Spanish Literary Movements: Eras of Innovation and Influence

Romanticism in Prose: Freedom and Passion

The Romantic movement in prose championed the right to freedom, both individually and collectively.

Key Characteristics:

• Precedence over classical rules; passion replaced reason.
• Emphasis on subjective works.
• Mixture of genres.
• Combination of verse and prose.
• Diverse metric structures.

Notable Authors:

• José de Espronceda (e.g., *El Estudiante de Salamanca*, *Canción del Pirata*).
• Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (e.g., *Rimas y Leyendas*).

Romanticism in Fiction and Drama: National Identity

This period focused on the evocation of the past and observation of the present, aiming to forge a national identity for Spain.

Notable Authors:

• Mariano José de Larra (known for his insightful newspaper articles).
• Duke of Rivas (e.g., *Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino*).

Realism and Naturalism: Science and Objectivity

Driven by the progress of science and technology, these movements opposed subjective and fantastic themes, favoring a more objective portrayal of reality.

Key Characteristics:

• Opposition to subjective and fantastic themes.
• Emphasis on naturalist works, often depicting social realities.

Notable Authors:

• Benito Pérez Galdós (e.g., *Doña Perfecta*, *Fortunata y Jacinta*, *Nazarín*).
• Leopoldo Alas 'Clarín' (e.g., *La Regenta*, *Su único hijo*).
• Emilia Pardo Bazán (e.g., *Los Pazos de Ulloa*).

Modernism and Generation of '98: Form and Reality

These movements sought to create a more attractive reality through formal perfection and the recovery of subjective expression.

Key Characteristics:

• Desire for formal perfection.
• Recovery of subjective expression.
• Simplicity and clarity in style.
• Use of archaisms.
• Emphasis on authenticity and popular spirit.

Notable Authors:

• Rubén Darío (known for his profound prose and poetry).
• Antonio Machado (e.g., *Campos de Castilla*).
• Pío Baroja (e.g., *El árbol de la ciencia*).
• Miguel de Unamuno (e.g., *Vida de Don Quijote y Sancho*).
• Ramón María del Valle-Inclán (e.g., *Luces de bohemia*).

Novecentismo and Avant-Garde: Precision and Metaphor

This period emphasized intellectual rigor, conceptual precision, and innovative forms of expression.

Key Characteristics:

• Conceptual precision.
• Expression of the subjective.
• Extensive use of metaphor.
• In novels: subjectivism, restoration of order, diverse topics, and expression of personal opinion.

Notable Authors:

• Juan Ramón Jiménez (e.g., *Arias tristes* (sensitive stage), *Diario de un poeta recién casado* (intellectual stage), *Animal de fondo* (final stage)).
• Ramón Gómez de la Serna (known for his *Greguerías*, humorous metaphors expressing a unique worldview).

Generation of '27: Metaphor and Social Concern

The Generation of '27 was characterized by a synthesis of expressive resources and a profound search for metaphorical language.

Key Characteristics:

• Synthesis of expressive resources.
• Search for metaphorical language.

Poetry Stages:

• First Stage: Focus on aesthetic achievements.
• Second Stage: Concerns for humanity and defense of social causes.

Common Latin Expressions and Meanings

alter ego

Another self.

ex professo

Purposely, deliberately.

mare magnum

A great sea; a confused mass.

in situ

On site, in its original place.

lapsus linguae

Slip of the tongue; an error in speech.

sui generis

Unique, of its own kind; very special.

in albis

In white; blank.

a priori

From what comes before; based on theoretical deduction.

ex cathedra

With authority; from the chair (of authority).

vox populi

The voice of the people.

grosso modo

Roughly, approximately.