Realism and Naturalism in Literature: Key Characteristics
Realism and Naturalism in Literature
Realism is characterized by:
- Focus: Focuses on the bourgeoisie.
- Objectivity: A tracing of reality.
- Style: Simple and clear prose that reflects each class.
- Criticism: Criticizes society, portraying the bourgeoisie as opportunistic and greedy.
- Painting Details: Focused on the environment and characters.
- Environments and customs: Aims to reproduce society, focusing on the middle and lower classes.
- Characters: Characters are analyzed in depth.
Naturalism is the evolution of realism. It posits that man is not free but determined by his environment and circumstances. Émile Zola (The Rougon-Macquart) is a key figure.
Realism in Spain: Stages
- Prereality: Characterized by being simple and realistic (e.g., The Three-Cornered Hat and The Seagull).
- Realism: Describes reality. Novels in this stage include:
Novel Characteristics
- Novel Event: Focuses on observation and characters.
- Novel Thesis: Reflects the author’s moral stance.
- Psychological Novel: Centers on psychology.
- Spiritual Realism: Incorporates social portraiture and critiques the bourgeoisie.
Outstanding figures in Spain: Valera, Clarín, and Galdós.
Valera
In Córdoba late (Pepita Jiménez and Juanita la Larga)
Pepita Jiménez is an epistolary novel that recounts the romance of a young seminarian and a young widow.
Juanita la Larga: A novel that depicts the relationship of a widower and a young woman, Juanita, from the lower class.
Clarín
Born in Zamora and studied law. Wrote essays, short stories, literary criticism, and is known for La Regenta (The Madam) and Su Único Hijo (His Only Son).
La Regenta: It has religious and romantic sensuality. Its ending is tragic. Its theme is adultery and a critique of social classes and the power of the church. It is structured in two parts:
- “Three Days”: Extends throughout 15 chapters and primarily focuses on internal events.
- “Three Years”: Takes another 15 chapters and revolves around the love of Fermín for Ana and Ana’s love for Don Álvaro.
Galdós
Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and studied law but abandoned his studies to devote himself to literature. His novels can be classified into:
- Novels with a thesis: Presents and defends an idea (e.g., Marianela, Gloria, and Miss Perfect).
- Contemporary Spanish Novel: Focuses on Madrid and reflects a corrupt world (e.g., Tristana, Reality, and Fortunata and Jacinta).
- Spiritualist Novel: Proposes love and Christian charity as solutions to social problems, values that often lead their characters to failure (e.g., Mercy, Angel Guerra, and Grandpa).
He aspired to reflect reality; his language is sober, and his characters’ speech is natural and lifelike.
Fortunata and Jacinta is one of his most popular novels. It involves a love triangle. Fortunata gets pregnant, drops out, and finds another friend. The plot is described in detail. The central theme is deception,
although infertility, childbirth, or historical context also play a role. It has four parts:
- Five years: The love triangle leads to pregnancy.
- A year: Marriage occurs, and Fortunata has her second relationship.
- Eight months: Fortunata leaves and reconciles with her husband.
- Six months: Fortunata dies after delivering her son to Jacinta.