Spanish Realism in Literature: 19th-Century Society

Spanish Realism: Historical Context and Characteristics

Realistic literature reflects the historical, socioeconomic, and cultural development of Spain between 1868 and 1874. This period saw a democratic revolution, beginning with the overthrow of Isabel II and including the Regency of General Serrano, the brief parliamentary monarchy under Amadeo I, and the First Republic. The era ended with a coup that returned the crown to the Bourbons, initiating the Restoration with the reign of Alfonso XII.

Socioeconomic and Cultural Changes

Economically, Spain experienced industrial development and increased trade. Socially, there was a progressive rise of the bourgeoisie, and industrialization led to the growth of the proletariat. Significant discoveries in the natural and physical sciences fostered positivism and the experimental method.

Characteristics of Realism

Realism, a literary trend that developed in the mid-19th century, aspired to objective and dispassionate representation through observation. Lyrical, subjective genres, such as theater, did not align well with the features of realistic art. The novel became the quintessential realistic genre.

The Novel

The realistic novel features an omniscient 19th-century narrator who knows all about the characters. Dialogue presents conflict through the words of live actors. Writers tried to mimic the nuances and expressions of ordinary speech, characterizing different situations through the characters' language. Attention is focused on contemporary society, particularly bourgeois life. Novelists attempted to instill moral and social education through narrative, often depicting clashes between opposing ideologies. The realistic novel describes the transformation of Spanish society:

• Traditionalists: Yearning for traditional agricultural society and distrustful of modern ideas. Key figures include:
  • José María de Pereda (1833-1906): Emphasized descriptions of Cantabrian landscapes and customs, and the characterization of popular characters. Works: Sotileza, Peñas Arriba.
  • Juan Valera (1824-1905): Favored aestheticism and a certain idealization of reality. Female characters are prominent. Works: Pepita Jiménez, Juanita la Larga.
• Progressives: Advocated for the modernization of Spain and criticized the traditional sector. Key figures include:
  • Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920): One of the best Castilian storytellers, his novels reflect a desire for reform and a progressive spirit. Episodios Nacionales is a comprehensive reconstruction of 19th-century Spanish history. Fortunata y Jacinta, set in Madrid, reflects all classes of the time. Galdós demonstrates mastery of realistic techniques in developing the plot and analyzing characters.
  • Leopoldo Alas, "Clarín" (1852-1901): Portrayed the society of his time, showing compassion for the disadvantaged and relentlessly criticizing the privileged. He was a university professor and journalist. His most important works include stories like "¡Adiós, Cordera!", *Su único hijo*, and *La Regenta*. *La Regenta* portrays, in all its complexity, a provincial town, Vetusta, representing the Restoration of Spanish society. Clarín offers an ironic critique of all the city's estates, which form a suffocating, oppressive atmosphere that clashes with the protagonist, Ana Ozores.
  • Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851-1921): Introduced Naturalism to Spain. Her best works are her stories and novels, such as Los Pazos de Ulloa.

Poetry

With the exception of post-Romantic poetry by Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro, realist poetry of this time is of dubious literary value. Representative authors include Campoamor, known for skeptical poetry, and Núñez de Arce, known for lofty and rhetorical poems.

Theater

The theater of this period is known as "high comedy." Some features include:

• Works with a moralizing purpose.
• Contemporary settings.
• Sober and careful language.
• Greater use of prose.

Authors: Manuel Tamayo y Baus and José Echegaray.