Knowt
La literatura romántica, realista y naturalista (AP)
Unit 4: Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism
In 19th-century Spanish literature, Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism played significant roles. Romanticism highlighted emotions and imagination, while Realism aimed for an objective portrayal of everyday life. Naturalism extended Realism by examining the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior. These movements mirrored the social and political shifts in Spain during the time. While Romanticism romanticized the past, Realism and Naturalism focused on current societal issues. Prominent writers like Bécquer, Galdós, and Pardo Bazán made a profound impact, shaping the direction of Spanish literature for future generations.
Romanticism
Focuses on individualism and subjectivity, highlighting emotions and imagination
Advocates for freedom of expression and breaking from traditional literary norms
Celebrates nature as a source of inspiration and a reflection of the divine
Explores themes of love, passion, and the supernatural, often with elements of mystery and the exotic
Uses vivid and descriptive language to evoke strong emotions and create atmospheric settings
Incorporates symbolism and metaphor to express deeper meanings and universal truths
Idealizes the past, particularly the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as periods of greater authenticity and nobility
Works and their Authors
José de Espronceda, known for his poetry collection "Poesías" and the narrative poem "El estudiante de Salamanca"
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, famous for his lyrical poetry collection "Rimas" and the short story collection "Leyendas"
"Rimas" is characterized by its intimate, melancholic tone and exploration of love, loss, and the power of poetry
"Leyendas" features supernatural and folkloric elements, blending reality and fantasy in a dreamlike atmosphere
José Zorrilla, best known for his play "Don Juan Tenorio," a romantic interpretation of the legendary seducer
Mariano José de Larra, a prominent essayist and satirist who critiqued Spanish society and politics in works like "Artículos de costumbres"
Rosalía de Castro, a Galician poet who wrote in both Spanish and Galician, known for her collection "En las orillas del Sar"
Ángel de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas, author of the historical drama "Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino"
Realism
Realism arose as a response to the idealism and emotionalism of Romanticism
Aimed to portray reality objectively, focusing on the lives of ordinary people
Influenced by scientific and philosophical advancements like positivism and determinism
Highlighted the importance of observation and documentation to capture the truth of human experience
Addressed the social and political issues of the time, such as the impacts of industrialization and the rise of the middle class
Gained prominence in Spanish literature in the mid-19th century, coexisting with Romantic elements
Works in Spanish Literature
Benito Pérez Galdós, a key figure in Spanish Realism, is renowned for his extensive series of novels, Episodios Nacionales, which blends fictional characters with real historical events, chronicling Spanish history from the late 18th to the early 19th century.
Leopoldo Alas, or Clarín, is celebrated for his novel La Regenta, a masterpiece of psychological realism.
Emilia Pardo Bazán, a pioneering female writer, brought naturalism to Spanish literature with works like Los pazos de Ulloa.
Juan Valera is known for his novel Pepita Jiménez, which explores the conflict between religious devotion and earthly love.
José María de Pereda, a regionalist author, depicted the customs and landscapes of his native Cantabria in novels like Sotileza.
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, a Valencian writer, focused on social issues and injustice in novels such as La barraca and Cañas y barro.
Naturalism
Naturalism extends Realism by focusing on how heredity and environment shape human behavior
Influenced by Charles Darwin's scientific theories and the philosophical concept of determinism
Portrays characters as products of their biological and social conditions, often highlighting the lower classes and marginalized groups
Explores taboo topics and the darker sides of human nature, such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexual deviance
Uses a detached, scientific narrative style to objectively study human behavior
Notable Spanish Naturalist works include Emilia Pardo Bazán's La tribuna and Benito Pérez Galdós's Lo prohibido
More Works and Analysis
“En una tempestad” – José María Heredia
Title: En una tempestad
Author: José María Heredia
Genre: Romantic poetry
Context: Written during the Romantic period, the poem reflects the movement's themes of nature, emotion, and individualism. José María Heredia was a Cuban poet, known for his passion for freedom and the portrayal of nature's power.
Theme:
The poem explores nature's power and its connection to human emotion.
It presents a conflict between humanity and the forces of nature, emphasizing nature's overwhelming and uncontrollable force.
The storm symbolizes both chaos and freedom, representing the poet's inner turmoil and desire for liberty.
Structure:
The poem is a lyric, typically following a structured meter and rhyme scheme, which contrasts with the wildness of the storm depicted.
Heredia uses imagery and personification to give nature a powerful and dynamic presence.
The storm becomes an allegory for the poet's internal struggle, hinting at his political and personal conflicts.
Imagery and Symbolism:
The storm is a symbol of nature's unpredictability and the emotional intensity of the poet.
Heredia uses vivid images of wind, rain, and thunder to convey the overwhelming power of nature.
The sea's turbulence mirrors human struggle and revolutionary ideas, hinting at the poet's longing for freedom from colonial oppression.
Tone and Mood:
The tone is dramatic and intense, with the poet expressing awe and fear in response to nature's forces.
There is a sense of reverence for nature's power, yet an undercurrent of defiance emerges, as the storm's ferocity seems to align with the poet's desire for personal and political freedom.
The mood transitions from fear to liberation, paralleling the progression of the storm's fury and eventual calm.
Poetic Devices:
Personification: The storm is described as if it has human qualities, emphasizing its power and dominance.
Metaphor: The tempest represents both the poet's inner turmoil and the broader social unrest, particularly the political turmoil of Cuba under Spanish colonial rule.
Simile: The poet compares the storm to various figures or elements of nature, enhancing the vividness of the scene.
Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds in phrases like "rugir del viento" creates a sense of rhythm and intensifies the feeling of the storm’s presence.
Historical and Political Context:
The poem was written during a time of political unrest in Cuba, reflecting Heredia’s desire for independence from Spanish rule.
The storm may symbolize the oppression and chaos caused by colonialism, while the eventual calm suggests hope for a better, freer future.
Conclusion:
En una tempestad embodies the Romantic ideal of the sublime, where nature's overwhelming force mirrors the intense emotional and political struggles of the poet.
Heredia uses the storm to explore the themes of freedom, power, and the human spirit, creating a work that connects personal emotion with broader social and political movements.
The poem remains a strong example of Romantic literature, using nature as both a reflective and transformative force.
Rima LIII, "Volverán las oscuras golondrinas” – Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Title: Rima LIII, "Volverán las oscuras golondrinas"
Author: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Genre: Romantic poetry
Context: Written during the Spanish Romantic period, Rima LIII reflects the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Bécquer is one of the most prominent figures in Spanish Romanticism, known for his exploration of melancholic and nostalgic emotions.
Theme:
The poem explores unrequited love and the irrevocability of the past.
It emphasizes the transience of life and the impermanence of human experiences, particularly love and emotional connections.
The idea of nostalgia and the longing for a lost, unattainable love is central to the poem.
Structure:
The poem is written in octaves (8-line stanzas), following a structured ABAB rhyme scheme that reflects the cyclical, repetitive nature of the poem's themes.
The repetitive refrain “Volverán” ("They will return") gives the poem a melancholic and rhythmic quality, reinforcing the longing for the return of love and the idea of repetition in life.
Imagery and Symbolism:
The swallow (golondrina) symbolizes return, renewal, and unrequited love. The return of the swallow contrasts with the absence of the lover, emphasizing the unfulfilled longing.
The dark swallows (oscuras golondrinas) evoke a sense of melancholy and loss, as well as the fading of past happiness.
The garden and flowers represent a lost, idyllic past, and the songs of the birds symbolize the fleeting beauty of youth and love.
Time is a recurring theme, as the poem contrasts the cyclical nature of nature (returning swallows) with the irreversibility of human love.
Tone and Mood:
The tone is nostalgic, sorrowful, and regretful, as the speaker reflects on lost love and the passage of time.
The mood evokes a sense of sadness and yearning, highlighting the emotional weight of unfulfilled longing and the loss of youthful experiences.
The refrain gives the poem a repetitive nature, creating a sense of resignation and inevitability about the fleeting nature of love and life.
Poetic Devices:
Repetition: The repeated use of “Volverán” throughout the poem emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of nature’s return, though it contrasts with the inability of human experiences to repeat.
Metaphor: The swallows serve as a metaphor for lost love and the passage of time, highlighting the idea that while nature can repeat itself, human emotions cannot be reclaimed in the same way.
Personification: The swallows are described as returning, as if they have human-like agency, which emphasizes the idea of nature's cyclical nature compared to human emotional experiences.
Symbolism: The garden and flowers represent youth and love, while the swallows symbolize fleeting moments and the idea of things that return but cannot recreate the past.
Historical and Literary Context:
The poem reflects the Romantic emphasis on intense emotion and subjectivity, typical of the movement’s exploration of personal feelings of loss, longing, and despair.
Bécquer was part of the Spanish Romanticism movement, and his works often reflect the era’s focus on individual emotion, the supernatural, and the passing of time.
Conclusion:
Rima LIII exemplifies the Romantic ideals of introspection, emotional depth, and the impermanence of love.
The use of nature imagery (especially the swallows) underscores the contrast between the eternal return of nature and the transient nature of human love.
Bécquer’s exploration of the impossibility of recapturing lost love and the inevitable passage of time connects deeply with the universal experience of nostalgia and loss, making the poem resonate across generations.
The poem's structure, tone, and use of symbolism reinforce the Romantic themes of beauty, longing, and the melancholy that often accompanies love and memory.
“Las medias rojas” – Emilia Pardo Bazán
Title: Las medias rojas
Author: Emilia Pardo Bazán
Genre: Naturalism, Short Story
Context: Written during the late 19th century, Las medias rojas is one of the key works in Spanish Naturalism. Pardo Bazán, a pioneering female writer, introduced the movement to Spanish literature, particularly emphasizing how environment and heredity influence human behavior.
Theme:
The story explores the oppression of women and the power dynamics between social classes.
It examines the brutality and injustice in everyday life, particularly in rural settings, where poverty and violence dominate.
The illusion of escape and the limited opportunities for self-advancement, especially for women, are central to the narrative.
Plot Summary:
The story centers around Ildara, a young woman living in rural Spain, who dreams of a better life.
She buys a pair of red stockings (medias rojas) as a symbol of her desire to escape her harsh reality.
Her father, Clodio, sees the stockings as a threat to their traditional lifestyle and, in a violent outburst, physically attacks her, destroying her hopes of escape.
The story ends with Ildara left broken, physically and emotionally, her dreams shattered by the harsh reality of her circumstances.
Structure and Style:
The story follows a linear narrative, with a clear beginning, conflict, and tragic resolution.
Pardo Bazán uses a naturalist style to depict the gritty reality of life, focusing on the physical and psychological impact of the environment on the characters.
The short story is tightly written, with descriptive passages that highlight the bleakness of Ildara’s world.
Symbolism:
The red stockings (medias rojas) symbolize Ildara’s aspiration for a better life, representing her dreams of freedom, youth, and independence.
The violence of the father symbolizes the crushing power of tradition and patriarchy, which holds Ildara back from achieving her dreams.
The rural setting symbolizes the isolation and harshness of provincial life, where survival is difficult and dreams are quickly destroyed.
Tone and Mood:
The tone is grim and tragic, reflecting the harshness of Ildara’s life and the brutal consequences of her desire for escape.
The mood is one of despair, as the reader witnesses Ildara’s fleeting hope being violently extinguished.
There is also a sense of inevitability—Ildara’s fate seems sealed by the environment and social forces that surround her.
Naturalism and Social Commentary:
The story adheres to Naturalism, which focuses on the ways environment and heredity shape individuals.
Pardo Bazán critiques the oppressive, patriarchal society, where women have limited autonomy and are subject to violence and exploitation.
The economic hardship of rural life, as well as the lack of opportunities for women, is a key focus in the story, reflecting the broader social injustices of the time.
Psychological Depth:
The story explores Ildara’s inner conflict—her desire to escape, her hope for a better life, and the harsh reality that she faces.
The father’s violence is portrayed as instinctual and irrational, driven by a combination of jealousy, misogyny, and class resentment.
Conclusion:
Las medias rojas is a powerful critique of the social and economic conditions that limit individual freedom, particularly for women in rural Spain.
Pardo Bazán uses naturalistic techniques to expose the brutality of life and the ways in which societal forces—such as patriarchy, poverty, and tradition—crush the dreams of the oppressed.
The tragic ending of Ildara reinforces the harshness of reality and the idea that escape from one's circumstances is often unattainable, especially for those constrained by gender and class.
Comparison of the Three Movements
Romanticism
Emphasizes emotion, imagination, and individualism, prioritizing personal expression and inner feelings over reason or logic
Focuses on the inner world of the writer, exploring deep emotions and the sublime
Idealizes the past, especially the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as periods of greater authenticity and nobility
Celebrates nature as a source of inspiration, often presenting it as mystical or divine
Explores themes of love, passion, the supernatural, and mystery, often including exotic or faraway settings
Works tend to be lyrical, symbolic, and imaginative, often featuring vivid, emotional language
Reflects the post-Enlightenment era's idealism and the growing interest in personal freedom and artistic expression
Realism
Reacts against the idealism and emotionalism of Romanticism by focusing on objective observation and a more scientific approach to literature
Emphasizes the portrayal of ordinary life and common people, capturing everyday events and social conditions
Social commentary plays a crucial role, often addressing class struggles, industrialization, and the impact of urbanization
Rejects the romanticized, exotic portrayals of life, opting instead for unvarnished and factual depictions of reality
Uses more prosaic and descriptive language to give a grounded, realistic portrayal of characters and settings
Reflects the growing social and political consciousness of the time, responding to the challenges of modernity and the rise of the middle class
Naturalism
Builds upon Realism by incorporating scientific theories (such as Darwinism) and determinism in its exploration of human nature
Focuses on how heredity and environment shape human behavior, often portraying characters as products of their biological and social circumstances
Frequently deals with taboo subjects and the darker side of life, such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexual deviance
Characters are often from the lower classes or marginalized groups, providing a stark view of societal inequalities
Uses a detached, scientific style to study human behavior and social conditions, attempting to depict life without idealization or sentimentality
Portrays life as shaped by external forces, reflecting the growing influence of science and the rise of social sciences in the late 19th century
Commonalities and Evolution
All three movements reflect the changing social, political, and intellectual climate of the 19th century
Romanticism reflects the idealistic and individualistic spirit of the early 19th century, responding to the excesses of the Enlightenment and the upheaval of the French Revolution
Realism emerges as a response to Romanticism's emotional excess, seeking to portray a more grounded, practical reality
Naturalism pushes the boundaries of Realism, introducing a more scientific, deterministic view of human nature and social conditions
While Romanticism often idealizes the past and seeks escape, Realism and Naturalism are more concerned with the present and everyday life
Over time, the movements evolve from lyrical and symbolic works in Romanticism to prosaic and objective representations in Realism and Naturalism, responding to the needs of a rapidly changing world
Historical Context
The 19th century in Spain was marked by political instability, with alternating periods of liberal and conservative rule
The Napoleonic Wars and the War of Independence (1808-1814) had a profound impact on Spanish society and culture
The rise of the middle class and the growth of cities led to new social challenges, such as poverty and inequality
The Catholic Church's influence remained strong, but was increasingly challenged by secular and progressive ideas
The Romantic movement in Spain was influenced by broader European trends, particularly from France and England
Realism and Naturalism in Spain were shaped by specific social and political events, such as the Glorious Revolution of 1868 and the Restoration of 1874
Importance in Modern Literature
Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism laid the groundwork for the evolution of modern Spanish literature
The focus on individualism and subjectivity in Romanticism opened the door for the exploration of the inner world in later movements, such as Modernismo
The attention to social issues and the lives of ordinary people in Realism and Naturalism influenced the rise of social realism in the early 20th century
The psychological depth and complexity of characters in Realist and Naturalist works foreshadowed the innovations of the Generation of '98 and Generation of '27
The impact of these movements can be seen in the works of 20th-century Spanish authors like Federico García Lorca, Miguel de Unamuno, and Camilo José Cela
Contemporary Spanish literature continues to explore the themes and techniques introduced by Romantic, Realist, and Naturalist writers, while also integrating new forms and perspectives
