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

Pre-Columbian Art in Latin America

Pre-Columbian, or Pre-Hispanic art, encompasses all artistic manifestations of cultures and civilizations that developed in the current Latin American territory before the arrival of European conquerors in the fifteenth century.

Mesoamerican Region

The Mesoamerican region, to the north, occupies what is now Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and part of Nicaragua. Here are located the Aztecs and the Mayans, who built pyramids and large patios with writing based on signs that appear in books called codices.

Andean Region

The Andean region, south along the Andes and Pacific Ocean coasts, includes Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and part of Chile. They raised monumental stone edifices and excelled in ceramics and goldsmithing,... Continue reading "Pre-Columbian Art: Mesoamerican & Andean Civilizations" »

José María Iparraguirre (1820-1881): A Life Dedicated to Basque Identity

José María Iparraguirre was born in Urretxu, Gipuzkoa. As a young boy, he moved to Madrid with his parents. At the age of 13, he returned to the Basque Country and fought in favor of the Carlists in defense of the *Fuero* during the First Carlist War. In 1839, after the war's end, he did not approve of the Embrace of Bergara, believing the promise was not kept. Consequently, he had to leave for exile, along with many others.

Exile and the Birth of "Gernikako Arbola"

Abroad, he found protection from a French soprano singer. In addition to learning French, he studied reading, music, and the songs of French poets. In 1852, he returned to the Basque Country and sang "*Gernikako... Continue reading "José María Iparraguirre: Basque Bard and Symbol of Freedom" »

The Splendor and Fall of the Baroque

The Baroque is the cultural and artistic movement that developed during the 17th century. This era coincided with a period of economic and social crisis, marked by:

• Poverty and depopulation.
• The expulsion of the Moors.
• Kings leaving the government in the hands of politicians.
• A serious crisis caused by bankruptcy and the decline in the arrival of precious metals from America.
• The impoverishment of the majority of the population. Disillusionment and disappointment replaced Renaissance ideals.

Thought and Culture

The Baroque period was characterized by pessimism and disillusionment. Humanist ideals were abandoned in favor of a deeper focus on religion. This sense of crisis was reflected in a culture of violent contrasts.... Continue reading "Baroque Era: Art, Culture, and Poetry of the 17th Century" »

Delibes excels in portraying innocent and novelistic characters. The novel focuses heavily on character development, dedicating a significant portion of the text to depicting human figures.

Character Groups

The characters can be divided into three main groups:

Foreground Characters:

This group includes Azarias, the protagonist, and Master Ivan, who serves as the antagonist. Paco and Bass also play important roles, representing the humble and participating in the central intrigue.

Background Characters:

This group consists of Paco's family (Low, Xica, Quirce, Rogelio, and Snow) and Master Ivan's family (Mrs. Markesa and Miss Miriam), along with members of the household (Don Pedro, the expert, and Dona Purita).

Minor Characters:

This group includes servants,... Continue reading "Delibes' Characters: A Deep Dive into Social Conflict" »

La Celestina and the Dawn of Spanish Theater

Two Distinct Theatrical Traditions

Early Spanish theater encompassed two distinct genres:

• Religious Theater: Focused on themes related to the life of Jesus.
• Profane Theater: Included burlesque, as well as amorous and pastoral themes.

Significant authors of this period included Lucas Fernández and Juan del Encina. Encina's characters often used a rustic language known as sayagués. A representative character is the shepherd, known for singing, dancing, being infatuated, and neglecting their duties. The merit of these authors, and of theater throughout the 15th century, lies in the appearance of La Celestina, written by Fernando de Rojas.

Authorship and Editing of La Celestina

The first known edition of... Continue reading "La Celestina and Early Spanish Theater: A Deep Dive" »

The Brotherhood of Speech

A movement that began in 1916, promoted by Antón Vilar Ponte. Its main objective was to claim the language and culture of Galicia. In 1918, it was grouped in Federacion Lugo and celebrated the 1st Assembly of Galician Nationalists. The main objectives of the brotherhoods were:

• The linguistic co-officiality between Galician and Castilian.
• Wide autonomy that would solve the economic and social problems of the country.
• Promotion of a culture of interest.

The Achievements of the Brotherhoods

• Work for the use of Galician in different aspects of public life.
• Development of publishing activity, including the newspaper "The Our Land" and the foundation of publishers such as Celtiga.
• Promotion of theater, enshrined in the National

José Ortega y Gasset: Historical Context and Thought

The historical period José Ortega y Gasset lived through was shaped by significant national and international events. It included major international occurrences such as the World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the rise of fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany, and Stalinism in the Soviet Union.

In Spain, this era encompassed the loss of its colonies in Cuba and the Philippines, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Second Republic, the Civil War, and Franco's dictatorship. All these events profoundly influenced Ortega's trajectory and political thought. His philosophy, sociology, and metaphysics remained deeply connected to his circumstances.

Ortega analyzed the political processes unfolding... Continue reading "José Ortega y Gasset: Philosophy, Context, and Enduring Influence" »

FGL: Fuentevaqueros in 1898

Studied law, philosophy, and music. In 1919, he moved to Madrid, establishing relationships with prominent writers, poets, and artists of his generation. He was a NY Fellow in 1929-30.

In 1932, he founded La Barraca, a university theater company that brought classic and contemporary plays to the pueblos. He was assassinated in 1936.

Double-edged personality: Overwhelming charisma and vitality juxtaposed with intimate discomfort and the pain of living.

Poetics

• His attitude is very strict.
• Poetry where passion and perfection, the human and the aesthetic, coexist in a rare purity.
• Popular and cultured elements are intertwined.

Literary Works

First Book: Book of Poems (1921)

• Influenced by Bécquer and Machado, modernism.
• Themes:

Germanic Origins of the Spanish Language

In the 5th century, Germanic peoples arrived in the Iberian Peninsula from lands north of the Roman Empire. Although their presence hardly altered the existing linguistic situation, groups like the Suevos, Vandals, and Alans preceded the Visigoths. The Visigoths, a strongly Romanized people, came to dominate Hispania. They brought their taste for epic poems (Hazañas de Héroes) to our country.

Germanisms are words of Germanic origin introduced into our language by the Visigoths. Examples include:

• Burgo (borough)
• Falda (skirt)
• Ganso (goose)

Arabic Influence on the Spanish Language

In 711, the first Arabs arrived in Spain, and shortly after, they dominated a large part of the peninsula. In the 10th century,... Continue reading "History of Spanish Language: Germanic, Arabic, Italian Influences" »

Modernism (1892-1906)

What period does Modernism encompass? From 1892 until 1906.

What characterizes this movement? The introduction of different aesthetic tendencies considered modern.

What stylistic trends contribute to renewed Modernist poetry?

• Regeneracionisme → Vitalism: Joan Maragall → Espontaneisme.
• Aestheticism → Symbolism: Rusiñol → Decadentisme.
• Pre-Raphaelitism: Alexandre de Riquer and Jeroni Zanné.
• Parnassianism (School of Mallorca): Miquel Costa i Llobera, Joan Alcover, Gabriel Alomar.

What kind of novels thrive during Modernism?

• The Naturalistic Novel: Raimon Casellas, The Fiery Assistant; Víctor Catala, Solitude; Adaptations: The Life and Death of George Fraginal.
• The Decadent Novel: Prudenci Bertrana, Josafat; Miquel de Palol,