Romanticism and Realism: Key Movements in Literature

Romanticism: A Focus on Emotion and Individuality

The Romantic movement, with its nationalist roots, recovered folk traditions to represent the people in all forms. It was characterized by the pursuit of originality, the abandonment of the precepts of classical composition, and the predominance of the lyric. The disadvantaged first appear, seen as a symbol of freedom and existing outside social conventions. The author is the center of inspiration.

Key characteristics of Romanticism:

• Rejection of classical canons and the Neoclassical ideal.
• Defense of the artist's freedom and originality.
• Vindication of ugliness and the horror.
• Blending of genres and styles.
• Emphasis on feelings over reason.
• Nationalistic or patriotic feeling.

Rebirth: Political and Cultural Revival

A political and cultural revival movement along the lines proposed in the 19th century sought to dignify the Catalan language and literature, though without a national territory.

Realism: Reflecting Society with Accuracy

Realism was a movement focused on the novel, aiming to reflect the society of its time. Some works are realistic social criticism. This movement gives way to Naturalism.

Key characteristics of Realism:

• A faithful and accurate reproduction of reality.
• Detailed descriptions to display accurate profiles of themes, characters, situations, and even sites.
• Focus on the everyday, explaining political, social, and human elements.
• Rejection of sentimentality, showing man objectively and hinting at a crude reality.
• Colloquial and critical language, expressing common and ordinary speech.
• Rejection of the sentimental and spiritual, resulting in an individualistic touch.
• Exploration of the relationship between individuals and their economic and social environment.
• Characters as testimony of an era, a social class, or a job.
• Issues relating to the problems of human existence.
• Analysis and denunciation of the evils that afflict society.
• Conveying ideas in the most truthful and objective way possible.

In short, realism is meant to reflect the truth as it is.