Analysis of “Five Hours with Mario” by Miguel Delibes
Miguel Delibes: Author of “Five Hours with Mario”
Early Life and Career
Miguel Delibes Setién (Valladolid, October 17, 1920 – Valladolid, March 12, 2010) was a renowned Spanish novelist. He became a member of the Royal Spanish Academy in 1975, occupying the chair “e” until his death. With a Bachelor of Commerce, he began his career as a columnist and journalist for El Norte de Castilla. He gradually transitioned to focus exclusively on novel writing.
Literary Style and Themes
Delibes was deeply familiar with the fauna and flora of his geographical area. His passion for hunting and rural life, particularly in Castilla, shaped his works. He often wrote from the perspective of an urban individual who maintained a connection to the rural world. This made him a prominent figure in Spanish literature after the Civil War.
Recognition and Legacy
Delibes received numerous awards for his literary contributions. His influence extended beyond literature, as several of his works were adapted for theater and film, earning accolades at events like the Cannes Film Festival. The death of his wife in 1974 and his struggle with colon cancer in 1998 profoundly impacted him, leading to a decline in his literary output and a period of withdrawal until his death in 2010.
Analysis of “Five Hours with Mario”
Overview
Five Hours with Mario begins on the day Mario dies. Following a day of visits from family and friends, his wife, Carmen, begins a five-hour monologue beside his body. The novel explores the couple’s 23 years together through Carmen’s reflections. Each chapter is roughly the same length, marked by verses that create a sense of uniform intervals. This structure gives the impression that the time of Carmen’s monologue coincides with the actual time elapsed, enhancing the novel’s continuity.
Setting and Structure
The action primarily takes place in the couple’s home, specifically in the room where Mario’s body lies. The novel consists of a prologue, twenty-seven chapters (Carmen’s monologue), and an epilogue. Each chapter begins with a biblical quotation that Mario had underlined in his Bible, prompting Carmen’s thoughts and reproaches towards her husband.
Themes and Characters
Reading: The core of the story is Carmen’s soliloquy, a monologue of a conservative middle-class woman reflecting on her life with her deceased husband. Through her memories, Delibes portrays provincial Spain, the challenges of marital communication, and the conflict of “two Spains.” Carmen criticizes Mario’s lack of ambition and social status, revealing her own aspirations for their family. She recounts their engagement, marriage, and shared experiences, offering a glimpse into their relationship.
Literary Genre: Five Hours with Mario belongs to the narrative genre. It features key elements such as characters, a narrator, space, and time. The characters develop independently as the story unfolds. The narrator, Carmen, tells the story from a first-person perspective. The narrative space is primarily the couple’s home, while the time frame encompasses their 23 years together and the five hours of Carmen’s monologue.
Language and Style
Language: The language used is simple and colloquial, reflecting the time period in which it was written (approximately forty years ago). Some words may require the use of a dictionary for contemporary readers. The narrative predominantly uses the first person due to Carmen’s monologue, but also incorporates the second person when addressing Mario directly.