Spanish Realism and Naturalism Novelists: Key Figures

Spanish Realism and Naturalism Novelists (1850 onwards)

The Novel in the Nineteenth Century: Realism and Naturalism (Post-1850)

Imagination and feeling were essential characteristics of Romanticism. The new artistic trend is based on the observation and description of the world around the writer. In this change affected some changes occurring in society by the mid-nineteenth century.

The bourgeoisie has established itself as the dominant social class. The rise of the bourgeoisie is coupled with large industrial and commercial development.

Contemporary Novel (1890–1914)

• Great technical and scientific advancement.
• Fast industrial growth and urbanization.
• Crisis of positivism and rationalism.

Key Spanish Authors

Benito Pérez Galdós

Galdós studied law in Madrid, where he resided for the rest of his life. The streets and atmosphere of Madrid would serve as a scenario for many of his novels. From a young age, he defined himself as progressive and anticlerical. He wrote seventy-seven novels. Galdós divided his novels into two groups:

Novels of the First Period

• Spanish-Contemporary Novels
• National Episodes

Notable works include: Doña Perfecta, Gloria, Family of León Roch, Miau, That of the Disinherited, Fortunata and Jacinta, and Bringas.

Leopoldo Alas “Clarín”

Clarín was born in Zamora and moved to Oviedo, and since then his life was forever tied to this city and Asturias in general. Since his youth, he began working in newspapers and magazines. He was a liberal Republican, a supporter of freedom of thought and conscience, and an enemy of stagnant and reactionary traditionalism. He was also concerned about social problems and showed himself to be a moralistic writer, a crusader for justice and truth.

He published several books of short stories and novellas. Notable works include: La Regenta, Berta, Doña Ana’s Morality Tales, and His Only Son.

Pío Baroja

Pío Baroja studied medicine in San Sebastián. The most outstanding features of his personality are his pessimistic vision of life and his maverick character. He is the author of sixty novels. Notable works include: The Adventurer, Zalacaín the Adventurer, and Tree of Science.

Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz)

Azorín was born in Monóvar. One of his features is his simple and clear style with very short sentences. He wrote several novels, but his best known are The Shade Test.

Miguel de Unamuno

Unamuno was born in Bilbao. His works always contain deep personal concerns: the meaning of life... He wrote essays, poetry, drama, and novels. Notable works include: Mist (Niebla), San Manuel Bueno, Martyr, Mist (Niebla), Peace and Love in the War, and Pedagogy in the War.