Fortunata and Jacinta: Love and Society in 19th-Century Madrid
Fortunata and Jacinta: A Portrait of 19th-Century Madrid
Fortunata and Jacinta, by Benito Pérez Galdós, tells the story of two women, Fortunata and Jacinta, whose lives are intertwined through their relationships with two men: Maximiliano Rubín and Juan Santa Cruz. The plot unfolds as Fortunata, a young woman from a humble background, falls in love with Juan Santa Cruz, who ultimately marries Jacinta. Abandoned repeatedly by Juan, Fortunata enters a religious institution. Rubín marries her, but she leaves him and seeks refuge with another man, never relinquishing her love for Juan, which she considers natural and legitimate. In the end, before dying, she gives her son to Jacinta (who is infertile), and the child is adopted by the Santa Cruz family.
Themes and Characters
The novel’s structure, built upon a love triangle, effectively expresses the conflict between love and societal norms.
- Fortunata personifies nature, the common people, and rebellion against societal rules and transgression. She is characterized by authenticity, goodness, pride in her fertility, and passion.
- Jacinta is the symbol of bourgeois society, representing respect for laws and conventions.
The novel features a multitude of secondary characters, each representing various social strata and offering diverse perspectives and experiences of contemporary society.
Setting and Time
The story primarily takes place in central Madrid. Galdós portrays urban society with its technological innovations, fashions, and customs. The historical context spans from December 1869 to 1876. The narrative follows a linear, chronological timeline, with occasional flashbacks to introduce the characters.
Narrative Techniques
The narrator initially presents himself as a witness to the events, frequently interjecting comments. He gradually transitions into an omniscient narrator.
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez: Valencian Regionalism
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez’s early works were serialized novels. His regionalist cycle incorporates the lives of characters in a specific, underdeveloped setting in Valencia. Notable works from this period include La Barraca and Cañas y Barro. In his later work, he blended realism, sentimentality, and exoticism with adventure.
Leopoldo Alas, Clarín: A Literary Master
Leopoldo Alas, known as Clarín, was a prominent figure in Spanish literature, excelling in criticism, essays, novels, and short stories. His critical works were published in newspapers and magazines, encompassing satirical, political, and literary texts. A highly cultured individual with extensive knowledge of European literature and philosophy, Clarín critically analyzed his contemporaries and considered the novel superior to theater and poetry. His narrative style combines various influences, including elements of naturalism and religious spiritual currents.
Clarín’s Short Stories
Among Clarín’s notable short stories are “Pipá,” “¡Adiós, Cordera!,” “El Señor,” and “Bustamante.” These stories can be categorized into two types: those that emphasize tenderness and those that employ caricature and mocking criticism.
La Regenta: A Study of Unfulfilled Love
In La Regenta, Clarín explores the conflict inherent in the search for ideal love within a mediocre and hostile environment. It is a story of unfulfilled love and friendship. The narrative revolves around a love triangle involving Don Fermín de Pas, Álvaro Mesía, and Ana Ozores, the wife of a judge (regent), from whom the novel derives its title. The novel develops the theme of adultery. The narrative is structured around Ana Ozores, Fermín de Pas, and the city of Vetusta. Literature plays a significant role in the work.