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

1. Modernismo and the Generation of '98

• Concern for the future of Spain: Spanish claims to the landscape as a literary theme.
• Larra: Consideration as a precursor of the need for regeneration of the country and admiration for his ability to criticize.
• Renewal of the literary language: The reflective attitude of the author leads him to ask existential questions.
• Thematic Coincidence: This last aspect is the one with greater coincidence between Modernismo and the Generation of '98, as the reflections of the authors have the same thematic elements as their object.

Key Themes

• Time: The passage of time.
• Solitude: Necessary to meet the man himself.
• The Dream: The attitude of disappointment and pessimism.
• Sensuality: Love of pleasures, which invites one to

Narcís Oller: Catalan Realist Novelist and His Works

Major Works of Narcís Oller

Narcís Oller's literary output, while not extensive, includes six significant novels:

• The Butterfly (La Papallona, 1882): A novel where romantic elements predominate, earning it prestigious national and foreign acclaim. It is set within a master carpenter's milieu.
• L'Escanyapobres: Study of a Passion (1884): This work presents the moral degradation of a miserly man in a rural society undergoing transformation. Its characters personify the fierce resistance to the social and economic changes of the era.
• Villains (Vilaniu, 1885): A romantic novel describing the devastating consequences of libel for a family living in a provincial town.
• The Gold Rush (La Febre d'Or,

T.9: Understanding Major Dramatic Genres

This classification outlines the characteristics and origins of key theatrical forms, from classical Greek drama to specific Spanish genres.

Tragedy

Originating from the cult of Dionysus in Greece, tragedy typically adheres to the Aristotelian unities (action, time, and place).

• Characters: Typically of higher social status, expressing themselves in elevated language.
• Conflict: Features intractable conflicts where the hero confronts unseen forces (gods, fate, social morals, etc.).
• Dilemma: Sometimes the hero commits a crime unknowingly, living the dilemma of not being able to achieve good without doing evil, which triggers a tragic end.
• Effect: It moves the audience through the protagonist's suffering and the

The Decadent Novel in Late 19th-Century European Literature

The Decadent Novel constitutes, in the context of late 19th-century European literature, a recent referral to Romantic literature. It introduced Modernism in Catalonia before 1900. Under the influence of decadence, the novel shifted to the suggestion of the narrative: it now reflected an inner reality, hidden and almost unknown, from the analysis of internal conflicts of characters who want to self-actualize. The cult of beauty and the creation of artificial paradises, where peace and finding led the authors to recreate distasteful, sexy, and forbidden situations, frustrated the desire to be isolated. In this novel of character, the subjective aspect of art is exalted as essential to... Continue reading "Decadent Novel: Influence on Catalan Modernism" »

Journalistic Articles

These are articles disseminated through mass media to transmit information of social interest.

Pragmatic Elements of Journalism

When considering the dissemination of information, we may identify the following key elements:

1. The Company: The media owner through which news is disseminated.
2. The Source: The origin of the information. This often includes news agencies, which supply news to media outlets and have correspondents worldwide, or press offices, which are groups of journalists providing information.
3. The Journalist: The individual who writes the information. Sometimes, one journalist writes while another manages the entire news production process.

Information broadcast is typically one-way, with no immediate response expected... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Journalistic Communication" »

Baroque Architecture: Breaking Renaissance Rationalism

Baroque art replaced the balanced and rational work of the Renaissance. The material foundation remains stone, but it utilizes an endless repertoire of curves, ellipses, parabolas, twisted columns, and curved pediments to create dramatic lighting effects. Architects continued to use the basilica plan, but incorporated elliptical, circular, and mixed layouts. Sculpture and painting are integrated into architecture to create a unified whole. Arches and vaults relate to urban space, and the dome remains a central feature, designed so that figures seem to ascend to infinity. Facades became more dynamic, built with specific consideration for the angles from which they would be viewed.

Spanish

Vanguard and Experimental Theatre

This movement includes authors like Fernando Arrabal and Francisco Nieva, and independent theatre groups. They reject realist techniques, incorporating scenic innovations from 20th-century theatre innovators.

Relevant Characteristics:

• Rejection of Realism: New Theatre presents symbolic or allegorical themes.
• Topics: Social and political conditions in Spain, denouncing social injustice and protesting for freedom.
• Characters: Lack psychological depth, are dehumanized or caricatured, becoming symbols.
• Dramatic Action: Fragmented into short, non-linear sequences.
• Stage Space: Innovative design, integrating audience seating into the stage area.
• Theatre as Play: The theatrical event is considered a game.

The Theatre of Vallejo

Lope de Vega and the New Art of Comedy (*Arte Nuevo*)

Characteristics of Lope de Vega's Theater

Lope de Vega created a new dramatic formula by connecting the various existing trends in theater. His works were written to appeal to all people.

Features of the *Arte Nuevo* (New Art)

Lope described the following features that his works should possess:

• Free Theme: A wide variety of subjects.
• A mixture of tragedy and comedy (tragicomedy).
• Unity of action (a single main plot).
• Division into three acts.
• Likelihood in the form of dialogue (natural speech).
• Matching the content to the social status of the character.
• Recurring characters (e.g., the *gracioso* or witty servant).
• The central subject is often the theme of honor.

Major Works of Lope de Vega

Lope's major... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age Theater: Lope de Vega's New Comedy and Calderón's Style" »

Textual Markers and Forms of Expression

Textual Markers

These are words that indicate the logical relationships between various ideas within a text. They function as varied linguistic elements.

Textual Forms of Expression: Oral vs. Written

Oral Expression

Oral expression is performed by speech sounds. It is considered the most natural form of expression, possesses a universal character, and has many distinct features.

Written Expression

Written expression is a surrogate form of oral communication. It is not universal, but it allows messages to endure in the text.

Characteristics of Oral Expression

• Nonverbal expressive resources.
• Wide range of articulation (or vocalization).
• Subjective order (often including ellipses).
• Interruptions and repetitions.
• Simple

1. Géneros Periodísticos

1.1 Género Informativo

1.1.1 La Noticia

Es un subgénero informativo que transmite hechos de la realidad. Su estructura se compone de:

• a) Titular: Incluye el título (destacado), subtítulo (complemento) y antetítulo. La tipografía (tamaño y color) juega un papel fundamental.
• b) Lead o Entradilla: Es la entrada de la noticia. Normalmente contiene el punto principal y responde a las 6W: quién, qué, cuándo, dónde, por qué y cómo.
• c) Cuerpo: Contiene todos los detalles de la historia.

1.2 Género Explicativo

1.2.1 Crónica

A menudo confundida con la noticia, la crónica posee características propias. Es redactada por un experto que presencia el hecho de forma permanente, permitiendo evaluar o interpretar la noticia.... Continue reading "Principales Géneros Periodísticos: Definición y Estructura" »