20th Century Spanish & Latin American Literature: Realism & Narrative Renewal

Posted on May 8, 2024 in Language

20th Century Spanish Literature

Miguel Delibes (1920)

Early Novels and Aesthetics

Delibes debuted in 1947 with The Shadow of the Cypress is Long, a novel exploring themes of death and childhood. He followed this with The Road, which contrasts rural and urban life through a child’s awakening. The Red Leaf and Rats tackled social issues like poverty and retirement.

Five Hours with Mario

Considered Delibes’ masterpiece, Five Hours with Mario features Carmen, a middle-class woman reflecting on her deceased husband, Mario. The novel’s brilliance lies in its ability to make the reader identify with Mario despite only having Carmen’s critical perspective. This is achieved through a colloquial and believable narrative. The contrast between Mario and Carmen mirrors the divide between traditional and progressive Spain.

Later Novels

Delibes briefly experimented with formal parody in Parable of the Shipwreck. However, he returned to his signature themes and style in novels like The Dethroned Prince, The Wars of Our Ancestors, and The Holy Innocents.

20th Century Latin American Literature

Realistic Novel

Latin American realistic novels emerged as authors sought to portray the unique realities of their environment. This movement reacted against the exoticism promoted by modernism and focused on the struggles of individuals within their social and political contexts.

There are two main trends within this genre:

  • Social and Political Novels: These works denounce the marginalization and exploitation of indigenous people by white colonizers.
  • Novels of the Land: These explore the relationship between humans and their natural surroundings. Notable examples include Eustasio Rivera’s The Vortex, Rómulo Gallegos’ Doña Barbara, and Ricardo Güiraldes’ Don Segundo Sombra.

Renewal of the Narrative (1940-1960)

Several factors contributed to this renewal:

  • The arrival of Spanish writers and publishers after the Spanish Civil War.
  • The influx of European intellectuals during World War II.
  • The return of Latin American intellectuals who had assimilated European avant-garde movements.

Jorge Luis Borges

Borges’ stories explore profound themes:

  • The Illusory Nature of Reality: Fiction and reality intertwine, blurring the lines between them.
  • The Mystery of Identity: The idea that individuals embody multiple selves, shadows of dreams, or reincarnations.
  • The World as a Labyrinth: Lost individuals wander aimlessly, searching for meaning.
  • Circular Time: Past, present, and future merge into a continuous cycle.

Borges’ writing is characterized by:

  • Language as Metalanguage: He explores the power and evolution of language, emphasizing its ability to shape meaning and innovation.
  • Scholarship in Literary Creation: His vast knowledge of philosophy, literature, and history enriches his creative works, transporting readers to fascinating worlds.
  • The Concept of the Argentine: Borges reflects on the Argentine identity, connecting it to universal human experiences and historical context.