Spanish Literature: Galdós, Jovellanos, and the Realistic Novel
Benito Pérez Galdós
Life and Works
Benito Pérez Galdós was born in Gran Canaria in 1843. In 1862, he moved to Madrid, where he developed a keen interest in social, political, and ideological issues. Defined as progressive and anti-clerical, Galdós penned his first novel, “La Fontana de Oro”, which marked the rebirth of the Spanish novel. He embarked on the ambitious project of writing the National Episodes, a series of 46 novels chronicling Spanish history from the War of Independence to the Restoration. These novels, divided into five series, offer a critical perspective on Spanish intransigence and established Galdós as a master of the historical novel.
Galdós also wrote contemporary novels, including “Doña Perfecta”, “Gloria”, and “The Family of Leon Roch”. These works explore the ideological clashes within Spanish society, particularly the conflict between tradition and modernity. Galdós’s later years were marked by personal tragedies, including the loss of his sight and economic hardship. He died in Madrid in 1920.
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
Jovellanos and Spain
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos was a prominent figure of the Spanish Enlightenment. His deep concern for Spain’s progress is evident in his numerous reports and projects. Jovellanos’s work focused on four key themes:
- Material Progress: In his “Report on the Agrarian Law,” Jovellanos identified the obstacles hindering Spanish agriculture and proposed solutions.
- Public Education: He advocated for cultural and moral education, as seen in his “General Plan of Public Education.” Jovellanos believed that education was fundamental for societal progress and founded the Royal Institute of Asturias.
- Cultural History: Jovellanos wrote extensively on Spanish art and culture. His works include “Memory for the Settlement of Police Shows” and “In Praise of the Fine Arts.”
- Politics: Jovellanos held liberal political views and defended his integrity in his “Memory in Defense of the Central Board.”
Jovellanos’s prose, characterized by its didactic purpose, clarity, and elegance, exemplifies the best of 18th-century Spanish prose.
The Realistic Novel in Spain
Second Half of the 19th Century
The second half of the 19th century witnessed significant societal changes in Europe, including the rise of the bourgeoisie and the emergence of the proletariat. These changes, coupled with the influence of positivism, led to the rise of literary realism, with the novel as its primary genre.
Characteristics of Realistic Novels:
- Close observation of reality and thorough documentation.
- Objective narration, often resembling journalistic reporting.
- Social intent, with the aim of exposing societal ills.
- Rejection of Romantic rhetoric and adoption of language appropriate to the characters.
The realistic novel aimed to provide a comprehensive portrayal of society, reflecting its characters, settings, and problems. In Spain, realism emerged later than in other European countries, but it quickly gained traction due to the existing tradition of realism in Spanish literature, exemplified by the picaresque novel and the works of Cervantes.
Three Periods of Spanish Realism:
- Pre-Realism: Authors like Fernán Caballero (“The Seagull”) and Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (“The Three-Cornered Hat”) explored the influence of social environment on characters’ behavior.
- First Realism: Galdós’s early works, such as “La Fontana de Oro,” represent the novel of thesis, where characters serve to illustrate an idea or thesis. This period saw two trends: conservative authors who idealized regional life (Pereda, Palacio Valdés) and progressive authors who advocated for social change (Galdós).
- Consolidation of Realism: In the 1880s and 1890s, realism matured, with authors like Galdós, Valera, and Clarín achieving greater objectivity and depth in their portrayal of characters and settings.