Romanticism: Social History, John V. Gonzalez & Jorge Isaacs
Romanticism & Social History
Key Characteristics:
- Subjectivity: The author tells the story from their personal perspective.
- Historical Interpretation: History is interpreted through the author’s feelings.
- Literary Devices: Use of metaphors, imagery, and lyrical resources (poems, rhymes, poetry).
- Landscape as Setting: The landscape serves as a backdrop, not the main focus.
- Pompous Narrative: The story is often told in a grand, elevated style.
Biography of John V. Gonzalez
Born in Caracas, 1811. Studied Philosophy at UCV. In 1830, he published his first book, The Catilenarias. Married Josefa Rodil nine years later. He taught history and drama in Caracas schools. A founder of The Venezuelan newspaper, he also headed the Canton of Caracas and edited The Evening and La Prensa, documenting the country’s social and political history. During Guzmán’s rise to power, he wrote Mesenianas, expressing his sadness about Venezuela. The title references elegies about Messenia, Greece. His elegies cover various topics, all sharing concern for Venezuela, patriotic values, and the cult of heroes. In 1858, he re-entered politics, opposing the new regime, which almost led to his exile. He wrote a sonnet to Bolivar and a biography of Joseph F. Rivas. He died in Caracas in October 1866.
Romanticism & Jorge Isaacs (19th Century)
Key Themes:
- Love: Romantic love was portrayed as extreme, even pathological.
- Autobiographical Elements: The author’s life details are included in the work.
- Local Color: Latin American settings are incorporated (e.g., Maria, Cali).
- Idealized Landscape: The landscape is presented as a perfect, idealized place.
- Romantic Elements: Used to enhance the work.
- Exoticism: Elements from other countries are included, though reality is not completely evaded.
Biography of Jorge Isaacs
Born in Cali, Colombia, in 1837. He attended schools in Cali, Popayan, and Bogota, but did not graduate from the College of the Holy Spirit. At 15, he returned to Valle del Cauca, the setting for much of his novel. At 16, he participated in his first war. He fought for the Liberal government, but always found refuge in literature. He published the first song of Saul Poem, dedicated to President Roca of Argentina. In 1880, he published The Radical Revolution of Antioquia, explaining his involvement in the invasion of his state. He also served as consul in Santiago, Chile. Jorge Isaacs died in Ibague in April 1895, poor and disillusioned, a victim of his political failures, without financial reward for his contributions to Latin American literature.