Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, and Azorín: Spanish Literature
Miguel de Unamuno (1864 – 1936)
Born in Bilbao, Miguel de Unamuno studied philosophy and literature in Madrid. He was exiled due to disagreements with the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and later served as a representative for the Republic. He died in Salamanca and is regarded as one of the most brilliant and profound intellectuals in Spanish culture.
Key Works
Unamuno’s work is an essential reference not only for the Generation of ’98 but for all of Spanish literature. The Basque writer cultivated
Read MoreRealism in Literature: Social Impact and Narrative Techniques
Realism in Literature
Major Impact of Social Changes and Scientific Developments
Realism had a major impact on social changes and scientific developments in the field of art and literature. The bourgeoisie abandoned the ideology of romanticism, which was too exalted, and replaced it with a realistic mindset more appropriate to a period no longer looking for radical changes. Social reality is described as it is and not as it should be. It seeks, above all, objectivity. The writer applies the experimental
Read MoreShakespearean Vocabulary and Phrases: A Comprehensive List
Shakespearean Vocabulary
Vocabulary 1
- Collar: A hangman’s noose
- Marry: A short form of “by the Virgin Mary” and so a mild exclamation
- Drawn: With your sword out
- Pernicious: Destructive
- Adversary: Enemy
- Ere: Before
- Fray: Fight
- Drave: Drove
- Rootheth: Grows
- Made: Moved
- Covert: Hiding place
- Portentous: An indication of evil to come
- Importuned: Asked in an urgent way
- Shrift: Confession
- Cousin: Any relative or close friend
- Vexed: Troubled
- Gall: Something causing bitterness; hate
- Soft: Wait a minute
- Sadness: Seriousness
- Bound:
Societal Hypocrisy and Failure in Vargas Llosa’s ‘The Cubs’
Hypocrisy and Marginalization
Cuéllar is attacked and emasculated by a dog and, therefore, condemned by his group of friends, a castration that will be hidden forever. Cuéllar tries to fill this gap by displaying his physical strength, creating false expectations in his environment. He becomes even more feminine, failing and dragging himself to commit the madness that ultimately leads to his eventual death. After the castration, the boy’s life will never be the same; he must confront the social
Read MoreAttachment Theory and Primary vs. Secondary Groups
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory explains how a child forms an emotional bond with a significant figure, typically the mother or father, or sometimes both. This attachment can be secure or anxious. Anxious attachment is considered pathological, indicating that some children struggle to understand social cues.
A child with a secure attachment feels safe to explore their environment, knowing they can return to their caregiver for comfort. John Bowlby introduced the concept of a “secure base,” where
Read MoreUnderstanding ‘On the Face of It’ and ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’
Understanding ‘On the Face of It’
Q1: Why is Derek Startled as Soon as He Enters the Garden?
A1: Derek enters Mr. Lamb’s garden by climbing over the boundary wall, believing there is no one in the garden. But no sooner does he land on the ground than he hears Mr. Lamb, the owner’s words, “Mind the apples!”. The presence of Mr. Lamb thus startles Derek.
Q2: What Terrible Complex Does Derek Suffer From?
A2: One side of Derek’s face was severely burned by acid. As a result, he looked very ugly. Nobody
Read More