19th Century Literature: Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism
Nineteenth Century: A Literary Overview
The 19th century was a period of significant political, social, and economic change. The first half of the century saw the rise of Romanticism and Realism.
Romanticism
Romanticism emphasized sentiments and imagination over neoclassical reason. It was prominent in poetry and drama, but also influenced art, journalism, and historical novels.
Realism
The second half of the century witnessed Posromanticismo, a more intimate form of expression. Realism shifted from romantic subjectivity to reflect the external reality of society objectively, primarily through the novel. Ultimately, Naturalism influenced the century.
Romanticism: Key Characteristics
Ideal for the celebration of Freedom:
- Individualism: Exaltation of the self. Feelings over reason and subjective vision.
- Nightlife and mysterious wilderness.
- Importance of the irrational and creative genius, rejecting rules that limit creative freedom.
- Default: Nonconformist attitudes lead to disappointment, causing evasion or exotic fantasy worlds of the past. Social outcasts abound.
- Idealism: Pursuit of unattainable personal ideals. Nationalist ideals emerge.
Romantic Poetry: José de Espronceda
Represents the most exalted Romanticism. He was rebellious and progressive. He expressed the romantic longing for freedom through marginalized individuals (e.g., “Canción del Pirata”, “The Executioner”). He wrote narrative poems (e.g., “The Student of Salamanca”) and love compositions (e.g., “Song to Teresa”). Formally, he combined different stanzas and a passionate style full of exclamations, evocative images, and rhythmic effects.
Posromantic Poetry: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Represents an intimate glimpse. The Rimas of Bécquer have a poetic sensibility based on subjective evocation of emotion, imagination, and intuition, with a hint of mystery. He used simple language for music that suggests the poet’s inner world. He used stanzas with assonance and rhythmic structure. Rhymes.
Bécquer also wrote Leyendas (e.g., “The Mount of Animas”).
Realism: Key Features
Reflects the intended objective reality with:
- Observation of Reality: The work is credible as a mirror of life.
- Social Portrait: Describes social settings and characters, focusing on criticizing the bourgeoisie.
- Triumph of the Novel: The omniscient narrator knows the psychology of the characters, using a detailed style, adapting dialogues to social conditions. Benito Pérez Galdós stands out (e.g., “Fortunata and Jacinta”, “Miau”). In its final stage, it receives the influence of Naturalism (Realism with maximum details).
Realist Narrative: Leopoldo Alas “Clarín”
In La Regenta, he critically examines the powerful social classes of Vetusta. He details the oppressive and hypocritical atmosphere, with the theme of adultery with Ana Ozores, who is torn between a suitor and her spiritual confessor. He combines different narrative points of view, showing the psychology of the characters and natural features.
- Ana Ozores: The judge’s wife
- Víctor Quintanar: Ex-regent
- Fermín de Pas: Confessor of Ana
- Álvaro Mesía: Quatre Vetusta
Modernism and the Generation of 98
The late nineteenth century saw a crisis at the end of the century, culminating in the First World War. The crisis is associated with political and social problems that culminated in the Disaster of 98 (loss of the last Spanish colony).
Modernism
A cultural movement that affected art and architecture. Modernist literature contains romantic nonconformity and aesthetic trends are manifest in poetry and the novel.
Generation of 98
A group of writers and intellectuals who shared a desire for reform of the country and aesthetic transformation. They became aware of the problems in Spain. It highlights the novel and essay.
Parnassianism
A French aesthetic current emphasizing beauty and formal perfection.