Literary Realism and Naturalism: Movements and Masterpieces

Realism and Naturalism in 19th-Century Literature

The 19th century witnessed significant literary shifts in Europe. The bourgeoisie consolidated its power, often funded by the aristocracy, leading to new social dynamics reflected in literature and philosophy.

Realism: Reflecting Reality

• Literature: Realism aimed to reflect reality. The novel, often epic in scope, depicted the transformations and "avatars" of a new social class.
• Philosophy: Positivism, a contemporary philosophical movement, proposed experimentation and rigorous observation as the foundation for real knowledge.

Aesthetic Characteristics of Realism

• Style

  Simple and clear prose, reflecting the authentic speech of people from different social classes.

• Criticism of Society

  Often portrayed an opportunistic and greedy bourgeoisie.

• Focus

  Centered on the bourgeoisie and its societal impact.

• Objective Approach

  Adopted the method of a scientific observer. The novel served as a detailed tracing of the reality of the epoch.

• Detailed Portrayal

  Descriptive fidelity focused on the environment, characters, and community.

  • Environments and Customs: The novelist aimed to replicate contemporary society accurately.
  • Characters: Involved a deep analysis of temperaments, motivations, qualities, and defects of individuals.

Naturalism: An Evolution of Realism

Naturalism is an evolution of Realism. It defends the idea that human behavior is a product of its genetic heritage and the environment in which one lives. The most prominent representative of Naturalism is Émile Zola.

Key Authors of European Realism

• Stendhal (French Novelist and Essayist): The Red and the Black
• Honoré de Balzac (French Novelist): Conceived his extensive work as a unified series entitled The Human Comedy.
• Gustave Flaubert (French Novelist): Madame Bovary
• Charles Dickens (English Novelist): Among his works, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Hard Times are notable.
• Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russian Novelist): Crime and Punishment
• Leo Tolstoy (Russian Novelist): War and Peace, Anna Karenina

Realism in Spain

Spanish Realism developed through distinct stages:

• First Stage: Early Realism

  Characterized by a simple style and realistic dialogue. An example is Pedro Antonio de Alarcón's The Three-Cornered Hat.

• Second Stage: Objective Description

  Focused on describing reality with greater objectivity, encompassing various novel types:

  • Thesis Novel

    The plot reflects the author's moral or ideological stance.

  • Contemporary Event Novel

    Focuses on the observation of people and events in contemporary society.

  • Psychological Novel

    Concentrates on the psychology of characters and their internal conflicts.

  • Spiritual Realism

    Blends social portraiture and critique of the bourgeoisie with an evangelizing or moral dimension.

In Spain, Realism was consolidated in later years with the works of authors such as Leopoldo Alas (Clarín), Benito Pérez Galdós, and Juan Valera.