Masterpieces of 19th Century Realism and Naturalism

The Rise of Realism in Spain

The actual stage of Realism began in 1870 with the publication of La Fontana de Oro by Benito Pérez Galdós.

Key Authors of Spanish Realism

• Juan Valera: Published his most important work, Pepita Jiménez, in 1874. This is an epistolary novel in which he recounts the love between a seminarian, Luis de Vargas, and the bride of his father, Pepita Jiménez. The conflict is resolved happily.
• José María de Pereda: Wrote novels set in his native Cantabria, such as Sotileza, praising rural life and criticizing progress.

Naturalism: A Sordid Reality

Naturalism is recreated in the most sordid aspects of reality. The characters are victims of their physical condition, heredity, and the environment in which they live.

Prominent Naturalist Writers

• Emilia Pardo Bazán: She was the greatest advocate of Naturalism in Spain. Among her novels, Mother Nature stands out.
• Vicente Blasco Ibáñez: The author of works such as The Cabin (La Barraca), which are set in Valencian lands and develop a framework near the serial style.

The Legacy of Benito Pérez Galdós

Benito Pérez Galdós was born in Las Palmas. At 19 years old, he moved to Madrid, where he spent most of his life. A man of progressive ideas, he was involved in politics and became a deputy. He died in 1920 in Madrid.

Categorization of Galdós's Novels

• The National Episodes: A set of 46 novels grouped into five series of ten volumes, except the last, which only has six novels.
• Early Novels: These posed a conflict between progressive ideas and conservative ideas.
• Contemporary Spanish Novels: These recreate in detail the society of the era and its characters.
• Idealistic Novels: Composed from 1889, these deal with themes of nature, morality, and spirituality.

Leopoldo Alas "Clarín" and the Modern Novel

Leopoldo Alas "Clarín" was born in Zamora in 1852 and moved to Oviedo with his family in 1863. He studied law and was a professor at the University of Oviedo from 1883 until his death in 1901.

Clarín is the author of two novels, La Regenta and His Only Son, as well as numerous short stories. These include titles such as Pipá, Doña Berta, and ¡Adiós, Cordera!. His most important work is La Regenta, considered one of the best novels of the nineteenth century.

The Realist Novel in Russia

The Realist movement also flourished in Russia with legendary authors:

• Fyodor M. Dostoevsky: Wrote monumental works such as Crime and Punishment.
• Leo Tolstoy: Tackled the issue of adultery in Anna Karenina and wrote an ambitious portrait of nineteenth-century Russia in War and Peace.