Unit 4: The 19th Century — Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism

Tradition

The adherence to established customs and practices, particularly in relationship to monarchy and Catholicism during 19th century Spain.

Modernity

The embrace of new ideas, particularly liberalism and science, contrasting with tradition.

The War of Independence (1808-1814)

A conflict where Spain fought against Napoleon's invasion, leading to increased nationalism.

Disaster of 1898

The culmination of Spain losing most of its colonies, reflecting a feeling of decline.

Political Instability

Developing tensions between liberals and conservatives that led to conflicts like the Carlist Wars.

Industrialization

The late arrival of industrial development in Spain, causing a division between urban and rural populations.

Romanticism (Early 19th C)

An artistic movement opposing Enlightenment logic, emphasizing emotion, freedom, and individuality.

Realism (Mid-to-Late 19th C)

A literary movement reacting against Romanticism, focused on observation, logic, and the middle class.

Naturalism (Late 19th C)

An evolution of Realism influenced by Darwinian science, emphasizing determinism.

Lo Sublime

A feeling of awe mixed with fear, often evoked in Romantic literature by nature's overwhelming power.

Subjetivismo (Subjectivity)

The focus on the individual's perspective, where the poet's feelings shape the reality portrayed.

La Falacia Patética (Pathetic Fallacy)

The attribution of emotions to nature, reflecting the poet's state.

Evasión

The use of literature as an escape from harsh reality, often into exotic or historical settings.

En una tempestad

A poem by José María Heredia, exemplifying Romantic themes with a focus on the sublime.

Silva

A poetic form comprising a combination of heptasílabos (7 syllables) and endecasílabos (11 syllables) with irregular rhyme.

Apóstrofe

A literary device where the speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn’t present.

Metonimia

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it.

Prosopopeya (Personification)

Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.

Asíndeton

A rhetorical device involving the omission of conjunctions to create a faster rhythm.

Metaphor (The Bull)

A comparison that suggests the storm holds its breath like a bull preparing to charge.

Rima LIII

A poem by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, reflecting themes of cyclical time and lost love.

Silva arromanzada

A variation of silva with alternating syllable counts and assonant rhyme.

Anáfora

A literary device involving the repetition of a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses.

Hipérbaton

A reordering of the expected word arrangement for emphasis.

Pie Quebrado

A broken rhythm in poetry created by alternating long and short lines.

Paralelismo

The use of similar structures in corresponding parts of a poem or text.

Objetividad

The focus on neutrality and fact in storytelling, particularly in Realism.

Verosimilitud

The quality of being believable or realistic in narrative.

Costumbrismo

A focus on the customs and manners of a particular social group in literature.

Determinismo

The theory that all actions are determined by preceding events, limiting free will.

Medio ambiente

Environmental conditions that influence individual fate in Naturalism.

Herencia

Genetic factors that influence an individual's life and experiences.

Las medias rojas

A tragic story by Emilia Pardo Bazán about a young girl facing violence and societal constraints.

Cromatismo (Symbolism of Color)

The use of colors to symbolize concepts, such as hope or despair in literature.

Dialect/Regionalism

The use of local dialects and speech patterns to enhance realism in literature.

Media Res

A narrative that begins in the middle of the action.

Implicit Social Critique

A critique embedded in the narrative without direct judgment from the narrator.

Determined Fate

The outcome of characters in Naturalist literature being shaped by their environment and heredity.

Philosophy of Romanticism

An artistic perspective valuing emotion, idealism, and the individual experience.

Philosophy of Realism

A focus on positivism, rational thought, and reflections of society.

Philosophy of Naturalism

Emphasizes determinism and the influence of biological and environmental factors.

Tone of Romanticism

Characterized as melancholic, passionate, and dramatic.

Tone of Realism

Objective, critical, and observational in nature.

Tone of Naturalism

Pessimistic and detached, often taking a scientific approach.

Nature in Romanticism

Seen as a reflection of personal emotions and human experiences.

Nature in Realism

Acts mainly as a backdrop for human action.

Nature in Naturalism

Presented as a hostile force or a trap that determines fate.