Spanish Romanticism and Realism: Authors and Works
Emergence of New Themes in Romanticism
Key themes: Pessimism, love in extreme situations, interest in exotic and faraway places, glorification of the past, reflection of human feelings, and descriptions of landscapes.
Romantic Features
- Mixture of prose and verse.
- Combination of genres; drama breaks the rules of Neoclassical prose.
- Historicist.
- Costumbrismo: Depiction of everyday life scenes.
Larra (1809-1837)
Born in Madrid in 1809. He wrote a historical novel and a tragedy but is best known for his journalism. He used the pseudonym “Figaro.” He criticized Spanish society from a liberal perspective. Notable articles include “Vuelva usted mañana” and “En este país.”
Espronceda (1808-1842)
Born in 1808. He led a rather haphazard life. He dedicated himself to literature, journalism, and politics. His works show defiance against the world, full of passionate feeling, making him a prototype of liberal Romanticism. Key works: “El Estudiante de Salamanca,” “El diablo mundo,” and “Canción del pirata.”
Zorrilla (1817-1893)
Born in Valladolid in 1817. He was a poet (he read some verses at Larra’s funeral). He wrote novels and legends, such as “Margarita la tornera” and “A buen juez, mejor testigo.” He was also a journalist. His greatest successes were due to his work as a playwright, including “Don Juan Tenorio” and “Traidor, inconfeso y mártir.” He represents conservative Romanticism.
Bécquer (1836-1870)
Born in Seville in 1836. He was a journalist and a late Romantic. His poems have a central theme: love. Alongside this, he reflects on poetry and poetic language. His most notable works are “Rimas y Leyendas.”
Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885)
A prominent figure of late Romanticism. Born in Santiago de Compostela in 1837. She began writing fiction, articles, and poems at a young age. She is regarded as a great poet of the 19th century and holds major importance in Galician literature. Key works in Galician: Follas Novas and Cantares gallegos. Her last book, written in Castilian, is “En las orillas del Sar.”
Features of Realism
- Characters drawn from contemporary life.
- Settings are recognizable to the reader.
- Divergent interests, issues, conflicts, and feelings of various social classes.
- Language is appropriate to the character.
- Omniscient narrator.
- Moral intention.
Naturalism
- Application of the experimental method in the observation of reality.
- Importance of heredity and environment.
- Presence of the most unpleasant aspects of reality.
- Interest in marginal characters.
Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (1833-1891)
His writing shows the coexistence of Romantic features and realistic elements related to his political thinking. Notable works: El sombrero de tres picos, El Pródigo, and El Escándalo.
Juan Valera (1824-1905)
An atypical author more interested in portraying moods than in detailed descriptions of the environment. Notable works: Pepita Jiménez and Juanita la Larga.
Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851-1921)
She defended the ideas of Naturalism. Notable works: La prueba and La sirena negra.
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez (1867-1928)
Author of naturalistic novels. Notable works: Arroz y tartana, Cañas y barro, and La barraca.
Galdós (1843-1920)
Born in Las Palmas in 1843, he studied law in Madrid. His novels reflect a progressive and liberal mindset. He portrayed all social classes, but mostly the middle class. Characters convey everyday life problems. His progressive ideology is evident. The language often reflects the use of street slang and is rich in nuances and popular expressions. He uses an omniscient narrator, narration, and dialogue.
Episodios Nacionales: 46 books narrating the history of Spain (from battles to domestic life). Mixing fact and fiction and the presence of all social classes.
Clarín (Leopoldo Alas, 1852-1901)
Born in Zamora in 1852. His work draws on reality. Characters are deeply portrayed. He uses natural, expressive, simple, and modest language. Recreation is based on the surrounding environment. There is a moral intent behind the condemnation of the evils and hypocrisy of society. Key works: “La Regenta” and “Su único hijo.”
La Regenta
Considered a masterpiece of the realistic novel. Ana Ozores is caught between Víctor Quintanar, Álvaro Mesía, and Fermín de Pas. The story is set in Vetusta (Oviedo).