Spanish Romanticism & Realism: Key Authors & Works

Spanish Romanticism Highlights

Key characteristics and figures of the Romantic movement in Spain:

• New Topics: Predominance of sentiment, presentation of extreme situations, and pessimism.
• New Forms: Innovations in prose and verse, including the mixture of genres (e.g., Espronceda's El estudiante de Salamanca).
• Theater: Plays aimed to break classical rules (e.g., Duque de Rivas).
• Prose: Development of historicist prose (Leyendas) and articles depicting customs (cuadros de costumbres, e.g., Larra).

Mariano José de Larra (Fígaro)

Influenced by the French historical novel and tragedy. Known as a journalist signing as Fígaro. Famous articles include "Vuelva usted mañana" and "En este país".

José de Espronceda

A poet from Extremadura, highly admired by his contemporaries and considered a prime example of liberal Romanticism. Notable works include:

• Lengthy narrative poems: El estudiante de Salamanca and El diablo mundo.
• Poems with social themes: "A la muerte de Torrijos y sus compañeros" (originally titled "A la Patria" or similar, often referred to by its subject), "El mendigo", and "Canción del pirata".

Romantic Drama Characteristics

• Plays divided into 3, 4, or 5 acts.
• Written in verse, often using polymetry.
• Rejection of the classical unities of time, place, and action.
• Mixture of tragic and comic elements.
• Preference for night scenes and legendary or historical settings.
• Presence of characters marked by a strange fate.

José Zorrilla

A poet from Valladolid who gained fame composing verses for Larra's funeral. He represents conservative Romanticism. His works include:

• Poetry: Margarita la tornera, A buen juez, mejor testigo.
• Plays: El zapatero y el rey, Traidor, inconfeso y mártir, and the famous Don Juan Tenorio.

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

From Seville, a key figure of late Romanticism. His main works are:

• Rimas: Poems centered on themes like exalted love, and reflections on poetry and poetic language.
• Leyendas: Prose works with legendary themes.

Rosalía de Castro

A major poet of the 19th century from Galicia, known especially for her work in Galician, such as Cantares gallegos.

Key Figures by Genre

• Prose (Articles): Larra
• Prose (Legends): Bécquer
• Poetry: Espronceda, Bécquer, Rosalía de Castro
• Theater: Duque de Rivas (Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino), Zorrilla (Don Juan Tenorio)

Spanish Realism & Naturalism Insights

Characteristics and main authors of Realism and Naturalism in Spain:

Realism Characteristics

• Objectivity: Aim to accurately reflect reality, characters, and their environments.
• Characters: Depicted realistically, often drawn from contemporary middle or lower classes.
• Themes: Focus on everyday life, social classes, and contemporary issues.
• Language: Dialogue and narration reflect the social status and background of characters (verisimilitude).
• Narrator: Typically omniscient, providing insights into characters' thoughts and feelings.
• Intent: Often includes a moral or social commentary.

Naturalism Characteristics

An extension or intensification of Realism, influenced by scientific thought:

• Method: Application of an experimental method and detailed observation of reality.
• Determinism: Emphasis on the influence of heredity and environment on characters.
• Themes: Often explores the more unpleasant or harsh aspects of reality, with interest in marginalized or disadvantaged groups.

Benito Pérez Galdós

A major figure whose novels reflect a progressive, liberal mindset. Key aspects of his work:

• Portrayal of the middle class and the problems of everyday life.
• Visible progressive ideology.
• Use of colloquial language appropriate to characters.
• Omniscient narrator, often alternating narration with dialogue.
• Major Works: Episodios Nacionales (chronicling Spanish history), and numerous novels categorized into periods (first period, contemporary Spanish novels, spiritualist novels).

Leopoldo Alas "Clarín"

Known for his detailed depiction of reality and characters, natural and simple language, recreation of provincial environments, and moral intent. His masterpiece is La Regenta.

Other Realist & Naturalist Novelists

• Pedro Antonio de Alarcón: El sombrero de tres picos, El pródigo.
• José María de Pereda: Sotileza, Peñas arriba.
• Juan Valera: Pepita Jiménez, Juanita la Larga.
• Emilia Pardo Bazán: A key introducer of Naturalism. Works include Los pazos de Ulloa, Madre Naturaleza.
• Vicente Blasco Ibáñez: Arroz y tartana, Cañas y barro.

European Literary Context

Spanish Realism and Naturalism developed alongside major European literary movements, with influential authors such as:

• France: Flaubert (Madame Bovary), Balzac (La Comédie humaine).
• England: Dickens (Oliver Twist).
• Russia: Tolstoy (War and Peace), Dostoyevsky (Crime and Punishment).