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Spanish Post-War Novels: 1940s to 1970s

Novels of the 1940s: Tremendismo and Existentialism

Important novels of the 1940s include The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo José Cela (1942) and Nada by Carmen Laforet (1945).

The Family of Pascual Duarte (1942)

• Most representative of the tremendista novel, vividly portraying the extreme inhumanity and violence of rural Spain, and ultimately, the human condition.
• In his narrative, Cela combines elements of:
  • Picaresque novel: Narrative told in the first person.
  • Naturalism: The supposed determinism governing the protagonist and the detailed description of reality.
  • Esperpento (Valle-Inclán): Exaggeration and the animalization of characters.

Pascual Duarte: Sentenced to death, he tries to justify his crimes... Continue reading "Spanish Post-War Novels: Literary Movements and Key Works" »

What Is Occupational Variety Used For?

Occupational variety has long been used to describe the distinctive language associated with a particular way of living.

• It differs from regional and class dialects; once established, it tends to vary.
• Occupational language is often used temporarily at work: people adopt it when they start and may stop using it when they stop working.
• The main point illustrates its distinctive character or professional linguistic identity.
• Example: Factory workers must master a variety of technical terms and administrative vocabulary (safety standards, old labels, union guidelines).
• They develop new slang and jargon to differentiate themselves from outsiders.
• The more specialized the occupation and the higher the position, the