Historical Context
(Spain: 19th century)
-
**Very tumultuous period in Spain’s history**
-
War of Independence against France at beginning
of century
-
“Glorious Revolution” of 1868 overthrows Borbón
dynasty (Isabel II)
-
Abdication of King Amadeo de Saboya (1873)
followed by short era of First Republic (1873-1874)
o
(This is discussed in La desheredada)
-
Restoration of Borbón dynasty under King Alfonso
XII in 1874
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Spanish-American War at end of century
-
“Disaster of ‘98” (1898) – loss of more colonial
possessions: Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Philippines
-
Growing political power of middle class over
course of century due to successive revolutions
Realism Movement’s Origins
-
Spanish realism literary movement began in
mid-19th century.
o
Began in France as a reaction against
Romanticism, and especially costumbrismo.
o
French precursors: Balzac, Zola (for naturalism
especially)
o
Had a precedent in Spain in picaresque novels (such
as Don Quijote)
-
Realism led to Naturalism.
o
Naturalism also originated in France (Zola) and
descends from positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte.
o
Naturalism never fully manifested in Spain due
to conflicts with religious convictions; however, some tendencies could be seen
in realist literature.
-
Realism was parallel to growing popularity of
novel.
o
Novels were successful because they were mainly
published in newspapers in installments. (Example of novel published this way: La Gaviota)
Realism Movement’s
Characteristics
-
Reflects values and preoccupations of middle
class: individualism, materialism, desire for social ascent, and esteem of
daily and immutable things
-
Two main tendencies: progressive and
conservative
-
Fundamental themes:
o
Contrast between rural and urban settings/values
o
Transition from rural area to urban area
o
Fight for social ascent and economic success
o
Middle class independence and individualism
o
Adultery is frequent
-
Characteristics:
o
Objective vision of reality (direct observation;
portrayal of life as it really is)
o
Defense of a (moral) thesis
o
Omniscient narrator
o
Themes relative to the reader (marital
conflicts, infidelity, defense of ideals)
o
Colloquial and popular language (regionalism)
Naturalism Movement’s
Characteristics
-
Goal of explaining human behavior; the reasons
behind behavior
-
Pessimism
-
Detachment from story (objective narrator)
-
Determinism (opposite of free will)
o
Idea that a character’s fate is predetermined
-
Surprising twist at end of story
-
Sense that nature is indifferent to human struggle
Main (Spanish) Authors
of Realist/Naturalist Movement [that are on the list]
-
Benito
Pérez Galdós (La Desheredada)
-
Emilia
Pardo Bazán (Los Pazos de Ulloa)
-
Leopoldo
Alas [Clarín] (La Regenta)
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