Spanish Realism: 19th Century Literary Movements and Genres

Realism in Spanish Literature

Realism, a dominant literary movement in the second half of the 19th century, primarily in Europe, sought to depict life authentically. Its narratives often drew from everyday customs, portraying reality with meticulous detail. Narrative became the definitive literary form, perhaps overshadowing theater in prominence.

Key Characteristics of Realism

• Focus on Everyday Life: Pervades the common person's experiences and daily routines.
• Descriptive Style: Employs a varied and detailed writing style.
• Complex Characters: Features well-characterized, complex, and realistic individuals.
• Central Theme: Explores the conflict between individual dreams, thoughts, and the harsh realities of life.
• Intimate Life: Integrates the intimate lives of characters into the narrative.

Ideological Underpinnings of Realism

The narrator often adopts an objective, almost journalistic style, utilizing standard language. Realism reflects all facets of society, incorporating social, colloquial, and popular language. The use of interior monologue reveals characters' inner lives, thoughts, and emotions.

The novel, a prominent genre of this era, frequently centered on the bourgeoisie. Two significant philosophical currents influenced Realism:

• Positivism: Emphasized rational and empirical analysis, validating only what had been experienced or observed.
• Marxism: Significantly influenced the way of thinking, particularly regarding social structures and class conflict.

Notable Spanish Realist writers include conservative figures like Fernán Caballero and José María de Pereda, alongside those advocating for social change such as Emilia Pardo Bazán, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, and Benito Pérez Galdós.

Lyric Poetry in the Realist Era

While lyric poetry was not the most dominant genre of this era, it saw the continuation of Post-Romanticism, exemplified by poets like Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro. Other poets such as Ramón de Campoamor and Gaspar Núñez de Arce also contributed.

Lyric poetry contributed relatively little to the core Realist movement, as the era's focus on objective reality often clashed with the subjective and emotional nature of poetic expression.

Theater in the Realist Period

The theater of this period yielded significant works, often addressing themes related to the bourgeois economy and societal issues. While Romantic works were still produced, new forms emerged:

• High Comedy (Alta Comedia): Benito Pérez Galdós's theatrical works are considered among the most daring and innovative of this genre.
• Realistic Theater: Playwrights like Adelardo López de Ayala and Manuel Tamayo y Baus created realistic plays centered on bourgeois stories and dilemmas.

Narrative: Evolution of the Spanish Novel

The narrative genre, particularly the novel, underwent significant evolution during the Realist period, often categorized into three main periods:

1. Novelas de Tesis (Thesis Novels)

This early phase, characteristic of Benito Pérez Galdós's first era, featured characters often portrayed as distinctly good or bad, serving to illustrate a specific moral or social thesis. Examples include Galdós's Doña Perfecta and Fernán Caballero's La Gaviota, which often punished characters for their perceived moral failings.

2. Novelas Realistas (Realistic Novels)

Produced primarily in the 1880s, these novels aimed for greater objectivity and detailed portrayal of reality. Key works include Leopoldo Alas Clarín's masterpiece La Regenta and Benito Pérez Galdós's expansive Fortunata y Jacinta.

3. Novelas Espiritualistas o Idealistas (Spiritual or Idealistic Novels)

In this later phase, authors shifted away from direct social struggle and protest, turning instead to the inner world of characters. These novels delved into characters' dreams, thoughts, and spiritual lives. Notable examples by Galdós include Misericordia, El Abuelo, and Halma.