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Modernism and the Generation of '98

Modernism (Rubén Darío)

This movement is concerned with the pursuit of:

1. Beauty, spirituality, and the expression of feelings.
2. Escaping the ugly and vulgar reality to exotic worlds and ideals.
3. Defending a refined and sensual style, emphasizing the musicality of language that awakens the senses.
4. Primarily utilizing the lyric genre (poetry).

The Generation of '98

This movement focuses on:

1. The situation in Spain, expressing pessimism regarding the country's direction.
2. Seeking the essence of Spain in the literature of the past and the Castilian landscape.
3. Enacting a sober and simple style with great power of significance (depth of meaning).
4. Cultivating all literary genres.

Shared Characteristics of Both Movements

• Maintain

Maison Carrée

Context

Constructed under the order of Agrippa, the Maison Carrée was built during a period of significant expansion for the Roman Empire. Agrippa, who held a high-ranking position, was responsible for major infrastructure projects, including roads and public buildings, to solidify the reach of the Empire.

Formal Description

The structure is a rectangular pseudoperipteral temple featuring a hexastyle design with six 17-meter-tall Corinthian columns. Key architectural features include:

• Podium: Elevated base showing strong Etruscan influence.
• Entrance: A single access point via a grand porch staircase on the main facade.
• Entablature: Formed by a triple architrave.
• Frieze: Decorated with intricate plant motifs.
• Pediment: A triangular structure,

Jose Espronceda

Espronceda is known for his outstanding songs portraying marginal themes, which symbolize rebellion and freedom, as seen in the Composition of the Pirate and two extensive narrative poems: The Devil's World, where philosophical issues are raised, and The Student of Salamanca, which recreates the myth of Don Juan.

Mariano Jose de Larra

Larra was an author of numerous newspaper articles in which he discussed at length, with clear and dynamic prose, Spanish customs and the country's situation. From his perspective, there was an urgent need for Europeanization. In many of his narrative texts, he used anecdotes to defend his thesis.

Benito Perez Galdos

National Events

In this monumental work, Galdos traces the history of nineteenth-century... Continue reading "Influential Spanish Authors and Their Literary Contributions" »

Prose in the Thirteenth Century

Medieval prose romance emerged in the thirteenth century with the purpose of providing Christian education to the people in their vernacular language. This objective drove the development of Bible translations, collections of exempla, and gnomic literature.

Alfonso X the Wise: A Cultural Legacy

An undisputed icon of this century, Alfonso X was the son of Ferdinand III and inherited the throne of Castile and León in 1252. He undertook significant cultural work, though this success did not extend to his political endeavors. He attempted to strengthen royal authority with the nobility, but his hesitation led to the rebellion of his son Sancho over the succession to the throne.

Alfonso X promoted Castilian as the sole... Continue reading "Spanish Medieval Literary Development: Prose, Chivalry, and Early Drama" »

Spanish Literature in the 15th Century

1. Poetry in the 15th Century

Along with the traditional song, another way of oral transmission developed: poesía de romancero. Learned poetry brought new themes and poetic styles, as seen in the songbooks. First, troubadour poetry of courtly love appeared. In the second stage of this era, poetry developed moral issues.

Romances

Romances are a large, old collection of poems that began to be composed in the 14th century. They were collected and published in the 16th century. The sung ballads are narrative poems of oral transmission with varied topics. Many are epic ballads that sing of heroic episodes involving great gentlemen like El Cid. There are also lyrical and loving themes. From the end of the 14th... Continue reading "Spanish Literature in the 15th Century: Poetry, Romances, and Celestina" »

Classification by Mode of Articulation

• Occlusive: Articulatory organs are closed completely: p, b, t, d, k, g.
• Fricatives: Articulatory organs are close, leaving a narrow passage for air: f, θ, s, y, x.
• Affricates: An occlusive phase followed by a fricative: c.
• Nasal: The oral cavity is closed and air passes through the nose: m, n, ɲ.
• Lateral: The tip of the tongue divides the oral cavity, and air is discharged through one or both sides: l, ʎ.
• Vibrant: The tip of the tongue vibrates against the alveoli: r, ɾ.

Classification by Place of Articulation

• Bilabial: Pronounced by joining lips: p, b, m.
• Labiodental: Lower lip joins upper teeth: f.
• Interdental: Tongue rests between teeth: θ.
• Dental: Tongue is close to upper teeth: t, d.
• Alveolar: Tongue is

Classification of Literary Expression

Prose and Verse

Literary expression is classified through prose and verse. Prose uses natural language to express concepts, while verse is the artistic expression of language that meets aesthetic needs. Its rhythm is marked by pauses, creating a measured flow.

Literary Genres

Literary genres are the fundamental models for structuring literary texts. Each genre can present diverse works, and realizations of the same genre can reflect the characteristics of a particular age.

Lyrical Genre

Lyrical texts present a subjective view from an intimate perspective. Experiences and feelings prevail, emphasizing the expressive and poetic functions of language. The most common vehicle of expression is the lyric verse.

Subgenres

History of Civil Engineering

One could argue that engineering began when humans started creating tools for everyday life. Early humans used basic engineering principles to obtain food, create clothing, and develop defensive weapons such as axes, spearheads, and hammers. The development of engineering significantly advanced with the agricultural revolution (8000 BC) when nomadic tribes transitioned to cultivating crops and raising livestock.

By 4000 BC, settlements along the Nile, Euphrates, and Indus rivers saw the rise of civilization and the development of writing.

Until relatively recently, the term "architect" encompassed individuals with expertise in architecture, structural engineering, geology, and hydraulics, primarily for military construction.... Continue reading "Civil Engineering: A Historical Perspective" »

Song of Exile

El Cid is banished by King Alfonso VI because some envious individuals have accused him of keeping a portion of the taxes collected from Andalusia. He leaves his wife, Jimena, and daughters in the Monastery of Cárdena. Soon after, he begins his military campaigns against the Moors, operating from Teruel to Zaragoza. The conquest culminates with the liberation of the Count of Barcelona, whom El Cid had previously taken prisoner.

Song of the Wedding

El Cid continues his military activities, reaching the Mediterranean and conquering Valencia. He then begs the King to allow Jimena and his daughters to join him in the city. El Cid shows off his conquered lands, having become rich and powerful. Because of this, the Infantes of Carrión... Continue reading "El Cid: Exile, Battles, and Legacy in Medieval Spain" »

Spanish Poetry After the War

1. Poetry in Exile loses contact with the renewal of the years preceding the war. The themes are common to all of them (parental loss, memories, longing to return, etc.), and really care about the land where you live. The existential perspective of life predominates, and the style is more casual and conversational.

2. Spanish Poetry After the War: The process of rehumanization, pulled down in '27, will continue after the war. It is not entirely true for poetry that was cultivated in our country in the '40s and '50s. The poetry scene is divided into:

• Rooted Poetry: A group of authors with a bright, coherent, and orderly vision of the world. The so-called creative Youth (contrary to the negative approach of the rest