Realism and Naturalism: A Literary Journey Through 19th-Century Europe and Spain

Realism and Naturalism in 19th-Century Literature

Realism

Realism, emerging in the mid-19th century, emphasized portraying everyday reality and social issues. Rooted in empiricism and positivism, this movement sought to objectively depict the world through observation and experimentation, often exploring social inequalities as highlighted by Marxism.

Naturalism, a related movement, delved into the darker aspects of society, applying a scientific lens to analyze social problems.

Characteristics of Realist Novels

• Focus on everyday reality and contemporary environments.
• Exploration of specific social and political conflicts of the time.
• Objective and critical portrayal of society.
• Presence of the author's opinions.
• Use of an omniscient narrator, revealing characters' thoughts and emotions.
• Sober, simple, and precise language.
• Meticulous recreation of character dialogue, emphasizing its importance.

Realism in Europe

• France: Beginning around 1830 with Stendhal's Red and Black, French Realism included prominent authors like Honoré de Balzac (The Human Comedy), Gustave Flaubert (Madame Bovary), and Émile Zola (L'Assommoir).
• Russia: Key figures include Fyodor Dostoevsky (Crime and Punishment) and Leo Tolstoy (Anna Karenina, War and Peace).
• England: Charles Dickens contributed significantly with works like Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations.

Realism and Naturalism in Spain

Pre-Realism

Starting in 1849 with Fernán Caballero's La Gaviota (The Seagull), pre-realism featured a moralizing tone and focus on manners. Pedro Antonio de Alarcón, known for El Sombrero de Tres Picos (The Three-Cornered Hat), is a key author of this period.

Realism

Beginning in 1870 with Benito Pérez Galdós' La Fontana de Oro (The Golden Fountain), Spanish Realism saw the rise of prominent authors like:

• Juan Valera: Known for Pepita Jiménez, a love story between a seminarian and his father's fiancée.
• José María de Pereda: Author of novels set in Cantabria, such as Sotileza and Peñas Arriba (Rocks Above).

Naturalism

Starting in 1881 with Galdós' La Desheredada (The Disinherited), Naturalism explored the more sordid aspects of reality. Notable novelists include:

• Emilia Pardo Bazán: Known for works like Los Pazos de Ulloa (The House of Ulloa) and La Madre Naturaleza (Mother Nature), set in Galicia.
• Vicente Blasco Ibáñez: Author of works like La Barraca (The Cabin) and Cañas y Barro (Reeds and Mud), set in Valencia.

Leopoldo Alas "Clarín"

Born in Zamora in 1852, Clarín moved to Oviedo, studied law, and became a professor at the University of Oviedo. Also a journalist and literary critic, he authored two novels (La Regenta and Su Único Hijo) and numerous short stories. He died in 1901.

Benito Pérez Galdós

Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1843, Galdós moved to Madrid, became involved in politics as a Republican deputy, and was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy. Nominated for the Nobel Prize in 1912, he later suffered blindness and economic hardship. He wrote numerous novels and plays, often focusing on recent history, and died in Madrid in 1920.

Episodios Nacionales (National Episodes)

This series of 46 novels, grouped into five series of 10 volumes (except the last with six), reconstructs 19th-century Spanish history.

• Early Novels: Explore the conflict between progressive and conservative ideas, including La Fontana de Oro, Doña Perfecta, and La Familia de León Roch.
• Contemporary Spanish Novels: Recreate the society of the time with more complex characters, including Tormento, Miau, and Fortunata y Jacinta, which tells the story of two women who love the same man.
• Idealistic Novels: Written in 1889, these explore moral and spiritual themes, including Nazarín and Misericordia.