Spanish Literature and Syntax Analysis

Literary Analysis: Quevedo and Gracián

El Buscón by Francisco de Quevedo

Quevedo's El Buscón circulated through manuscript copies before its official publication, which was not authorized by the author. It is a picaresque novel featuring an autobiographical fictional character. The protagonist expresses a constant desire for social advancement and shows no remorse for his fechorías (misdeeds). The narrative follows the picaresque form; on his journey, he meets different characters, presenting a world of marginal topics. The protagonist, Pablos, feels shame for his family and adopts violence to thrive. Quevedo utilizes features of the picaresque genre to create an extraordinary verbal masterpiece.

El Criticón by Baltasar Gracián

Published in three parts, El Criticón represents an allegory of human life, equating the ages of man with the seasons. It contains numerous satirical episodes, moral reflections, and digressions. More than fiction, the story begins when Critilo rescues Andrenio, whom he teaches to speak. Together, they embark for Spain, where Andrenio recounts his life. Critilo represents trial, experience, and virtue, while Andrenio represents ignorance of the world. Both embark on a pilgrimage along the road of life. The work offers a pessimistic vision of the world, criticizing the selfish and cruel nature of man, while suggesting that only the search for virtue and goodness can save him. The style combines clear sentences with an artificial, complex language.

Spanish Syntax and Sentence Structure

Subordinate Clauses

• Substantive: Subject, Direct Object (CD), Indirect Object (CI), Attribute, Noun Complement (CN), Prepositional Complement (C. Régimen).
• Adjective: Relative clauses.
• Adverbial:
  • Time (when, then)
  • Place (where)
  • Mode (how)
  • Purpose
  • Condition
  • Cause
  • Result
  • Concessive

Circumstantial Complements

• Time, Location, Mode, Purpose.

Sentence Types

• Juxtaposed: Separated by commas or punctuation.
• Coordinated:
  • Copulative: Addition (y, e, ni).
  • Adversative: Opposition (but, however).
  • Distributive: Distribution (some... others).
  • Disjunctive: Exclusive or inclusive (o, u, bien).
  • Explicative: Clarification (namely, that is).

Grammatical Functions

Direct Object (lo, la), Indirect Object (le, les), Attribute, and Supplement.

Modality of the Sentence

• Declarative: Affirming or denying a fact.
• Interrogative: Asking a question.
• Imperative: Orders or requests.
• Exclamatory: Manifests the subjectivity of the speaker.
• Dubitative: Expresses doubt or possibility.
• Desiderative: Expresses a desire (e.g., hopefully).