Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Latin

Spanish Realism and Naturalism

Armando Palacio Valdés

A realist, his novels often depict an idealized world (the valley, farmers, villages). He addresses the conflict in the mines when it arises in these settings, and values traditional life.

Work: The Lost Village

Pedro Antonio de Alarcón

His stories are well-constructed and possess great narrative force.

Work: The Three-Cornered Hat

Juan Valera

An educated man, he achieved his intended purpose in his artistic works. His novels explore amorous and religious conflicts, and feature thorough psychological analyses of their protagonists.

Works: Pepita Jiménez and Juanita la Larga

José María de Pereda

An academic and novelist with traditional ideas, he described the landscape of his homeland, Cantabria.... Continue reading "Spanish Literature: Realism, Naturalism, and Modernism" »

Why Simón Rodríguez Was Considered Bolívar's Most Influential Teacher

Simón Rodríguez profoundly impacted Simón Bolívar by challenging his preconceived notions and exposing him to the realities of colonial life. He instilled in Bolívar an awareness of the injustices faced by slaves, blacks, and browns, prompting Bolívar to seek solutions and ultimately fight for the freedom of the Venezuelan and American peoples. Rodríguez's unconventional approach ignited Bolívar's passion for change.

The Philosophy of Civil Rights Inculcated by Simón Bolívar Rodríguez

Rodríguez believed that individuals must be prepared for citizenship, understanding the rights and responsibilities it entails. His philosophy emphasized:

• Education as a means to

Plato's Idealism and "The Republic"

Plato based his idealism on the claim that the true reality was not this sensible world, but the world of Ideas. This text primarily discusses his work, The Republic, which he wrote in two stages. The first book was composed during his youth, reflecting the ideas of Socrates, while the remainder was written in his mature stage. The Republic is dedicated to justice and is developed as a Socratic dialogue, notably with two sophist brothers (likely referring to Glaucon and Adeimantus).

Plato expounds on some of his fundamental ideas, including the existence of two worlds: the sensible world (perceived by senses) and the intelligible world (grasped by reason).

Key Concepts in "The Republic"

Book VI of The Republic... Continue reading "Plato's Philosophy: Ideas, "The Republic," Ancient Greece" »

Medieval Epic Poetry: The Mester de Juglaria

The first appearance of epic poetry is due to epic poems in which the deeds of heroes are recounted. These poems were anonymous and intended to publicize events, meant to serve as an example, and encourage the people. Their intention was to entertain. The dissemination of these songs was oral and was in charge of the troubadours, who went through the villages reciting these poems accompanied by musical instruments. The office of the minstrels is known as Mester de Juglaria and was based on oral sources. They used versos de arte mayor, assonance, and rhyme, plus fixed formulas. References to the auditorium were frequent. Castilian epic poetry is distinguished by its realism and the use of the epic... Continue reading "Mio Cid Poem: Medieval Epic Poetry in Castile" »

Salvador Papasseit (1894-1924)

Born into a humble, proletarian family, Salvador Papasseit worked in a bookstore with his brother in 1917. A member of the Socialist Youth, he was considered a *mesos* anarchist and a freethinker. He married in 1918 and had two daughters. From that time, he began to write and direct magazines. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 30. His main themes were love, nature, and homeland.

Avant-garde Movements

The Avant-garde was an artistic renewal movement that took place between World War I and World War II. It was characterized by pictorial poetry, breaking with tradition, group consciousness, collage, and the beginnings of calligrams.

• Expressionism (1903): Amplification of the ways to translate a psychological expression.

Traditional Lyric Poetry

Lirica tradicional - the traditional lyric. Anonymous compose songs that are transmitted orally and the theme is the feeling of love. The oral poetry becomes poetry when it is transmitted by traditional collectivity. The first manifestations of the traditional lyric seem to be in the X or XI century. Poetry is of anonymous author, but the community endorses and transmits it to subsequent generations.

Structure

Traditional lyric-based rhythmic structures and pararelismo choruses.

Themes

Love, perhaps more abundant from a female perspective than male.

Style

Simple and condensed. Short poems are intense and emotional.

Metrics

Minor art verses of different measures of rhyme and assonance. The rate is usually based on the chorus... Continue reading "Traditional Lyric Poetry: Origins, Structure, and Styles" »

Characteristics of Noucentisme

• Rationalism: Noucentists defended intellectual rigor, cold and objective analysis of circumstances, and clear exposition.
• Anti-Romanticism: They rejected sentimentality and preferred balanced attitudes and a serene, intellectualized expression of emotions.
• Defense of "Pure Art": Art must merely provide aesthetic pleasure and should not be a vehicle for religious or political concerns or emotions.
• Intellectual Elitism: The writings of these authors were aimed at connoisseurs.
• Careful Style: The ideal of "well-made work" led to detailed care in the structure of works and the use of a clean and refined style.

Avant-Garde Movements

• Expressionism: Characterized by the exaggerated description of physical or psychological features.

Modernism

Beginning in the late 19th century in Hispanic America, with creators like José Martí and Rubén Darío. It began with the publication of Azul by Ruben Dario. Key features include:

• A focus on aesthetic literature, seeking beauty.
• A search for escape from reality, often through remote settings.
• Themes expressing feelings like weariness (existential anxiety), apathy (living without desire), and melancholy (sadness).
• Use of symbolic elements, such as the swan as a symbol of modern beauty.

Generation of '98

A group of authors born between 1864 and 1875, with two main themes: a decadent Spain and existential angst. Prominent authors include: Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, Azorín, Ramón Valle-Inclán, and Ramiro de Maeztu. Their thoughts... Continue reading "Modernism and Generation of '98: Key Authors and Themes" »

The Origins of Popular Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry originated in the everyday activities of people singing. The main theme was love, and the songs were oral and anonymous.

The Jarchas: Mozarabic Lyric

The jarchas were popular Mozarabic lyric ditties of no more than 5 or 6 lines. They gather laments of a girl in love and are very expressive with direct language. Characteristic personalities include the habib (beloved), the mamma (mother), and the yermanelas (sisters).

Catalan Lyric

• Influenced by the poetry of the Provençal troubadours, sometimes written in Provençal.
• Composed by the troubadours.
• Main theme: courtly love.
• Genres: The canso, the sirventes, and the tenso.

Galician-Portuguese Lyric

• Influenced by the Provençal.
• Appeared at the end of the 12th

Modernism in Latin America

Modernism had its source in Latin America at the end of the 19th century. José Martí (Cuba) and Rubén Darío (Nicaragua) created and distributed it. "Azul" by Rubén Darío is considered the start of Modernism.

Features of Modernism

• Aesthetic Literature: It seeks beauty above all else, emphasizing rhythm and musicality while changing metrical forms.
• Topics: Feelings such as boredom, apathy, and melancholy are explored. This causes authors to take refuge in dream worlds.
• Escapism: An escape from reality, situating works in remote venues, both in space and time. They discuss alien civilizations, the past, and luxurious surroundings.
• Symbolic Elements: The swan is a symbol of Modernist aesthetics.
• Erotic, Poetic Language