Context of Valle-Inclán's Luces de Bohemia

Publication and Initial Context

Luces de bohemia was first published in the journal España in 1920 and appeared in 1924 in book form with some modifications. Valle's intent is not to recreate specific historical facts; the work cannot be placed in a single given year, but rather captures the atmosphere of an era. The play presents a concrete historical and social picture within a specific time and space. The action takes place over a single, 'unreal' day, encompassing social unrest and repression.

Historical and Literary References

Characters, institutions, and events highlight the crisis of '98 and the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. Despite the short timeframe of the work, there are many historical and literary references that do not strictly belong to this period:

• Loss of the last colonies
• Tragic Week in Barcelona
• Russian Revolution
• Street riots in Barcelona and Madrid
• Characters like García Prieto, Miguel Maura, Mateo Morral, and Rubén Darío

Valle uses this accumulation of anachronistic facts to deform reality. Additionally, different characters represent all social groups to provide an accurate portrayal of Spain.

Social Representation in the Play

The play depicts various social groups:

• The powerful, exerting repression or complicit;
• The bourgeoisie, represented by traders who only want power;
• The common people, the social group Valle most represents with barbarism, ignorance, and moral degradation.

Beyond Critique: Bohemianism and Literary World

This play is much more than just a critique of Spain at the time. Valle also longs for the bohemian life of old in France, while on the other hand, he depicts Max's frustration at not being recognized by those he despises, and Max sees himself as a victim of the literary establishment, particularly when a position in the Academy is suggested.

Criticism of Contemporary Figures

Criticism also extends to satirical comparisons with the Quintero brothers and Shakespeare, with the SAR (Sociedad de Autores Españoles?), with Unamuno, and with Villaespesa. The importance of the serial novel phenomenon also appears.

Conclusion: Spain as Grotesque Deformation

Luces de bohemia recreates an era marked by political and social instability and a lack of solutions. Valle considered Spain a grotesque deformation of European civilization.