Key Figures in Modern Catalan Literature: Oller and Guimerà

Narcís Oller (Barcelona, 1846–1930)

He is considered the creator of the modern Catalan novel. He began writing in Spanish, but his commitment to realism and contemporary social relations led him to adopt Catalan. Oller was the author who put naturalist techniques into practice.

Major Novels by Narcís Oller

The public and critical success encouraged him to continue developing realism and naturalism. The best of his six novels are:

• La Papallona (The Butterfly): Tonet, a poor orphan girl, is seduced and abandoned by a "butterfly" of a higher social class, but they finally get married. The plot is romantic, but the thorough descriptions place it between realism and naturalism.
• L'Escanyapobres (The Miser): The protagonist's passion for money brings him to a tragic death. This work is a key introduction to naturalism.
• Vilana: Represents a step backward toward Romanticism.
• La Febre d'Or (The Gold Rush): The story of a family that quickly becomes rich through the stock market. This situation leads to a loss of moral values, followed by ruin.
• La Bogeria (Madness): Describes the process of a disease: dementia.
• Pilar Prim: The protagonist fights the prejudices that hinder her social and moral happiness.

In general, Oller's novels are realistic, featuring the presence of naturalistic and romantic elements.

Àngel Guimerà (1845–1924)

Several aspects of his life influenced his work, including his status as a natural son of a newcomer (as he was raised in the Canary Islands) and the fact that he learned Catalan only at age 8.

In his works, he features romantic and tragic female characters who are highly idealized, full of strength, heroism, and maternal kindness.

Catalan theater was renovated through the creation of new dramatic genres: Romantic tragedy and Realist drama. He began writing for the stage when he was already known as a poet.

His theatrical writing is noteworthy for bridging the Renaissance tradition and renewing drama based on Romantic values. His themes included the protection of marginalized individuals, and his characters were engaged in intense and complex relationships.

Evolution of Guimerà's Theater

Romantic Stage

The primary genre is Romantic Tragedy.

Main Features:

• Focus on the past (real or imagined by the author).
• Patriotic intention in the treatment of history.
• Characters are idealized and in conflict with reality.
• Regarding the use of verse, he employed the decasíl·lab blanc (white decasyllable).

Introduction of Realistic Elements

This stage led to the creation of the "Realist Drama."

Main Features:

• Focus on social and romantic problems.
• Humanizing the figure of the hero.
• Use of colloquial language.