Spanish Realism: Galdós, Clarín, and 19th Century Literary Movements

Benito Pérez Galdós: Life and Work

Benito Pérez Galdós (19th–20th centuries) sought solutions to the problems of the country through his work. He showed a strong interest in history, viewing it as a means to achieve a better future. His work is didactic, aiming to explain the present and thus avoid future mistakes, rather than using the past to escape the present.

• National Events (Episodios Nacionales): 46 novels written over his lifetime, chronicling Spanish history.

Stages of Galdós's Narrative

First Stage: Thesis Novels (Early Spanish Novels)

Galdós supported a new political and social order. These novels often feature a clash between fanatical Catholicism and tolerant liberalism.

• Key Works: Doña Perfecta, Gloria, La Familia de León Roch.

Second Stage: Contemporary Novels

Galdós shifted from imaginary scenarios to detailed depictions of Madrid, using the technique of character repair to enhance realism.

• Key Work: La Desheredada.

Fortunata y Jacinta

This novel features a love triangle between Juanito Santa Cruz, his wife Jacinta, and his lover Fortunata. More than a simple love story, it describes the Madrid of the time:

• The middle class, living from their work but often above their means.
• The lower class, living in great need.

Late Stage: Spiritual Novels

This stage coincided with Galdós's increasing blindness.

• Key Work: Misericordia (Mercy).

Leopoldo Alas Clarín and La Regenta

Leopoldo Alas Clarín (19th century) was a novelist, critic, essayist, and law professor who resided in Oviedo. His works reflect his Krausist training.

Plot Summary of La Regenta

The novel tells the story of Ana Ozores, who is married to Don Víctor Quintanar, an older man. They live in Vetusta (a fictional representation of Oviedo). Ana is torn between two paths:

1. Don Fermín de Pas: Represents mystical love and spiritual guidance.
2. Don Álvaro Mesía: Represents sexual desire and worldly passion.

Ana discovers the true, possessive feelings of Fermín and eventually succumbs to Álvaro. A duel ensues between Álvaro and Ana's husband, resulting in the death of Don Víctor. Ana is subsequently marginalized. When she attempts to approach Don Fermín again, she is rejected, as his jealousy and resentment have overruled his previous feelings.

19th Century Literary Context

Society and Culture in the Second Half of the Century

• Consolidation of the bourgeois society.
• Emergence of labor movements and anti-bourgeois sentiment.
• Fear of labor movements leading to authoritarian governments.
• Significant advances in science, technology, and liberal ideals.

Realism in European Literature

Realism emerged as a reaction against Romanticism, coinciding with population growth across Europe. The predominant genre was the novel.

Key Characteristics of Realism

• Interest in the everyday and the objective view of reality.
• Rejection of fantasy and invention.
• Focus on reproducing the reality of the bourgeoisie.
• The protagonist often serves a critical function.
• Simple focus on reality, utilizing a colloquial and spontaneous style.

Notable European Realist Writers

• Stendhal: The Red and the Black
• Balzac: The Human Comedy
• Flaubert: Madame Bovary
• Dostoevsky: Crime and Punishment
• Tolstoy: War and Peace
• Dickens: (Various works)

Naturalism in Europe

Naturalism emerged around 1870, pioneered by Émile Zola. The Naturalist novel posits that man is conditioned by heredity and environment (determinism).

• Biology marks the psychology of the characters.
• The novel often focuses on marginal and degraded environments and characters, which better demonstrate determinism.

Realism and Naturalism in Spain

Prerealist Authors

• Fernán Caballero: La Gaviota (The Seagull)
• Pedro Antonio de Alarcón: El Sombrero de Tres Picos (The Three-Cornered Hat)

Realistic Authors

• José María de Pereda: Sotileza (Up Rocks)
• Juan Valera: Pepita Jiménez
• Armando Palacio Valdés: Sister San Sulpicio
• Emilia Pardo Bazán: Los Pazos de Ulloa