Narrative, Language, and Romantic Literature
Narrative Elements and Structure
To narrate is to tell real or fictional facts. The elements of a narrative include:
- Narrator: The entity recounting the facts. Narrator types:
- External: Does not take part in the events.
- Internal: Is a participant in the events, often the protagonist.
- Time: When the events happen.
- Place: Where the events happen.
- Characters: Individuals involved, categorized as protagonists or antagonists.
Structure of the narrative:
- Introduction: Introduces characters and situates the story in a particular place and time.
- Knot (Rising Action): The story unfolds.
- Outcome (Resolution): The final part of the story.
Language Concepts: Diphthongs, Hiatus, and More
Diphthong
A diphthong is the union of two vowels in one syllable. Types:
- Two weak vowels (i, u).
- A strong vowel and a weak vowel (e.g., “old”).
Hiatus
A hiatus occurs when vowels belong to different syllables. Types:
- Two strong vowels (a, e, o).
- A strong vowel and a weak tonic vowel (e.g., “tío”).
Description
Description is the presentation of characteristic features of people, objects, places, or events, both real and imaginary, giving the receiver an accurate idea of them. Character descriptions can include:
- Prosopography: Physical traits.
- Ethopoeia: Psychological traits.
- Portrait: A combination of both physical and psychological traits.
Dialogue
Dialogue is an exchange of information between two or more participants who alternate in the use of words. Dialogues can be spontaneous or planned.
Other Linguistic Terms
- Loanwords: are words incorporated into Castilian from Latin in the Middle Ages that have undergone transformations.
- Cultism: Words from Latin incorporated into Castilian in later times, which have not undergone the same transformations.
- Argumentation: A mode of discourse that defends an idea with justification to persuade the recipient of its validity.
- Archaisms: Words from the language that are perceived as antiquated and have fallen into disuse.
- Neologisms: Words that are newly added to the language.
Characteristics of Romantic Literature
- Rebellion: Many texts feature marginalized characters symbolizing a rebellious attitude (e.g., beggar, thief, pirate).
- Evasion: Confrontation with societal reality encourages flight into the past and remote locations.
- Projection in Nature: Romantic writers express emotions through nature, often using dark environments and wild landscapes.
- Nationalism: Romanticism is interested in the manifestations of peoples, hence the collection of legends, traditions, and stories from each region.
Spanish Romanticism was influenced by foreign authors such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Lord Byron.
Romantic Poetry
- Uses polymetry.
- Favorite subjects are ideal love, passion, and loneliness.
- Prefers rhetorical questions and exclamations.
Lyric poetry expresses the feelings and worldview of the poet. Notable poets include Espronceda, Bécquer, and Rosalía de Castro.
Rosalía de Castro’s works include: *Follas novas*, *Cantares gallegos*, and *En las orillas del Sar*.
Romantic Prose
During Romanticism, both fictional works and journalistic texts were cultivated. In Spain, Bécquer’s legends and Mariano José de Larra’s journalistic work are particularly noteworthy.
Romantic Drama
The Romantic drama (plays) also flourished during this period.