Literature Review Flashcards

Key terms and definitions from lecture notes for exam preparation.

Pablo Neruda: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Early to Late Career)

Neruda was a versatile writer, embracing surrealism, historical epics, political manifestos, autobiographical prose, and love poetry. His work mirrored his evolving political stances and deep personal emotions. Key themes include time's passage, the power of nature, and personal remembrance. (Born: 1904, Died: 1973, Nobel Prize: 1971)

Vicente Aleixandre: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Surrealist Influences)

Aleixandre was deeply inspired by Surrealism, employing techniques like free-flowing word associations, distinctive symbolism, and dark humor. His thematic focus shifted from a sense of oneness with nature and an acute awareness of suffering, to themes of unity, human connection, aging, and mortality. (Born: 1898, Died: 1984, Nobel Prize: 1977)

Gabriel García Márquez: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Magical Realism)

García Márquez is celebrated for his pioneering use of magical realism, which served as a lens to explore the realities and conflicts of Latin America. Central themes in his work include solitude, the mythical town of Macondo, violence, Latin American culture and society, and political issues specific to the region. (Born: 1927, Died: 2014, Nobel Prize: 1982)

Camilo José Cela: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Social Criticism in Post-War Spain)

Cela's work offers critical commentary on Spanish society following the war. His literary approach, termed "Objectivismo," uses documentary realism and introduces "Tremendismo" to highlight the harsh realities of life. His work challenges the ideals of the Franco regime, focusing on themes such as pessimism, poverty, marginalization, lack of freedom, and the role of women in Franco's Spain. (Born: 1916, Died: 2002, Nobel Prize: 1989)

Octavio Paz: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Postmodernism and Cultural Reflection)

Paz's style blends dreamlike imagery with sensuality, engaging in political and cultural reflection through a postmodern lens. His works challenge rigid understandings of identity and portray time as cyclical, emphasizing recurring historical and cultural patterns. (Born: 1914, Nobel Prize: 1990)

Elena Garro: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Magical Realism and Temporal Distortion)

Garro is renowned for her contributions to magical realism. Her distinctive exploration of time and identity is marked by temporal disruptions and a fragmented sense of self, often reflecting her experiences in exile from Mexico (1968–1993).

Mario Vargas Llosa: Stylistic, Ideological, and Political Overview (Power, Memory, and Narrative Structure)

Llosa's work delves into themes of power and corruption, trauma, and memory, enhanced by innovative narrative structures. Much of his fiction is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, such as the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.

Pablo Neruda: Writing Style and Themes (Poetic Evolution)

Neruda’s writing is noted for its stylistic diversity, oscillating between surrealist and politically charged works. His poetry explores themes of time, nature, and individual memories, frequently reflecting his evolving political beliefs and profound personal emotions.

Vicente Aleixandre: Writing Style and Themes (Surrealism and Humanism)

Aleixandre’s writing is heavily rooted in Surrealism, marked by the inclusion of free associations, unconventional symbols, and dark humor. His thematic journey progresses from a focus on nature and suffering to themes of human solidarity and the acceptance of aging and mortality.

Gabriel García Márquez: Writing Style and Themes (Magical Realism and Latin American Identity)

García Márquez is best known for his use of magical realism to examine the life and conflicts of Latin America. His major themes encompass solitude, the allegorical town of Macondo, violence, Latin American culture and society, and regional politics.

Camilo José Cela: Writing Style and Themes (Objective Social Critique)

Cela’s work is defined by its objective social criticism, which exposes societal problems in post-war Spain. He employed innovative techniques such as Objectivismo and documentary realism, and he introduced the literary concept of Tremendismo to emphasize the stark, often brutal aspects of life, challenging the established norms of Francoist Spain.

Octavio Paz: Writing Style and Themes (Dreamlike Imagery and Cyclical Time)

Paz’s style is characterized by dreamlike imagery and sensuality, combined with political and cultural reflection influenced by postmodernism. His works question fixed perceptions of the self and present time as a cyclical phenomenon.

Elena Garro: Writing Style and Themes (Magical Realism and Dislocation)

Garro is best recognized for her contributions to magical realism. She is also notable for her unique treatment of time and identity, which involves temporal dislocation and a fragmented sense of self.

Mario Vargas Llosa: Writing Style and Themes (Power Dynamics and Historical Context)

Llosa’s work centers on themes such as power and corruption, trauma, and memory, which are developed through sophisticated narrative structures. Many of his novels are set in significant historical periods, such as the era of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.

Comparative Analysis: Magical Realism in García Márquez and Garro

While both García Márquez and Garro are prominent figures in magical realism, Márquez utilizes it to explore broad societal themes within Latin America, whereas Garro concentrates more on the individual’s fragmented identity and unique perception of time.

Comparative Analysis: Political and Ideological Approaches of Neruda and Paz

Both Neruda and Paz integrate political elements into their poetry; however, Neruda’s work often directly reflects his political affiliations and evolving views, while Paz offers broader political and cultural insights shaped by postmodernism.

Comparative Analysis: Social Criticism in Cela and Vargas Llosa

Cela’s Tremendismo vividly critiques post-war Spain, while Llosa uses narrative to explore power and corruption in contexts like Trujillo’s Dominican Republic. They differ in focus but share a critical view of societal issues.

Comparative Analysis: Stylistic Approaches of Aleixandre and García Márquez

Aleixandre’s surrealist style contrasts sharply with García Márquez’s magical realism; Aleixandre examines the subconscious, whereas García Márquez merges fantasy with reality to mirror Latin American themes.

The Feast of the Goat: Plot Summary and Key Details

The novel intricately depicts Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, providing perspectives from Trujillo, his inner circle, and Urania Cabral, who returns to confront past traumas inflicted by the regime. Key plot details include the planning and execution of Trujillo's assassination, and Urania's personal journey of confronting her family's involvement and her own victimization.

The Feast of the Goat: Key Characters and Their Roles

Rafael Trujillo is the ruthless dictator at the center of the story. Urania Cabral is the protagonist who returns to confront her past. Agustín Cabral, Urania’s father, was once a high-ranking official in Trujillo’s government. Other characters include members of Trujillo's inner circle and the conspirators involved in his assassination, each representing different facets of Dominican society under dictatorship.

The Feast of the Goat: Importance and Themes Explored

The novel is significant for its detailed portrayal of the Trujillo dictatorship, exploring themes of trauma, power, corruption, and political repression's lasting impact. It reveals a somber chapter in Dominican history and examines the psychological and social consequences of authoritarian rule.

Magical Realism

A literary style that integrates fantastical or mythical elements into realistic fiction, exploring themes of reality, identity, and society.

Surrealism

A literary and artistic movement that explores the subconscious mind, using dreamlike imagery and irrational associations to challenge conventional understanding.

Tremendismo

A literary movement characterized by stark, brutal realism, emphasizing the harsh and sordid aspects of life, particularly in post-war Spain. Camilo José Cela notably employed this style.

Magical Realism in García Márquez

Gabriel García Márquez's distinctive genre of writing that blends fantastical elements with reality, deeply rooted in the socio-political context of Latin America.

Surrealism in Aleixandre

Vicente Aleixandre's exploration of the subconscious through free association, unconventional symbolism, and dark humor.

Tremendismo in Cela

Camilo José Cela's objective and stark portrayal of Spanish society after the Civil War, emphasizing the grim realities through documentary realism.

Magical Realism in Garro

Elena Garro's approach to magical realism, focusing on temporal distortions and fragmented identities influenced by her personal experiences and historical context.