmitted orally during the 15th century. Along the 16th century, authors included them in worship and songbooks. In the second half of the 17th century, the romance started to decline and took refuge in villages.
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