19th-Century Literature: Post-Romanticism and Realism
Realism
General Features
- Positivism: Focus on visible facts and experimentation.
- Influence of evolutionism.
- Influence of Marxism in the latter half of the century.
- Real-life as an aesthetic object.
- Focus on everyday events.
- Critique of sociopolitical issues.
- Simple and sober style.
- Emphasis on the novel.
Typical Novel Features
- Characters with problematic relationships.
- Realistic stories and fragments of reality.
- Omniscient narrator.
- Didactic and moral intent.
- Linear timeline.
- Detailed descriptions.
- Colloquial language.
Modernism in Spanish Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Modernism in Spanish Literature
Characteristics of Modernism
Modernism is characterized by its emphasis on aesthetic beauty, prioritizing beauty over everything else. Authors sought an escape from reality, setting their works in remote locations and times. Texts often depict a bygone era of luxury and refinement or cosmopolitan civilizations, favoring urban settings. Common themes include boredom, apathy, and melancholy. Symbolic elements like the swan, which became a symbol of Modernist aesthetics,
Read MoreCatalan Language and Literature 4: Argumentation and Debate
Catalan Language and Literature 4
Theoretical Summary
Topic 4: Argumentation and Debate
What Does it Mean to Argue?
If we carefully analyze the speeches, oral or written, that we produce every day, we realize that we are constantly arguing: when trying to convince someone to buy or make a resource, when writing to request the withdrawal of a fine from the Administration.
The purpose of argumentation is to convince the receiver of something. Therefore, to argue is to defend an idea through convincing
Read MoreNotable Spanish Literary Figures
Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936)
Born in Bilbao, Miguel de Unamuno studied philosophy and literature in Madrid. He held the Chair of Greek at the University of Salamanca, serving as rector in 1901. He faced exile in France due to conflicts with Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship and later served as a deputy for the Republic. Unamuno died in Salamanca. He is considered one of the most brilliant intellectuals of Spanish culture.
Pío Baroja (1872-1956)
Pío Baroja y Nessi, born in San Sebastián, studied medicine
Read MoreMedieval Lyric Poetry: Tradition & Courtly Love
1. Medieval Poetry
Before the 14th century, lyric poetry was primarily oral, passed down through generations with music, often expressing love from a female perspective. Formal written lyric poetry in Castilian doesn’t emerge until the 15th century. While Castilian lacked a tradition of courtly poetry, other Romance languages like Galician, Catalan, and Provençal did.
2. Traditional/Popular Lyric Poetry
Despite diverse origins, traditional lyric poetry shares common traits:
- Thematic and stylistic
Tradition and Modernity in Miguel Hernández’s Poetry
Miguel Hernández
Tradition and Modernity
Miguel Hernández’s poetic journey began as an apprentice, deeply influenced by classical authors. His evolution can be divided into several stages:
The Apprentice Poet (1910-1931)
Born in Orihuela, Alicante, Hernández’s limited formal education ended in 1924. Working as a cattle herder provided ample time for reflection, shaping his early poems. These oscillated between local themes and idealized styles, reflecting influences from Rubén Darío, Juan Ramón
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