Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Benito Pérez Galdós and Spanish Realism

Realism was an artistic current that proposed to represent reality faithfully and with verisimilitude. It began in France with authors such as Balzac, Stendhal, and Flaubert. Later, it triumphed in England with Dickens, and in Russia with Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. In Spain, it started in the 1870s and developed from 1880 onwards, in the historical context of the First Republic and the Restoration, amidst a certain economic development. This improvement in material conditions enhanced the growth of cities and the development of the urban bourgeoisie, in their usual contrast of wealth with the uneducated masses, first championed by socialist and anarchist workers' movements. The most relevant schools of... Continue reading "Benito Pérez Galdós: Realism in 19th Century Spain" »

Realism and Naturalism

Characteristics of Realism

• Rejection of romantic individualism in favor of society.
• Focus on everyday life instead of romantic escapism.
• Analysis of environments and social groups, contrasting individual feelings and emotions.
• Desire for objectivity in contrast to romantic subjectivity.

Naturalism

Zola aimed to make the novel a true science of human behavior, studying society. The lowest and most base aspects of human reality became the subject of the naturalistic novel.

In Spain, Emilia Pardo Bazán disseminated naturalism through a series of articles on literary criticism, "pounding the question." Naturalism influenced Pardo Bazán, Galdós, Clarín, and Blasco Ibáñez.

The Realistic Novel

• STEPS:
  1. Prereality: "The Seagull" by

The Family of Carlos IV (Goya)

1800-1801

Technique: Oil on canvas

Visual Elements: Goya's brushwork is loose and vigorous, with drawing achieving little importance. The appearance of color in the dresses is meticulously worked and is based on whites and golds that harmonize with reds and blues. The painter illuminated the right side of the painting and left the other side invaded by a gloom from which faces look towards the observer.

Composition: The Family of Carlos IV is a collective portrait that shares some characteristics with Neoclassical portraiture. However, it cannot be reduced to this style because it waives the careful working drawing and thoroughly studies the color and the psychological center of the figures. The King and his wife... Continue reading "Goya's Family of Carlos IV & David's Oath of the Horatii: Neoclassical Masterpieces" »

The Structure of Greek Myths

During the hegemony of the aristocratic society, the Greek world had a variety of mythical narratives that served to explain a wide variety of everyday aspects. Let's examine the myths by identifying three key features:

1. Divinization

The personification of nature and the main question these myths wanted to answer was how the cosmic order arose from primordial chaos. The explanation pointed to the action of the gods, who embodied the elements of nature, so that natural cycles were explained by divine causes. The ruling aristocracy and therefore social order existed as a mythical story.

2. Ambiguity of the Narrative

The narrative describes the visible world from concrete perspectives, unlike the invisible realities explained... Continue reading "Greek Myth Structure: Divinization, Ambiguity, and Mythic Force" »

Realism in 19th Century Novels

Realism in the nineteenth-century novel: It was an artistic movement that aimed to represent reality as faithfully and realistically as possible. It originated in France with writers such as Balzac, Stendhal, and Flaubert, as well as Dickens and Tolstoy. In Spain, it emerged after the Glorious Revolution and reached its peak in the 1880s, influenced by the Romantic genre.

Narrative Techniques

Observation of reality and a nearly scientific approach were used to extract necessary documentation. Accurate descriptions of the environment and the characters' nature were employed to lend credibility to the story. Objective narration, usually in the third person, was used, with the narrator acting as an omniscient witness... Continue reading "Realism and Naturalism in 19th Century Spanish Novels" »

The Evolution of Portuguese Narrative

From the late 1950s to the early 1960s, Portuguese narrative demonstrated a clear shift away from traditional forms and themes. This gave rise to a new narrative called Galicia.

Breaking with Tradition

The new narrative focused on breaking traditional arguments, abandoning linear chronology in favor of the interior monologue. It presented anonymous characters, outcasts, and misfits prone to violence and self-destruction. Through these characters, the narrative explored the absurdity of existence, the hidden aggression of human beings, and the influence of the subconscious.

Key Authors of the Movement

Critics include the following authors in this movement:

• Jose Luis Mendez Ferrin
• Carlos Casares
• Johan Torres
• Gonzalo

The 17th Century: A Transformative Era

Historical Context of the 17th Century

The 17th century was a period of profound change across Europe, marked by significant conflicts and shifts in power dynamics. This era, often associated with the life and thought of prominent figures like Descartes, witnessed the devastating impact of widespread warfare and the emergence of new political structures.

The Thirty Years' War and its Aftermath

The continent was embroiled in the Thirty Years' War, primarily a conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Germany, which extended across all of Europe. France, under the strong influence of the Jesuits (during the reigns of Louis XIII and XIV), stood in contrast to Holland, a more tolerant haven for philosophers... Continue reading "17th Century Europe: Society, Philosophy, and Art" »

Media Classification

Media can be classified according to the communication codes employed:

• Written Press: Employs linguistic, iconographic, and typographical codes.
• Cinema and TV: Utilize linguistic, iconographic, and chromatic codes.
• Radio: Relies on sound and linguistic codes.

Features of Mass Media

• The receiver is plural.
• Economic interests and the issuing companies' ideologies largely determine the transmitted content.
• Advertising funds the media.
• Feedback is difficult; the receiver usually cannot influence the program and its development.
• The importance that the receiver gives to the medium, for example, when we sit down to watch TV and do not see a previously selected program, that is, priority is given to the medium before the message.

Interpretative