20th Century Spanish Literature: A Poetic & Narrative Journey
1. Early 20th Century Literature (1900-1939)
1.1. The Dawn of Modernism
Modernism marked the resurgence of anxiety, a characteristic of European Romantic literature. This era saw the revival of Symbolism and Parnassianism. Key themes included escapism, cosmopolitanism, romantic love, eroticism, and Hispanic American identity. Modernist poets emphasized sensory effects and poetic language, focusing on sound, rhythm, and symbolism. Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario ushered in this era with Azul (1888).
Read MoreSpanish Literature from 1900-1936: Generations of ’98, ’14, and ’27
1. Introduction: Spanish Literature (1900-1936)
This period is marked by three distinct literary generations:
- Generation of ’98
- Generation of ’14 (Novecentismo)
- Generation of ’27
These generations share key innovations:
- Break from Realism and Naturalism: A crisis of faith in rationalism leads to pessimism and existential angst (e.g., Unamuno and Baroja).
- Art as Refuge: Art becomes an escape from reality.
- Emphasis on Analysis: Focus shifts from reflecting reality to analyzing circumstances, leading to impressionistic
15th-Century Spanish Literature: An Overview
Old Romances
Short epic-lyrical compositions arose from the fragmentation of the chanson de geste. Another view is that ballads are creations of a single individual, as the oldest samples are lyrical and romantic, not epic.
Evolution and Transmission of Romance
The first manifestations were transmitted orally during the 15th century. Along the 16th century, authors included them in worship and songbooks. In the second half of the 17th century, the romance started to decline and took refuge in villages.
Read More19th-Century Literature: Post-Romanticism and Realism
Realism
General Features
- Positivism: Focus on visible facts and experimentation.
- Influence of evolutionism.
- Influence of Marxism in the latter half of the century.
- Real-life as an aesthetic object.
- Focus on everyday events.
- Critique of sociopolitical issues.
- Simple and sober style.
- Emphasis on the novel.
Typical Novel Features
- Characters with problematic relationships.
- Realistic stories and fragments of reality.
- Omniscient narrator.
- Didactic and moral intent.
- Linear timeline.
- Detailed descriptions.
- Colloquial language.
Modernism in Spanish Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Modernism in Spanish Literature
Characteristics of Modernism
Modernism is characterized by its emphasis on aesthetic beauty, prioritizing beauty over everything else. Authors sought an escape from reality, setting their works in remote locations and times. Texts often depict a bygone era of luxury and refinement or cosmopolitan civilizations, favoring urban settings. Common themes include boredom, apathy, and melancholy. Symbolic elements like the swan, which became a symbol of Modernist aesthetics,
Read MoreCatalan Language and Literature 4: Argumentation and Debate
Catalan Language and Literature 4
Theoretical Summary
Topic 4: Argumentation and Debate
What Does it Mean to Argue?
If we carefully analyze the speeches, oral or written, that we produce every day, we realize that we are constantly arguing: when trying to convince someone to buy or make a resource, when writing to request the withdrawal of a fine from the Administration.
The purpose of argumentation is to convince the receiver of something. Therefore, to argue is to defend an idea through convincing
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