19th Century Literature: Realism, Naturalism & Romantic Poetry

The Age of Realism

Historical Context

The age of Realism has its roots in the revolutionary movement of 1848. The bourgeoisie abandoned the revolutionary spirit, seeking stability and moderation. Industrial growth occurred alongside the rise of great colonial empires in Africa and Asia. In Spain, the bourgeois revolution of 1868 failed, and in 1874 the Bourbon monarchy was restored, beginning the historical period of the Restoration, where the realist novel flourished.

Scientific and Technical Progress

Scientific research made great progress during this era. Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man. In the field of technology, the telegraph and steamships emerged.

Realist Literature

The bourgeoisie abandoned Romantic ideology and replaced it with Realism, which aimed to describe the societal mindset accurately.

Characteristics of Realism

• Imitation of the scientific method: Literary works aimed to reflect reality accurately and objectively.
• Striving for objectivity: While aiming for objectivity, it was often compatible with an omniscient narrator's viewpoint.
• Everyday reality: Plots focused on everyday life, featuring common characters.
• Social conflict: Conflicts often arose between characters' desires and social rules.
• Simple style: The language used was generally straightforward and clear.
• The novel as the primary genre: The novel was the most utilized genre, with abundant descriptions of the bourgeoisie and the middle class.
• Societal scope: There was a marked aim to describe the entire society, covering various social classes.

Naturalism in Literature

Naturalism arose in France, with Émile Zola as its precursor. It applied the scientific method to literature, arguing that character behavior is determined by genetic inheritance and the social environment. The novelist mimics the scientific method through observation and data checking.

Key Features of Naturalism

• Detailed descriptions: Based on fields like medicine and psychology.
• Focus on the sordid: Presence of unpleasant and harsh aspects of life.
• Flawed characters: Characters often had physical or mental defects.

Romantic Poetry Overview

Lyric poetry stood out as suitable for expressing feelings.

Lyric Poetry

• Key figures: In Germany, Goethe (author of Faust) and Heine; in England, Byron (author of works featuring the 'Byronic hero', like The Corsair).
• Characteristics: Focused on the expression of feelings. The style was often rhetorical and sometimes bombastic. Metrics were innovative regarding form and polymetry.
• Main themes: Feelings (the ideal woman, heartbreak), landscapes reflecting the poet's sadness (night, cemeteries).

Narrative Poetry

• Focus: Emphasized the narration of legends and historical events.
• Forms:
  • Long poems with historical, legendary, or fantastic themes (e.g., El Estudiante de Salamanca by José de Espronceda).
  • Short poems, often romances. Historical romances by the Duke of Rivas and popular legends recreated by Zorrilla were prominent.