Spanish Realism: A Deep Dive into Literary Movement
Spanish Realism
Key Characteristics
- Targeting: Focuses on the bourgeoisie.
- Objectivity: Modeled on scientific observation.
- Style: Simple, clear prose reflecting characters’ social class.
- Social Critique: Exposes an opportunistic, greedy bourgeoisie and characters who fail nobly.
- Detailed Depiction: Descriptive fidelity focuses on environments and characters, aiming to replicate contemporary society, including middle and lower classes. Characters are analyzed through their temperaments, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses.
Naturalism: An Evolution of Realism
Naturalism argues that human behavior results from genetic inheritance and environment. Emile Zola, in one of his works, attempts to reflect this theory through a family saga.
Stages of Realism
- Prerealism: Characterized by simple style and realistic dialogue. Key works include La Gaviota (Fernán Caballero) and El Sombrero de Tres Picos (Pedro Antonio de Alarcón).
- Realism: Describes reality through various novel types:
- Novel of contemporary events: Focuses on observation and character portrayal.
- Thesis novel: The plot reflects the author’s moral stance.
- Psychological novel: Focuses on character psychology and conflict.
- Spiritualist realism: Social portrait and critique of the bourgeoisie with an evangelical dimension.
Key Authors of Spanish Realism
Leopoldo Alas “Clarín”
Born in Zamora, lived mainly in Asturias as a student and law professor. His time in Madrid as a student launched his writing career in newspapers. He wrote stories, literary criticism, and two major novels: La Regenta and Su Único Hijo.
La Regenta
- Plot: Ana, torn between religious sentimentality (exploited by her confessor, Fermín de Pas) and romantic sensuality (leading her to Álvaro Mesía), faces a tragic end. Her husband dies in a duel with Don Álvaro, leaving her abandoned and condemned.
- Themes: Adultery, power of the church, ambition.
- Structure: Divided into two parts.
Benito Pérez Galdós
Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, moved to Madrid to study law but dedicated his life to literature. His works aim to replicate society and encompass all social classes.
Galdós’s Novels
- First Period: Presents and defends ideas through Manichean characters (e.g., Marianela, Gloria, Doña Perfecta).
- Contemporary Spanish Novels: Focuses on Madrid, depicting a corrupt world dominated by speculation (e.g., Tristana, La Desheredada, Fortunata y Jacinta).
- Spiritual Novels: Proposes love and Christian charity as solutions to social problems (e.g., Misericordia, Ángel Guerra, El Abuelo).
Fortunata y Jacinta
- Plot: Fortunata, Juanito’s lover, marries her cousin Jacinta. After becoming pregnant, Juanito abandons Fortunata for another woman. Fortunata falls into a difficult life, marrying Maxi Rubín. However, she reconciles with Juanito and becomes pregnant again. She gives birth but dies soon after, entrusting her son to Jacinta.
- Theme: Heartbreak.
- Structure: Divided into four parts representing different time periods.