20th Century Western Literature and Thought: Movements and Styles
Historical periods of the twentieth century
Throughout the twentieth century, the Western world is undergoing a profound transformation. Events that marked its history were the two world wars, the Russian Revolution and the cold outside.
Around the above events establishes the following historical periods:
- Of the century until the First World War (1900-1914). Period of economic expansion or artistic splendor. Develop workers’ movements, and intellectuals living the crisis of bourgeois consciousness.
The House of Bernarda Alba: A Critical Analysis
The House of Bernarda Alba
by Federico García Lorca
Written in 1936 and premiered in Buenos Aires, The House of Bernarda Alba tells the story of Bernarda, a widow who, at the age of 60, imposes an eight-year mourning period on her five daughters. The play begins with Bernarda’s despotism and the arrival of the mourning period. Angustias, the eldest daughter from Bernarda’s first marriage, inherits her father’s fortune, which creates tension among her sisters. She is also set to marry Pepe el Romano,
Read MoreThe Spanish Novel in Exile and Post-Civil War: A Literary Journey
The Novel of Exile: Characteristics, Main Authors, and Works
Many novelists who began publishing in Spain during the 1930s had to leave the country after the Civil War and continue their work abroad. Their novels express the anguish of separation and repeatedly address the theme of a divided Spain. Common themes include:
Remembrance of the Past
The past serves as a means to understand the historical roots of the war.
Testimony of the Present
The novel becomes a way to capture the reality surrounding
Spanish Baroque Literature: A Golden Age Masterpiece
1. Characteristics of the Spanish Baroque Period
The Baroque was a cultural movement that flourished in Spain during the 17th century, considered, alongside the Renaissance, part of the Golden Age of Spanish art.
Despite the economic and social hardships faced by the country, which led to widespread demoralization and pessimism, the Baroque period stands out as one of the most artistically prolific in Spanish history. This stark contrast between social reality and artistic brilliance is a defining
Read MoreSpanish Literature of the Golden Age
Quevedo
Quevedo’s works can be classified into several categories:
- Festive Works: Comic in nature, such as “The Roof” and “Letter to Another Cuckold”.
- Satirical Works: Criticizing societal vices and defects, like “Dreams”.
- Fiction: Notably, “The Buscon”, which portrays a pessimistic and cruel world through the life of rogues. It’s considered a masterpiece of Baroque prose.
- Doctrinal Works: Moral and political essays like “God’s Politics”, “Government of Christ”, and “Tyranny of Satan”.
Cervantes
Don Quixote
Don
Read More20th-Century Spanish Fiction (1900-1939): From Generation of ’98 to Avant-Garde
Theme 4: Twentieth-Century Spanish Fiction to 1939
1. The Novel of the Generation of ’98
Twentieth-century Spanish fiction reacted against the artistic trends of Realism and Naturalism. Novelists desired innovation in both themes and narrative forms, leading to significant changes in the novel. In this context, the Generation of ’98 emerged.
1.1 Ideological Crisis of the Generation of ’98
The Generation of ’98 developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a result of:
- The political,