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

Liberalism: H.G. Wells

Herbert George Wells was born into a low-middle-class family facing economic problems, leading him to seek a grant for his studies. He earned a degree in zoology but chose to become a writer, authoring textbooks on biology and geography. Wells aimed to reform the social system, employing a simple and energetic style. His writing, characterized by social realism and inspired by personal experiences, often depicted social issues with a stark, impressionistic approach, creating an immediate impact on readers. His works explored science fiction, social problems, sexual freedom, and offered a sarcastic portrayal of English social life, critiquing institutions. Notable works include The Time Machine (science fiction) and Marriage... Continue reading "Literary Modernism: Wells, Eliot, Lawrence, and Woolf" »

The Roman Foundation of Barcino

Despite legends attributing its foundation to Hercules or hypotheses regarding Hamilcar Barca's famous Carthaginian saga, Barcino was established as a Roman law colony. This is confirmed by archaeological evidence and all classical sources. Barcino, officially named Colonia Iulia Augusta Paterna Barcino Faventia, was founded by Emperor Augustus in 14 BC, following the Cantabrian Wars and administrative reforms in the central and northeastern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. It stands out as a significant foundation among other late Roman cities of present-day Catalonia.

Geography, Resources, and Early Economy

The city was built on a small hill, known in the Middle Ages as Mount Taber (15 meters above sea level)... Continue reading "Barcino: The Roman Origins of Barcelona" »

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer's Rhyme XIV: An Analysis

Introduction to Rhyme XIV

Rhyme XIV, titled "I saw a point, and floating before my eyes," is a significant piece within Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer's collection of seventy-seven poems, known as the Rimas. Some of these poems are grouped by themes, and Rhyme XIV belongs to the second group, focusing on the theme of love. This poem is a quintessential example of Romanticism, a cultural and political movement that emerged as a revolutionary reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism, emphasizing feeling over reason.

Central Theme and Inspiration

The primary theme of Rhyme XIV revolves around the author, identified as the poetic voice, who is deeply in love with a woman. The... Continue reading "Bécquer's Rhyme XIV: Love, Romanticism, and Poetic Devices" »

An Analysis of Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo

A Landmark of Magical Realism

Pedro Páramo is the singular novel by acclaimed Mexican writer Juan Rulfo. Published in 1955, it stands as a seminal work within the genre of magical realism and is widely regarded as one of the finest achievements in Latin American literature.

Themes and Setting

The novel vividly captures the essence of rural life in Mexico during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Rulfo masterfully portrays the profound economic and social changes experienced by peasants, many of whom were forced to migrate from their villages and farms to live in miserable city suburbs.

The narrative is remarkable for several reasons: In the desolate, dusty town of Comala, only living ghosts... Continue reading "Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo: Themes, Structure, and Impact" »

The Gaucho: A Cultural Icon

The gaucho, a mixed-race figure of Creole and mestizo heritage, emerged as a distinct human type on the plains of the Rio de la Plata region, with origins tracing back to colonial times.

Gaucho Poetry: An Oral Tradition

Gaucho poetry originated as an oral tradition, later adopted and developed by learned poets into a written art form.

Gaucho Poetry and Romanticism

During the Romantic era, gaucho poetry gained significant momentum due to its national character, which resonated with the movement's focus on local color.

The Evolution of Gaucho Poetry

Gaucho poetry evolved through three distinct stages:

1. Anonymous minstrels reciting songs in makeshift settings.
2. The transition from oral recitation to written poems, marking the

Parnassianism: A Literary Movement

Parnassianism was a literary movement that emerged in France in the mid-nineteenth century and developed across European literature, eventually arriving in Brazil. This literary school stood in opposition to Romanticism, valuing science and positivism.

The name 'Parnassianism' originated in France, derived from 'Parnassus,' the mount of Apollo and the Muses of poetry in Greek mythology. In France, prominent Parnassian poets included Théophile Gautier, Leconte de Lisle, Théodore de Banville, and José Maria de Heredia.

Key Characteristics of Parnassianism

• Objectivity: Parnassian writers based their work on facts, setting aside subjectivity and emotion.
• Impersonality: The writer's personal vision did not interfere

Ancient Roman Heritage in Catalonia

In 218 BC, the Romans landed in the Greek colony of Empúries and, almost simultaneously, founded a military camp in Tarraco. The Romans chose this location because it offered a natural port and a rocky hill that provided a perfect defensive position. This hill was transformed into a fortress, serving as military protection.

Tarraco: Imperial Roman Capital

Tarraco was a central hub of the Roman Empire during its golden age, and its finest monuments date from that period. Some of these monuments are unique pieces of world heritage. Among the Roman ruins that can be visited in Tarragona are the following:

• The Roman Wall

  This wall was reinforced by rectangular towers, three of which are known: the Minerva, the Cabiscol,

Catalan Literature in the 19th Century

Language Context in the 19th Century

During the nineteenth century, confidence in the Catalan language was initially low among the educated classes. However, since the end of the eighteenth century, enlightened individuals and the bourgeoisie rediscovered its potential.

Romanticism Movement in Catalonia

Romanticism arose in Germany and England in the late eighteenth century. It spread throughout Europe, but its arrival in the Iberian Peninsula coincided with a period of decline for the movement elsewhere. It is linked to revolutionary movements.

Core Characteristics of Romanticism

• Dissatisfaction with the real world
• Nostalgia for the past
• Spiritualism and religious subjectivity
• Emphasis on imagination and fantasy
• Search

Catalan Humanism: The Shift from Medieval Thought

The Rise of Humanism

The late fourteenth century marked a significant shift from the medieval mindset. Across Europe, and particularly in the sixteenth century, a new focus on human agency emerged. This movement, known as humanism, liberated individuals from theocratic authority, placing them at the center of intellectual and artistic pursuits. Medieval dogmatism was abandoned, replaced by an environment where questioning and debate were encouraged. Reason became the primary source of knowledge, leading to a renewed interest in Greco-Latin culture.

Philosophically, humanism embraced Epicurean ideals, such as the pursuit of knowledge for pleasure, the avoidance of fear, and the questioning of... Continue reading "Catalan Humanism: Bernat Metge and the Dawn of Reason" »

Throughout this decade, there is a process of narrative renewal. The main charges against the social novelists of the fifties were the futility of their conception of literature as an instrument of social change and the impoverishment of the artistic quality. There appears a kind of experimental novel, more concerned with formal and linguistic aspects of the story than the objective reproduction of reality: the how is of as much interest as what counts.

Viewpoint

Although the omniscient narrator or the narrator with a social objective of the fifties are no longer used, the narrator-player is often used, which lets you focus the story from several perspectives. Some novelists even advocate the disappearance of the author, who would only give the... Continue reading "Evolution of the Spanish Novel: Narrative Renewal" »