Idealized Worlds to Modern Novels: A Literary Journey
Idealized Worlds in Literature
The Idealista Novel presents adventure and localized conflict within an idealized world. Characters, often Persians belonging to noble classes, embody models of perfection: loyalty, bravery, and exoticism. The primary intention is escapism and entertainment.
- Sentimental Novel: These stories recount love affairs, often with tragic outcomes (e.g., Cárcelo by Diego San Pedro).
- Pastoral Novel: Refined shepherds discuss the nature of true love, their trials, and various complications (e.g., Los Siete Libros de Diana by Jorge de Montemayor).
- Moorish Novel: Chronicles border struggles between Moors and Christians, emphasizing idealized beauty and faithfulness.
- Byzantine Novel: Features a journey of two lovers experiencing risky adventures before reuniting.
- Novella: Flat, with different stories and varying arguments.
- Novel of Chivalry: Popularly received, recounts events featuring brave knights who live extraordinary adventures motivated by noble ideals (though often poorly defended).
The Rise of the Realistic Novel
The Realistic Novel portrays the society of its time, criticizing the vices and weaknesses of all classes.
Novela Picaresca: A Groundbreaking Example
Novela Picaresca emerged in 1554 with El Primero, published in three editions across various cities. The anonymous authorship adds to its mystique. The work distributes perspectives across various characters. Lazarus, a young rogue from humble origins, exemplifies the art of deception to survive. The rogue becomes a counterpoint to the medieval hero. Other key characters include the blind man, the monk, the squire, the pardoner, and the chaplain.
Key Features of Novela Picaresca
- Autobiographical Technique: The narrative traces the character’s evolution.
- Simplicity: Plain Renaissance language and irony are used.
- Themes: Hunger (prominent in the initial episodes), honor, and religion (many masters belong to the clergy).
- Plot and Structure: A confession addressed to someone important to explain a case (e.g., Toledo-7 tratados Foreword).
The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote: A Turning Point
Published in two parts (1605 and 1615), Don Quixote tells the story of an old gentleman from La Mancha who loses his mind by reading books of chivalry and decides to become a knight-errant. He takes on Sancho Panza as his servant and sets out on adventures.
- Part I: Contains stories seemingly unrelated to the main plot.
- Part II: Directly involves Don Quixote.
Characters
- Don Quixote: A gentleman who loses his sanity, embodying a fantastic dream world and driven by two ideals: to restore justice and serve his lady love.
- Sancho Panza: A tough farmer representing daily reality, trusting only what he sees, concerned with immediate material gains, and embodying popular wisdom through sayings.
The Knight Errant’s World
The knight errant ventures into fantastic places, is a true lover, fights for justice and high ideals, and faces enemies like giants and magicians, all with a faithful squire.
- Don Quixote: Born in a village in La Mancha.
- Dulcinea of Toboso: A peasant woman, Aldonza Lorenzo, idealized by Don Quixote.
- Don Quixote’s battles: Fights for justice, but his enemies are often windmills and sheep.
- Sancho Panza: A humble, ignorant farmer.
Don Quixote and the Modern Novel
Don Quixote inaugurates a new way of writing novels, marking the beginning of the modern novel.
- Realism: Reflects reality rather than idealized concepts.
- Dynamism: Characters are complex, contradictory, and evolving, not static prototypes.
- Perspectivism: The work offers multiple points of view, allowing the reader to draw conclusions.
- Verisimilitude: The story is presented as a credible fiction, conforming to appearance rather than historical truth.