Realism and Naturalism Literary Movements

Realism Literary Movement

Realism was a literary movement that appeared in France in the second half of the nineteenth century, manifested in the narrative genre. Realists rejected the idealism of Romanticism and defended an art inspired by nature to represent in their work, adopting an attitude of thorough observation of the social environment.

Realism Characteristics

• Aims to reflect contemporary everyday life.
• Detailed description of location and time of action.
• Characters typically belong to the middle and lower classes; authors delve into psychological aspects explaining behavior.
• Narrative Techniques: third-person omniscient narrator, free indirect style, and interior monologue.

Naturalism Literary Movement

Naturalism was a literary movement that emerged in France in the second half of the nineteenth century and later extended throughout Europe. According to Naturalism, humans are determined by their biological heritage and social environment. It incorporates the idea of the struggle for life, with the strongest surviving. It focuses on the most degrading circumstances of life. Naturalism does not describe repulsive realities merely for morbid effect, but to denounce the injustices of the era. Its narrative techniques are similar to Realism, often seen as an extreme form of naturalistic practice. Its objectivism is based on observation and documentation to describe characters, environments, and spaces.

Plot Summary: Fortunata and Jacinta

A woman of humble social class, Fortunata, was seduced by Juanito Santa Cruz and gave birth to a child who died very soon. Juanito, from the same class, married Jacinta, but they had no children. Fortunata married Maximiliano Rubín, a man who was half-mad. Juanito continued his affair with Fortunata, and she left Maximiliano to be with Juanito and have his child. While still convalescing after giving birth, Fortunata received word that Juanito was with another woman. In her jealousy, she went to confront the woman, suffered a hemorrhage, and died. Afterwards, Jacinta adopted her son.

Plot Summary: Ana's Story (La Regenta)

Ana married Don Victor, a 50-year-old judge devoted to reading and hunting, who was indifferent to Ana's beauty. Ana fell in love with Álvaro Mesía. She also sought refuge in the comfort offered by Fermín de Pas, a canon of the cathedral, who was secretly in love with her. Suspecting her affair with Álvaro, Don Victor fought a duel with Don Álvaro and died. While Victor died, Ana lived, ostracized by the general smear of Vetusta.