Evolution of 19th Century Spanish Literary Movements

Romanticism: The Exaltation of Freedom

Romanticism was born in the late eighteenth century in England and Germany with a German movement called Sturm und Drang ("Storm and Stress"). In Spain, it was a later development compared to the rest of Europe; however, it shares the same central idea of the exaltation of freedom, which generates the core characteristics of this movement:

• Individualism and exaltation of the self: Establishing the primacy of feelings over reason and a subjective view of the world. Mysterious or night scenes of nature in the wild appear, in which the poet's moods participate.
• Irrationality and creative genius: Key importance is given to the artist as a creative genius who rejects any rule that limits their creative freedom.
• Rebellion against reality: The Romantic artist takes on the world sometimes through non-conformist attitudes that often lead to disappointment, and at other times, through an escape into fantasy worlds, exotic locations, or the historical past. Figures of social outcasts, such as pirates, often embody this rebellious spirit.
• Idealism: Besides the pursuit of personal ideals that are often unattainable, collective nationalist ideals arise. These paved the way for the recovery of legends and novels, as well as a taste for historical dramas, romances, etc.

The Poetry of José de Espronceda

José de Espronceda represents the most exalted Romantic poetry, characterized by a rebellious and progressive nature. In his verses, he extols the Romantic yearning for freedom through marginalized individuals, as seen in works like The Song of the Pirate, The Executioner (El Verdugo), The Cossack, or The Condemned to Death.

Realism: The Objective Mirror of Society

Facing the subjective approach of Romantic literature, Realistic authors in the second half of the 19th century intended to reflect reality with an objective intention. Therefore, Realistic literature possesses the following features:

• Observation of reality: Authors follow a rigorous method of analysis of contemporary everyday life to achieve an accurate and credible portrait of the social environment around them. They claim that their literary work is a mirror of life.
• Social Portrait: Writers conduct a realistic description of different social settings and characters, but most often focus on the life and habits of the bourgeoisie, often with critical intent.
• The Triumph of the Novel: The narrative genre par excellence, the novel, becomes the ideal vehicle for Realistic literature. The novelist often takes the viewpoint of the omniscient narrator and develops the introspection of the figures using a sober and detailed style in dialogues adapted to their social status.

Key Figures of Spanish Realism

The most prominent of the Spanish Realist narrators is Benito Pérez Galdós, with works such as Fortunata and Jacinta, The Disinherited, La de Bringas, and Miau. Leopoldo Alas "Clarín" and his main work, La Regenta (The Regent's Wife), represent the culmination of Realism.