Spanish Golden Age Literature
Lazarillo de Tormes and the Picaresque Novel
Clerical hypocrisy and the theme of honor are prevalent throughout the novel. The concept of honor is often based on appearances rather than reality, as seen with the Squire in the story. Lazaro, the protagonist, is a new type of hero: a common man, an antihero who breaks away from traditional heroic origins.
Style and language: The novel marks the beginning of Realism in Spanish literature, later perfected by Cervantes and other picaresque novels. The
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Understanding Art and Folk
Defining Art
Art encompasses various aspects:
- Virtue, disposition, and ability: The inherent talent and skill required to create art.
- Human expression: Art serves as a medium for individuals to express their personal vision and interpretations.
- Guidelines and principles: Established rules and techniques guide the creation of art.
Exploring Folk Traditions
Folk traditions represent the cultural identity of a community:
- Shared heritage: Encompasses beliefs, customs, crafts, and
Exploring Literary Movements: Romanticism, Transcendentalism, and the Rise of American Literature
1. Romanticism: A Celebration of Nature, Emotion, and Imagination
Key Characteristics of Romantic Literature:
- Glorification of Nature: Nature’s unbound beauty and power are central themes, often symbolizing the opposite of rationality.
- Awareness and Acceptance of Emotions: Romantic works delve into a wide range of emotions, from love and joy to fear and sorrow, offering relatable and engaging narratives.
- Celebration of Artistic Creativity and Imagination: The Romantic movement emphasized the importance
19th Century Spanish Society and Literature
19th Century Spanish Society
Political Instability and European Influences
The 19th century in Spain was marked by political instability, with frequent changes in government and wars. While Spain evolved alongside other European countries, it did so at a slower pace and with some delay. The Romantic movement, for example, arrived later and had a less profound impact on Spanish society compared to other nations. This can be attributed to several historical circumstances:
- During the War of Independence
Galician Narrative of the 1950s and 1960s
The Generation of the 50s
After the forced silence of the immediate postwar period, the first novel of the postwar era, The People of the Barrier by Ricardo Carvalho Calero, was published in 1951. In the following decade, thanks to the publisher Galaxia, works by Alvaro Cunqueiro, Eduardo Blanco Amor, and Anxeles Bellows began to be published.
Alvaro Cunqueiro
Alvaro Cunqueiro collaborated with Galicianism and became known as a poet. A journalist, he began his literary work in Spanish. In the 1950s,
Read MoreExploring Literary Genres: From Poetry to Romanticism
Literary Genres
What is Literature?
Literature encompasses various aspects, including:
- The art of writing and reading, and the knowledge of written works.
- Creative works that prioritize aesthetics over didacticism.
- The intellectual study of literary production.
- A collection of written works from a specific culture, period, genre, or target audience (e.g., Catalan literature, Romantic literature, children’s literature).
Literary Genres
Literary genres categorize written works based on their structure and
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